The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Conventional tillage, extreme climate events, increasing weed incidence, pest and disease pressures, and diminished farm input availability negatively impact crop yield, stability, profitability, and water productivity in South Asia’s rice-wheat (R-W) systems. This article reviews and evaluates the effectiveness and benefits of conservation agriculture (CA) practices in improving soil health, water productivity, and sustainability in R-W systems. CA practices focus on minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotations. Techniques such as direct seeding in rice and zero tillage in wheat are employed, supported by advancements in zero tillage sowing machinery like super-seeders. CA practices contribute significantly to ecosystem health by conserving soil and water, enhancing soil quality, reducing erosion, and improving nutrient use efficiency. They also lower production costs, increase water use efficiency, stabilize yields, promote crop diversification, and mitigate climate change effects through carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, initial challenges include increased weed pressure and the need for suitable rice varieties for direct seeding. In conclusion, CA practices support sustainable and climate-resilient farming, improving land and water productivity, food security, and on-farm profits. Despite the benefits and growing government support, widespread adoption in South Asia remains limited. Effective support systems, including incentives, technical knowledge dissemination, and integrated weed management, are crucial for overcoming barriers and enhancing CA adoption in R-W systems.

This study uses agency theory to examine how board size, compensation committee, and CEO duality align the pay-performance relationship with long-term sustainability performance. We examined companies from nine Asian emerging economies with a sustainability score greater than 0.50 between 2010 and 2019. The findings support the pay-performance relationship proposed by agency theory in the presence of a robust governance structure. The relationship is more significant in firms with high ESG scores. Our study claimed that the compensation committee has a significant role in aligning sustainability objectives with CEO compensation, which improves the firm's market and financial performance. However, board size has no discernible impact on the CEO pay-performance relationship. CEO duality negatively affects this alignment since the CEO misuses their power to influence the compensation committee's role in tying sustainability agendas with the CEO's pay performance framework. Furthermore, CEO compensation is significantly impacted by firm size, which is justified by the complexity and increased responsibilities associated with managing larger firms. Conclusively, this investigation suggests that the inconclusive evidence on CEO compensation around the world should be studied with governance mechanisms. This study advances knowledge of agency theory and the connection between sustainability performance and compensation. The findings of the study highlight the role of governance structure in aligning executive compensation with sustainability to improve long-term performance. These findings suggest policymakers promote strong governance mechanisms that reduce the CEO's power to influence the board and enhance the independence of the compensation committee to independently design the executive compensation package essential for aligning executive pay with sustainability performance.

Sustainable crop production with less available water is the most emerging challenge at present and in near future. There is dire need to develop techniques that give more yield with less available water. Among various techniques, the use of mulch and partial root zone drying (PRD) is easiest to implement. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the sole and combined effect of these techniques to manage water deficit in wheat. Experiment was comprised of four mulch treatments (M 0 = no mulch, M 1 = black polythene mulch, M 2 = wheat residue straw mulch and M 4 = cotton sticks mulch) and two irrigation techniques (I 1 = Normal watering and I 2 = PRD technique) organized in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement. The results revealed that less water applied at critical wheat growth stages slowdown the normal pace of important physiological processes (relative water contents, chlorophyll contents, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis,) than control irrigation treatment, but activities of important antioxidant enzymes like ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were higher in PRD-treated plants which minimize the harmful impact of water deficit in PRD treatment. More activities of antioxidant enzymes were noted at reproductive growth stages (anthesis and grain filling) of wheat than vegetative growth stages (tillering and booting). All studied mulch materials also markedly alleviate the harmful effects of water deficit on various physiological growth stages of wheat, with best results were achieved with black plastic mulch. Maximum yield (5.10 tonnes/ha −1) and water use efficiency (2.85 kg ha −1 mm −1) were recorded in combination of black plastic mulch with PRD technique. It was concluded that combined application of mulches with PRD was more effective for water conservation, more water use efficiency and higher wheat yield than sole application of either treatment.

This study aimed to develop solid lipid nanoparticles containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU loaded PGSLNs) to achieve desired physicochemical properties and to enhance in vitro cytotoxicity against monolayered and 3D spheroid skin tumor models. 5-FU loaded PGSLNs were prepared via cold homogenization using Glyceryl Palmitostearate (GP) and Geleol® as solid lipids and Poloxamer 188 and Tween 80 as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. The developed nanoparticles were then physicochemically characterized, and cytotoxicity was evaluated against monolayered and 3D spheroid skin tumor models using the Cell TiterBlue® Assay and Cell-Titre Glo assays, respectively. The cellular uptake behavior of nanoparticles against monolayered and 3D spheroid tumor models was studied through flow cytometric analysis and fluorescence microscopic analysis. Nanoparticle sizes ranged from 116.3 ± 1.19 to 235.13 ± 1.15 nm, with a PDI < 0.45, and zeta potential was found to be between − 33.67 ± 0.40 and − 19.37 ± 0.25. FTIR analysis revealed no chemical interactions among components, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry showed the thermal stability of the drug in nanoparticles. The in vitro drug release profile depicted biphasic release behavior, with 30–35% burst release within 3 h and sustained release for 48 h. Enhanced cytotoxicity was observed against monolayered skin tumor models (B16F10, A375, and A431) and a 3D spheroid skin tumor model (A431). Rhodamine-labeled PGSLNs showed increased uptake in monolayered models via fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, with enhanced uptake in 3D spheroid models confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The hemocompatibility assay indicated the safety of nanoparticles at physiological levels. The designed solid lipid nanoparticles significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU against monolayered and 3D spheroid skin tumor models and can be used as promising approach for skin cancer.

Positive feelings about one’s work are referred to as job satisfaction. On the other hand, a bad attitude regarding one's employment is job discontent. In mainstream research, studies on work satisfaction are commonplace. There have been thousands of research done all around the world. Teachers at secondary schools in Pakistan are taking the lead in conducting research on work satisfaction, despite the fact that this field is still underutilized. The current study’s goal was to find out how satisfied male and female instructors were with their jobs in Bahawalpur, Pakistan’s private and public secondary schools. Teachers employed at Pakistan’s public and private schools in Bahawalpur were the study’s targeted demographic, which was chosen for this cross-sectional quantitative investigation. Random sampling was used in the selection of the research sample. There were five hundred male and female secondary school teachers in the final sample. The survey was self-administered using a 36-item structured questionnaire by good docs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the data analysis to examine the collected information. The participants were categorized based on their age, gender, experience, qualifications, and type of institution (public vs. private) in order to determine the difference in work satisfactions using one-way ANOVA and an independent sample t-test. The findings showed that compared to male instructors, female teachers had higher levels of satisfaction. The research investigated that different public and private school teachers' work satisfactions are based on factors including age, experience, and qualifications. The research findings may not be applicable to other school districts and a sizable population living in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The author selected a broad sample of teachers (male/female) from public and private schools. The current study was to characterize the elements that lead to teacher satisfaction and discontent among secondary school instructors in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

A density functional theory‐based study on the physical properties of significant double perovskite oxides Sr2GeCrO6, Sr2MgMoO6, Ba2MgMoO6, Ba2ZnMoO6, and Ba2HgWO6 has been conducted using the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package and WIEN2K code. Structural analysis reveals the simple cubic crystal structure of double perovskite oxides. Phonon properties indicate the dynamical stability of Sr2GeCrO6, Ba2MgMoO6, and Ba2ZnMoO6 compounds. The band structure analysis indicates the metallic character of Sr2GeCrO6. However, generalized gradient approximation of Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof and modified Becke–Johnson both suggest the indirect semiconducting nature of Ba2MgMoO6 and Ba2ZnMoO6. The crystal orbital Hamilton population (–COHP) examination evidences the strongest bonding interactions of O–Ba in these perovskite oxides. Both Ba2MgMoO6 and Ba2ZnMoO6 compounds exhibit p‐type character, as indicated by the partial charge density distributions in the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) orbitals, which govern the band edges near Fermi level. LUMO orbitals are located on Mo and O atoms and are composed of heteronuclear s‐ and p‐type interactions. The investigation comprehensively analyzes calculated optoelectronic properties, including complex dielectric function, optical conductivity, loss function, refractive index, and so on. These parameters are examined in detail, offering profound insights into the materials’ optical and electronic characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of salicylic acid (SA) on wheat subjected to cadmium (Cd) stress. The experiments were conducted during the winter season of 2022-2023 (November to February) at the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. The study involved four wheat varieties: Akbar-2019, Galaxy-2013, Ujala-16, and Chakwal-86. The study utilized a factorial design with three replicates, examining three Cd levels (0.1 mM, 0.2 mM, and 0.3 mM) and two SA levels (0.5 mM and 0.9 mM). SA was applied as a seed priming agent, while cadmium sulfate (CdSO4) solution induced Cd toxicity. Various growth parameters, including plant height, total plant length, leaf length, leaf breadth, and leaf area, were measured alongside physiological and biochemical parameters such as total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, oxidative stress indicators (MDA and H2O2), and antioxidants (total soluble protein, CAT, and APX)—to assess the effects of SA under Cd stress. The results indicated that the application of 0.5 mM SA resulted in the highest vegetative growth and maximum physiological and biochemical parameters, while 0.3 mM Cd significantly reduced growth. The performance of the treatments was observed in the following order: 0.5 mM SA > 0.3 mM Cd. Ujala-16 showed intermediate growth and yield, while Chakwal-86 had the lowest growth rate and yield. The study demonstrated that SA mitigates Cd stress effects, with 0.9 mM SA and 0.1 mM Cd yielding the highest growth, second only to 0.5- and 0.9-mM SA treatments. These findings underscore the potential of SA to enhance wheat growth and yield in Cd-contaminated soils. In conclusion, SA is suggested as a beneficial treatment for improving productivity and economic returns in Cd-stressed areas. Future recommendations include conducting long-term studies to evaluate cumulative treatment effects and investigating how salicylic acid mitigates cadmium stress through biochemical pathways and gene expression, enhancing agricultural practices.

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring metalloid that is present in the earth's crust, soil, water, and air. It can be found in various forms, including organic and inorganic compounds. Inorganic arsenic is considered more toxic than organic arsenic and is known to cause serious health problems such as cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, it is important to understand the sources and types of arsenic, as well as its toxicity, to mitigate its harmful effects on human health and the environment. To assess the potential risk of arsenic exposure, the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) is used, which measures the concentration of arsenic in waste materials. This method is used by regulatory agencies to classify waste as hazardous or non-hazardous. Various approaches have been developed to mitigate arsenic contamination in the environment. One of the promising methods is the use of advanced materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and their hybrids. These materials have unique properties such as high surface area, high reactivity, and selectivity towards arsenic, making them effective in removing arsenic from water and soil. CNTs, GO, MOFs, COFs, and their hybrids have been extensively studied for their ability to remove arsenic from contaminated water sources. They can be used as adsorbents, catalysts, or membranes to remove arsenic. The effectiveness of these materials depends on various factors such as their structure, surface chemistry, and the presence of other contaminants in the water. In conclusion, arsenic contamination is a serious environmental and public health concern, and the mitigation of its harmful effects requires an understanding of its sources, types, and toxicity. Advanced materials such as CNTs, GO, MOFs, COFs, and their hybrids offer a promising solution to arsenic contamination by effectively removing it from water and soil. However, further research is needed to optimize the properties of these materials and to develop practical applications for their use in real-world scenarios.

Background The button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of the ecological dominance of Conocarpus erectus across various habitats, highlighting its adaptability and success throughout the country of Pakistan. We collected twelve populations from four distinct ecological regions, including artificial forest plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and wastelands, offering a comprehensive assessment of C. erectus adaptability across diverse environmental contexts. Results Forest plantation populations exhibited impressive shoot growth and moderate root lengths, with plants generally tall and well-weighted. Physiologically, they had moderate chlorophyll content and low carotenoid levels, with a balanced chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating stable photosynthetic activity. Anatomically, these populations had thicker epidermal and cortical root layers but smaller vascular bundles and phloem regions. Stem and leaf structures were generally moderate in size, with thicker midribs and cortical layers in the leaves. Agricultural field populations showed robust shoot and root systems with balanced fresh and dry biomass. They exhibited high chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, indicating strong photosynthetic capacity. Root and stem anatomy revealed larger root areas, thicker cortex, and wide vascular bundles, reflecting enhanced structural development. Leaves from these populations had moderate midrib and cortical thickness, with larger stomatal areas, promoting efficient gas exchange. Roadside populations displayed deeper roots and reduced biomass production. These populations adapted to environmental stress through leaf expansion, with high leaf numbers and areas. Physiologically, populations had high chlorophyll content, with a high chlorophyll a/b ratio. Root and stem anatomy showed compact structures with smaller vascular bundles, indicating adaptation to harsher conditions. Leaf anatomy was moderate, with smaller vascular bundles and reduced water transport capacity. Wasteland populations exhibited poor growth and high shoot biomass despite small leaves. Physiologically, these populations had the highest total soluble protein and proline contents, reflecting stress adaptation. Anatomically, root and stem structures were variable, with some populations showing reduced cortical cell areas and smaller vascular bundles, indicating limited resource transport. Leaf structures had thicker lamina, thinner epidermal layers, and lower stomatal densities, reflecting adaptation to nutrient-poor soils. Conclusion This study reveals the adaptability and thriving potential of Conocarpus erectus across varied habitats, providing key insights into its resilience and survival strategies. Understanding these adaptive traits can support habitat restoration, conservation planning, and improve species management in diverse environmental conditions, especially in response to climate change and habitat degradation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40529-024-00440-0.

Lead (Pb) is a stress that can cause problems with several aspects of a plant’s metabolism, potentially impeding the plant’s ability to grow and develop. The use of gibberellic acid (GA3), quantum dot biochar (QDBC), and rhizobacteria (RB) can be effective methods to overcome this problem. Gibberellic acid is a crucial plant hormone that regulates plant growth, cell division, tissue differentiation, flowering, photosynthesis, and transpiration rate. It also significantly impacts crop resilience to stress, affecting plant morphology, enzymatic activity, and physiology. Biochar, a soil supplement, enhances plant development soil health, and reduces stress effects. Due to its large surface area and porosity, it increases soil water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and microbial activity. Quantum dots, semiconductor nanoparticles, have been proposed as a potential method to alleviate plant stress by acting as antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress, and controlling nutrient and growth regulators. Rhizobacteria, soil bacteria in plant roots, stimulate plant growth, nutrient absorption, and harvesting capacity. They produce phytohormones, increase mineral and nitrogen accessibility, and can induce systemic resistance (ISR), affecting plant defense. This study investigates the effects of combining GA3, QDBC, and RB as amendments to fenugreek, both with 500 Pb stress and without Pb stress. Treatments (control, 0.25 GA3mg/L-QDBC, 0.5 GA3mg/L-QDBC, 0.25 GA3mg/L-QDBC + RB, and 0.5 GA3mg/L-QDBC + RB) were applied in six replications using a completely randomized design. Results demonstrate that the combination of 0.5 GA3mg/L-QDBC + RB with 500 Pb stress led to significant enhancements in fenugreek shoot fresh weight (15.62%), root fresh weight (73.53%), shoot dry weight (24.00%), and root dry weight (36.53%) compared to the control. Additionally, there were notable improvements in chlorophyll a (57.23%), chlorophyll b (19.21%), and total chlorophyll (36.23%) compared to the control under Pb stress, also showing the potential of 0.5 GA3mg/L-QDBC + RB with 500 Pb stress. The study suggests that combining 0.5 GA3mg/L-QDBC + RB with 500 Pb stress can effectively mitigate Pb stress in fenugreek.

Alternative energy sources are not merely clean and renewable but are extremely efficient in replacing fossil fuels and limiting global warming. Among energy storage devices supercapacitors offer high energy storage and fast charge–discharge process with good rate capability. This research is focused on developing a nanocomposite electrode for supercapacitors to enhance the lifetime and energy storage capacity. Ag2O nanoparticles anchored multiwalled carbon nanotubes electrode material Ag2O/MWCNT is synthesized by hydrothermal method. XRD analysis confirms the hexagonal phase of MWCNTs and the cubic phase of Ag2O. SEM micrographs show the encapsulation of metal nanoparticles on MWCNTs surface. The absorbance spectra indicate the shifting of the characteristic absorption peak of MWCNTs towards a longer wavelength. Tauc plot reveals a redshift in bandgap from 2.8 eV to 2.6 eV. The Raman spectra reveal the presence of D, G, and 2D bands, indicating defective states, while the observed shifting of bands demonstrates the successful synthesis of Ag2O/MWCNTs. The electrochemical measurements in a 1 M solution of KOH at a scan rate of 10 mVs⁻¹ exhibit a specific capacitance of 376 F g⁻¹. GCD curves offer a specific capacitance of 312 F g⁻¹ and an energy density of 43.33 Wh kg⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ with a power density of 500 W Kg⁻¹. Moreover, the impedance analysis of Ag2O/MWCNTs electrode shows a charge transfer and electrolyte solution resistance of 14.28 Ω and 2.75 Ω respectively as determined from the Nyquist plot. The electrochemical performance suggests that the Ag2O/MWCNTs nanocomposite holds significant potential to be used as an electrode material for energy storage applications.

Coconut coir was explored as economical sorbent for the adsorptive removal of lanthanum ion (La3+) from aqueous media. Both column and batch studies were conducted to assess the effective removal of La3+ on coconut coir by optimizing different adsorption variables such as bed height, flow rate, pH, adsorbent dosage, shaking time, initial metal concentration, and temperature. Characterization of coconut coir was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR, and BET studies prior and subsequent to adsorption. The effective removal of La3+ was defined in certain media by the pHzpc, which was found to be 5.7 ± 0.1. The optimum 94.04 ± 0.2% adsorption of La3+ on coconut coir was observed by shaking 4 cm3 of 90 mol/L solution of La3+ with 0.3 g adsorbent dose for 10 min at neutral pH. The Langmuir adsorption capacity was found to be 𝑞𝑒=2.88±0.02 𝑚𝑔 𝑔−1 and Freundlich adsorption capacity was KF =0.1294±0.03 𝑚𝑔 𝑔−1. The pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models provided an ideal fit for the adsorption process. The column analysis also showed direct correlation of bed height and initial metal concentration with % adsorption, while % removal decreased as flow rate increased. The high regression coefficient values confirm that the BDST model is in line with the test data. Van’t Hoff equation proved the spontaneous endothermic process. Effect of external ions and desorption are also studied. The results suggest that coconut coir is a cost effective and efficient bio-sorbent for La3+ ion adsorption from aqueous solution.

This study presents a comprehensive comparison of battery-only, passive, and semi-active hybrid energy storage system (HESS) topologies for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Despite numerous studies on HESS topologies for EVs, there remains a lack of consensus regarding the optimal topology, with limited attempts to address this gap through comprehensive comparisons. Previous research has focused on comparing different semi-active topologies through simulations, neglecting passive approaches and employing best-case scenarios for the energy management system (EMS), disregarding widely used rule-based power follower strategies. The present study aims to address the research gap by conducting a comprehensive comparison of battery-only, passive, and semi-active topologies for a realistic EV application case, focusing on their ability to enhance DC bus voltage stability, RMS battery current, and maximum battery current. The performance of these topologies is evaluated through simulations and experimental validation, with the system under investigation based on the parameters of an electrically converted vehicle. Results show that while the passive HESS topology delivers excellent RMS battery current performance, comparable to the semi-active SC/battery system, it falls short in reducing the maximum battery peak current where the semi-active topologies excel. Additionally, both passive and semi-active SC/battery topologies significantly improve the standard deviation and variation of the DC bus voltage. This study highlights the importance of topology selection in reducing battery degradation in EVs, contributing to the understanding of topology-dependent characteristics, power flow control, discharge rates of the battery pack, and DC bus voltage stability in HESS for EVs.

Exploration of genetic diversity in wild relative is ideal strategy for improving wheat cultivars to drought stress conditions in breeding program. Aegilops tauschii (goat grass) is a diploid (2n = 2x = 14, DD) wild species, thought as the D genome contributor to bread wheat. In this study the genetic diversity of 32 Ae. tauschii accessions collected from different provinces of Pakistan were assessed using 28 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In addition to genetic analysis, we also investigated their antioxidants enzymes (Superoxide dismutase, SOD; Peroxidase, POD) responses for osmotic stress tolerance, induced by polyethylene glycol in completely randomized design (CRD). The variations in antioxidant enzymes activities among accessions ranged in between 4.97 (POD) and 112.02% (SOD), under osmotic stress conditions. High variability and positive correlations of SOD and POD with osmotic stress tolerance, indicated diversity among Ae. tauschii accessions and could be used as selection criteria. Additionally, molecular characterization through SSR markers revealed high genetic variation among accessions and supported the SOD and POD based diversity. A total of 137 alleles were observed with the mean values of 4.89 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.21 (Barc142) to 0.85 (Barc124) with an average value of 0.59. The genetic distance coefficient range was between 0.25 and 0.93. All accession were clustered by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean UPGMA. The accessions did not align with their geographical regions, thereby suggesting that there is not any relationship between molecular diversity and eco-geographic diversity.

Developing sustainable and eco-friendly methods for nanoparticle (NP) production in an era of environmental consciousness is crucial. This study introduces a novel approach to synthesizing silver (Ag) NPs using Citrus paradisi leaves extract (CPLE) as a green precursor at optimum conditions of the AgNO3 (2 mM) with CPLE in 1:3 ratio, at pH 14 and 80 °C temperature for reaction time of 4 h. The CP@AgNPs were formed and stabilized by Naringen, a major Citrus paradisi component. CP@AgNPs were thoroughly characterized through ultraviolet−visible (UV−vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging techniques. CP@AgNPs demonstrated SPR peak at 450 nm, face cubic crystal structure, the average size of 8 nm, rod-shaped particle adsorbed on quasi-spherical shaped agglomerated NPs, significantly impacting both environmental and biomedical fields. In the catalytic degradation experiment, an application for environment pollutant reducer, CP@AgNPs, achieved an impressive 85% degradation efficiency of the methyl orange (MO) dye, showcasing their potential as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. Additionally, CP@AgNPs exhibited potent anti-biofilm properties, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.13 and 0.12 mg/ml against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), respectively, indicating their promise in addressing biofilm-related issues in healthcare and industrial settings. CP@AgNPs also displayed exceptional antioxidant potential with IC50 values of 2.02, 0.07, and 0.035 mg/ml for CPLE, CP@AgNPs, and ascorbic acid, respectively, in scavenging DPPH radical, suggesting their utility in biomedical applications for mitigating oxidative stress. Notably, the bio-activity results of CP@AgNPs surpassed those of CP leaf extract, highlighting the enhanced properties achieved through this green synthesis approach. This study provides a sustainable and environmental remediation to biomedical science. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-024-79514-9.

The current study aimed to construct the growth curve and find the best-fitting non-linear model for the Nili-Ravi buffalo calves. The pedigree and monthly body weight data for 6644 calves born between 2010 and 2020 (inclusive) in six herds, maintained in different geographical regions of Punjab were collected. The study was performed under a longitudinal design and various non-linear models were used to associate the age with weight by using the easyreg package in R studio. Finally, the genetic parameters of growth curve were estimated through the bi-variate sire model in ASReml (v4.2). The model with the highest value of coefficient of determination and the lowest values of Akaike’s information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and root-mean-square error was considered as the best fit for defining the growth curve. The Brody model was found as the best fitted model with the values of 0.6648, 627871.80, 627908.10, and 30.793 for the R²adj, AIC, BIC, & RMSE respectively, for the combined dataset. The values of growth curve parameters for the Brody model were 943.99 ± 101.38Kg (A), 0.96 ± 0.004Kg (B), and 0.0005 ± 0.00Kg (K) for all animals. A higher K-value of females indicates their early maturity compared with male animals in this breed. The heritability estimates for the growth curve traits were low, while the values of genetic correlations were higher than those of phenotypic correlations. The data revealed that Asymptotic weight (A) and birth weight (B) were positively correlated with each other, while the rate of maturity (K) was negatively correlated with initial and final body weights.

The family Solanaceae is cosmopolitan, comprising of almost 90 genera and 3000 to 4000 species across the world whereas Pakistan is hosting 14 genera and 50 species. Solanaceae is one of the most economically and environmentally significant plant families, with crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Despite their importance, the genetic diversity and evolutionary links of Solanaceae are understudied. A key group in plant evolution and diversification. Despite its significance, genetic diversity within this family is understudied. In the present study rps14 gene from 20 selected species belonging to nine genera of family Solanaceae was amplified, sequenced and analyzed for the elucidation of phylogenetic relationship. The sequence data was analyzed using MEGA7, I-TASSER and SAVES. The dendrogram revealed evolutionary distance of 0.05 with mean genetic distance of 0.04 among the selected species depicted closed relationship. Moreover, value of genetic diversity was found to be in the range of 0.007 to 0.086. Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens has shown lowest whereas Cestrum diurnum and Solanum lycopersicum showed highest divergence value. 3D protein structure for rps14 of 20 species predicted by I-TASSER having highest C-score were selected for furthermore analysis using Ramachandran plots. 3D protein models depicted that rps14 protein from Solanum nigrum, Solanum lycopersicum, Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum virginianum, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Cestrum diurnum, Datura inoxia, Physalis minima and Withania coagulens have the best quality structure with less than ≥ 2.0% residues in outlier region and can be used furthermore for the application of different bioinformatics tool. In future, additional DNA markers should be used for resolving the complex evolutionary and taxonomic relationship of Solanaceae along with morphological and anatomical characterization. The research is not enough to stand alone to validate the viability of the rps14 gene as a prospective contender for phylogenetic analysis. İn future we will focus on the maximum genetic diversity theory for phylogenetic analysis of this family.

Food additives are substances intentionally added to products to achieve desired functional properties. Many enzymes are commercially utilized as food additives in food processing to maintain or improve food products’ physicochemical and sensory properties. Enzymes also produce food ingredients through enzymatic reactions such as synthesis, hydrolysis and biocatalysis. The research efforts are ongoing to improve the properties of enzymes, such as catalytic efficiencies, thermostabilities and specificities. The utilization of enzymes in the food industry has surged with the advent of advanced technologies such as recombinant DNA and protein engineering. The production of enzymes using advanced techniques offers a technological advantage over enzymes produced through conventional techniques without altering the sensory attributes of food products. This chapter of the book covers the production of enzymes, applications of enzymes for food product development, preparation of food ingredients through enzymatic reaction, and antimicrobial properties of enzymes.