Search Results (174)

The growing global population and increasing agricultural demands have made nitrogen fertilizers essential for modern agriculture. However, nearly 50% of applied nitrogen fertilizers are lost to the environment, causing pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs), combining biochar with chemical fertilizers, enhance nutrient efficiency, boost crop yields, and reduce N₂O emissions. However, comprehensive field studies on BBF impacts remain limited. This study uses a global dataset of BBF field experiments to build predictive models with three machine learning algorithms for crop yields and N₂O emissions, and to assess BBFs’ potential to increase yields and mitigate emissions in China’s major crops. The artificial neural network (ANN) model outperformed random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) in predicting N₂O emissions (R²: 0.99; EF: 0.99), while all models showed high accuracy for crop yields (R², EF: 0.98–0.99). Variable importance analysis revealed that BBF C/N and BBF N/Mineral N explained 4.25% and 3.95% of yield variation, and 3.19% and 0.55% of N₂O emission variation, respectively. BBFs could increase China’s major crop yields by 4.3–5.0% and reduce N₂O emissions by 3.7–6.3%, based on simulations. Challenges like high costs and limited adaptability persist, necessitating optimized production, standardized protocols, and expanded trials. Full article

Various industrial and agricultural activities have led to significant organic pollution in soil, posing an ongoing threat to both soil ecosystems and human health. Among the available remediation methods, phytoremediation and biochar remediation are recognized as sustainable and low-impact approaches. However, individual remediation methods often have limitations, such as plant susceptibility to adverse soil conditions and the desorption of pollutants from biochar. Therefore, integrating biochar with phytoremediation for the remediation of organic-contaminated soils provides a complementary approach that addresses the drawbacks of applying each method alone. The key mechanism of this combined technology lies in the ability of biochar to enhance plant resilience, plant absorption of pollutants, and the degradation capacity of rhizosphere microorganisms. Simultaneously, plants can completely degrade pollutants adsorbed by biochar or present in the soil, either directly or indirectly, through root exudates. This review systematically explores the mechanisms underlying the interactions between biochar and phytoremediation, reviews the progress of their application in the remediation of organic-contaminated soils, and discusses the associated challenges and prospects. Full article

This article presents a computational analysis of approximate solutions for the time-fractional nonlinear Kawahara problem (KP) and the modified Kawahara problem (modified KP). This study utilizes the natural homotopy transform scheme (NHTS), which integrates the natural transform (NT) with the homotopy perturbation scheme (HPS). We derive the algebraic expression of nonlinear terms through the implementation of HPS. The fractional derivatives are considered in the Caputo form. Numerical results and visualizations present the practical interest and effectiveness of the fractional derivatives. The accuracy of the approximate results, coupled with their precise outcomes, emphasizes the reliability of the method. These findings demonstrate that NHTS is a robust and effective approach for solving time-fractional problems through series expansions. Full article

Peanut yield and quality are often threatened by soil degradation under continuous cropping. Biochar has been known to improve the soil microbial community and plant resistance. However, studies on its functions to reduce soil degradation losses and improve the peanut yield are limited. A field peanut experiment was conducted in an Alfisol soil and biochar was applied at a rate of 20 t ha⁻¹ in 2022. The biochar was prepared from woodchip (WB) and maize straw (MB) feedstocks alone, as well as with co-composted biochar of the same feedstocks with pig manure labeled as WBSC and MBSC amendment, respectively. The conventional organic manure was applied as a control treatment (OM). All plots were base-fertilized with a mineral compound fertilizer of N-P₂O₅-K₂O (16-16-16, %) at 600 kg ha⁻¹. Topsoil (20 cm) and plant samples were collected at the time of peanut harvest. Soil quality, enzyme function, peanut growth traits, microbial abundance, and community composition were analyzed. Compared to OM, peanut yields increased by 22%, 23%, and 18% under WB, WBSC, and MBSC, respectively. The content of oleic acid increased by 4–5%, while the content of linoleic acid decreased by 7–9%, respectively, under biochar–compost treatments. However, biochar amendment alone showed non-significant changes in these fatty acids. The soil extracellular enzyme activity increased by 3.7–5.5% with biochar amendments and 6.4–10.1% with biochar–compost application. The enzyme activity ratio of hydrolase to non-hydrolase, of C cycling to N cycling, and of P cycling increased by 11.4–15.9%, 20.9–33.8%, and 14.7–23.5% under biochar amendments and by 20.5–25.0%, 17.4–39.0%, and 23.5–32.3% under biochar–compost, respectively. Overall, crop residue biochar enhanced peanut yield and quality by improving soil aggregation, enzyme functionality, and fungal community in line with the soil nutrient supply. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs) are a class of carbon-based nanomaterials undergoing rapid development with broad potential applications across diverse biomedical fields. These materials are highly attractive for diagnostics, therapeutics, and nanomedicine due to their remarkable optical and physicochemical properties, including photoluminescence, biocompatibility, and aqueous dispersibility. CDs can be synthesized using various techniques, ranging from top-down to bottom-up approaches. Among these, biogenic synthesis, utilizing natural sources and waste materials, presents an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative. CDs have exhibited considerable promise in diagnostics, especially with bioimaging and biosensing, providing both high sensitivity and precise identification. CDs are presently being investigated in the pharmaceutical sector for their potential applications in cancer and infection treatment, as well as in photodynamic and thermal therapies. The advancement of CD composites, through enhanced functionality and broader application, facilitates novel research in nanomedicine. This article highlights the advantages of CDs, focusing on their structural properties, classification, and versatility in synthesis methods. Furthermore, the safety and toxicity profiles of CDs are critically analyzed. In conclusion, the innocuity, adaptability, and multifunctionality of CDs position them as a cornerstone in the advancement of nanotechnology and biomedical applications. With their broad applicability and promising potential, CDs stand poised to drive significant innovation across diagnostics, therapeutics, and other domains, heralding a new era in nanomedicine and sustainable material development. Full article

Citrus fruit peels are a rich source of essential oils (EOs), which contain biologically active compounds; however, they are often discarded as waste, which causes pollution. The fresh peels of eight citrus cultivars growing in Pakistan were used to extract EOs through steam distillation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of fresh peel EOs revealed that limonene was the most abundant compound, constituting 94.5%, 96.1%, 95.3%, 93.3%, 56.2%, 91.5%, 96.4%, and 96.7% of Citrus jambhiri, C. aurantium, C. sinensis var. Malta cv. Blood Malta, C. sinensis var. Malta cv. Shakri Malta, C. limon, C. pseudolimon, C. reticulata var. Mandarin cv. Feutrell’s Early, and C. reticulata var. Mandarin cv. Kinnow, respectively. The dried peel EO of C. reticulata var. Mandarin cv. Kinnow contained 95.2% limonene. C. limon peel EO exhibited the highest antibacterial activity among all citrus peel EOs with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 312 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. The C. aurantium and C. sinensis var. Malta cv. Shakri Malta peel EOs exhibited the highest mosquito repellent activity against Ae. aegypti females, providing protection for 45 min when tested at a concentration of 166 µg/cm². This study showed C. aurantium and Shakri Malta peel EOs could be used to formulate natural mosquito repellent. Full article

The eggshell quality traits in avian species, including Yunnong chickens (YN), are crucial for commercial and breeding purposes. The use of advanced biotechnologies, such as gene sequencing, has become increasingly common for identifying genetic markers and comparing specific traits in livestock. However, genetic markers related to eggshell traits in YN chickens remain unexplored. This study aimed to compare eggshell quality traits and identify genetic markers in YN chickens versus commercial Jingfen chickens (JF). A total of 400 chicks (200 per breed) were reared for 300 days under controlled conditions. At the end, 60 eggs from each breed were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to examine eggshell cross-sections and mammillary layer structure. Tissue samples from kidneys and eggshell glands were collected from six hens per breed for RT-qPCR analysis to study gene expression profiles. Results showed that YN chickens had significantly higher eggshell strength, thickness, mammillary density, and effective layer thickness than JF chickens (p < 0.01). Despite this, YN chickens had a thinner mammillary layer. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed five candidate genes related to eggshells (LSS, NSDHL, MSMO1, SQLE, and FDFT1) that play an important role in this process. Pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment in several biological processes, including steroid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, purine metabolism, and thiamine metabolism. Based on these results, the YN chickens have strong eggshells with better thickness, mammillary density, and effective layer thickness. In addition, genomic and pathways analysis suggest a complex interaction of metabolic, immune, and cellular processes potentially influencing eggshell quality traits in poultry. Full article

Meat quality is a complex trait that exhibits significant variation across pig breeds, and the regulatory mechanisms governing pork meat quality are not fully elucidated. We compared the transcriptomics and metabolomics of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle between the Songliao Black Pig (SBP) and Large White × Landrace Pig (LWLDP) to investigate breed-specific differences in meat quality and underlying regulatory pathways. The results showed that SBP meat had a higher marbling score and backfat thickness, a richer color, a lower shear force, and reduced drip loss. Fatty acid (FA) analysis identified 15 significant FAs in the LWLDP, with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the SBP, while amino acid (AA) analysis revealed no breed-based differences. Transcriptome analysis identified 134 upregulated and 362 downregulated genes in the SBP. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis found 25 key genes, which are associated with muscle development, fat deposition, and overall meat quality, while genes in the insulin signaling pathway, such as PPP1R3B, PPARGC1A, SOCS1, EIF4E, PRKAR2A, PRKAG2, and FASN, play a crucial role in balancing fat metabolism and catabolism. Metabolomic analysis identified 89 upregulated and 10 downregulated metabolites in the SBP, primarily involved in fructose and mannose metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, nucleotide sugar metabolism, and glucagon signaling pathways. Gene–metabolite association analysis found that the PPP1R3B gene had a strong association with Thr-Leu, Maltol, D-myo-Inositol-4-phosphate, and Fructose-6-phosphate, while MYOG correlated with Mannose-6-phosphate, Fructose-1-phosphate, Mannose-1-phosphate, and Glucose-6-phosphate. In contrast, NR4A3 and PPARGC1A showed a strong negative correlation with most upregulated metabolites. In conclusion, this study identified functional genes, elucidated the mechanisms associated with meat quality traits, and identified gene–metabolite associations involved in energy metabolism, muscle development, and fat deposition, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that regulate meat quality between pig breeds. Full article

Background: Despite extensive research over the decades, cancer therapy is still a great challenge because of the non-specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, which could be overcome by limiting the distribution of chemotherapeutic agents toward cancer cells. Objective: To reduce the cytolytic effects against cancer cells, graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) can load anticancer medicines and genetic tools. Methodology: During the current study, folic-acid-conjugated graphene oxide (Fa-GO) hybrid mucoadhesive chitosan (CS)-based hydrogel beads were fabricated through an “ion-gelation process”, which allows for regulated medication release at malignant pH. Results: The fabricated chitosan–alginate (SA-CS) hydrogel beads were examined using surface morphology, optical microscopy, XRD, FTIR, and homogeneity analysis techniques. The size analysis indicated that the size of the Fa-GO was up to 554.2 ± 95.14 nm, whereas the beads were of a micrometer size. The folic acid conjugation was confirmed by NMR. The results showed that the craggy edges of the graphene oxide were successfully encapsulated in a polymeric matrix. The mucoadhesive properties were enhanced with the increase in the CS concentration. The nanohybrid SA-CS beads exhibited good swelling properties, and the drug release was 68.29% at pH 5.6 during a 24 h investigation. The accelerated stability study, according to ICH guidelines, indicated that the hydrogel beads have a shelf-life of more than two years. Conclusions: Based on the achieved results, it can be concluded that this novel gastro-retentive delivery system may be a viable and different way to improve the stomach retention of anticancer agents and enhance their therapeutic effectiveness. Full article

Background: The lack of local availability for drugs in the colon can be addressed by preparing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) which is ultimately used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: From preformulation studies, Lauroglycol FCC (oil), Tween 80 (surfactant), Transcutol HP (co-surfactant), and Avicel (solid carrier) were selected for the preparation of blank liquid and solid Cur-loaded SMEDDSs (S-Cur-SMEDDSs). Results: Z-average size (12.36 ± 0.04 nm), zeta potential (−14.7 ± 0.08 mV), and polydispersity index (PDI) (0.155 ± 0.036) showed a comparative droplet surface area and charge of both SMEDDSs. The physicochemical stability of Cur in S-Cur-SMEDDSs was confirmed via FTIR, DSC, TGA, and XRD analyses, while morphological analysis through SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed Cur loading into SMEDDSs with an increased surface roughness root mean square (RMS) of 11.433 ± 0.91 nm, greater than the blank SMEDDS. Acute toxicity studies with an organ weight ratio and % hemolysis of 15.65 ± 1.32% at a high concentration of 600 mM showed that S-Cur-SMEDDSs are safe at a medium dose (0.2–0.8 g/kg/day). The excellent in vitro antioxidant (68.54 ± 1.42%) and anti-inflammatory properties (56.47 ± 1.17%) of S-Cur-SMEDDS proved its therapeutic efficacy for IBD. Finally, S-Cur-SMEDDS significantly improved acetic acid-induced IBD in albino rats through a reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) and macroscopic ulcer score (MUS) from 4.15 ± 0.21 to 1.62 ± 0.12 at 15 mg/kg/day dose, as confirmed via histopathological assay. Conclusions: Based on the above findings, S-Cur-SMEDDS appears to be a stable, less toxic, and more efficacious alternative for Cur delivery with strong competence in treating IBD. Full article

Entrepreneurial education is an established phenomenon that enhances entrepreneurship, which is critical for economic sustainability. The study investigated converting entrepreneurial education into entrepreneurial intentions in graduating university students. It was expected that entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial alertness play a significant role in this process. A questionnaire was developed, and data was collected from students either graduating or in their last year of undergraduate studies. Regression analysis using AMOS was conducted to test the relationships among study variables. Results indicate that entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial alertness have mediating roles in the process separately. Entrepreneurial alertness is the most significant mediator in converting the effect of entrepreneurship education into entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurial mindset also partially mediates the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions. The findings of this study are essential for educational planners and organizations in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurial education in training programs. Future studies may consider replicating this study in different physical and cultural settings. Full article

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most destructive pest of stored grain commodities. To control the attack of this insect pest, it is important to develop non-hazardous alternatives to replace fumigants. This study examined the fumigant toxicity and repellent activity of seven essential oils (Chinopodium ambrosiodes, Pinus roxburghii, Zanthoxylum armatum, Lepidium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Baccharis teindalensis, and Origanum majorana) against adult T. castaneum under controlled laboratory conditions. The fumigant toxicity and repellent activities of essential oils were tested using five different doses (62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 µg) in vapour-phase fumigation and four-arm olfactometer bioassays, respectively. In vapor-phase fumigation bioassays, mortality data were recorded after 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed that C. ambrosiodes and P. roxburghii essential oils are potential fumigants against adult T. castaneum. In repellency bioassays, a one-week-old adult population of T. castaneum was used to test the repellency potential of the essential oils. The results indicated that C. ambrosiodes and P. roxburghii had significant repellency potential against T. castaneum. Overall, we conclude that these essential oils have strong repellent and fumigant properties and can be used as potential repellent compounds to deter the insects. Full article

In large buildings, effective load shedding and shifting and providing the maximum power through solar renewable sources remain challenges because of users’ unpredictable load consumption. Conventionally, load shifting, load shedding, and load covering are majorly dependent on user inputs. The lack of user interest in participating in demand responses for effective load shifting and covering remains a problem. Effective load covering through renewables and user-friendly load shedding and shifting with maximized user participation are challenging and demand high-resolution user load consumption information, which are not possible without sophisticated communication and digital twins. In this research work, a novel fuzzy-logic-based cascaded decentralized load-controlling mechanism has been developed that manages the residential building load through load-shifting, load-covering, and load-shedding schemes without any communication protocols and digitization between residential units. The decentralized controller aims to effectively utilize the centralized resources of power generation with the effective automated participation of users. The quantification of the load shifting, covering, and shedding performed during peak hours was well covered under the load-covering scheme, and the results showed that flexibility capacities of 1617 kW were achieved for load covering, 294 kW for load shedding, and 166.34 kW through shifting. A total load of 60 kW, which was reduced during shedding and shifting, was well covered during load covering through renewables. Full article