Developing a simple and efficient modeling solution for predicting key phenological stages of table grapes in a non-traditional viticulture zone in south Asia.

Phenological shifts are one of the most visible signs of climatic variability and change in the biosphere. However, modeling plant phenological responses has always been a key challenge due to climatic variability and plant adaptation. Grapevine is a phenologically sensitive crop and, thus, its developmental stages are affected by the increase in temperature. The goal of this study was to develop a temperature-based grapevine phenology model (GPM) for predicting key developmental stages for different table grape cultivars for a non-traditional viticulture zone in south Asia. Experiments were conducted in two vineyards at two locations (Chakwal and Islamabad) in the Pothawar region of Pakistan during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons for four cultivars including Perlette, King's Ruby, Sugraone and NARC Black. Detailed phenological observations were obtained starting in January until harvest of the grapes. The Mitscherlich monomolecular equation was used to develop the phenology model for table grapes. There was a strong non-linear correlation between the Eichhorn and Lorenz phenological (ELP) scale and growing degree days (GDD) for all cultivars with coefficient of determinations (R2) ranging from 0.90 to 0.94. The results for model development indicated that GPM was able to predict phenological stages with high skill scores, i.e., a root mean square (RMSE) of 2.14 to 2.78 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.86 to 2.26 days. The prediction variability of the model for the onset timings of phenological stages was up to 3 days. The results also reveal that the phenology model based on GDD approach provides an efficient planning tool for viticulture industry in different grape growing regions. The proposed methodology, being a simpler one, can be easily applied to other regions and cultivars as a predictor for grapevine phenology.

Development of p,q- quasirung orthopair fuzzy hamacher aggregation operators and its application in decision-making problems.

The concept of p,q- quasirung orthopair fuzzy (p,q- QOF) sets is an advanced extension of q- rung orthopair fuzzy sets (q- ROFSs). This paper introduces the adaptation of Hamacher t-norm and t-conorm to the p,q- QOF environment. A series of Hamacher aggregation operators (AOs) and their associated properties are presented. This study extends its application to multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) for practical problem-solving, illustrated through the analysis of mobile payment platforms. The influence of the aggregation operator parameters, denoted as p and q, on the outcomes of decisions is effectively showcased. Moreover, a comparative analysis is carried out to validate the credibility and authenticity of the proposed model. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the proposed model are outlined.

A detailed study on quantification and modeling of drought characteristics using different copula families.

This study delves into analyzing drought patterns in Baluchistan by applying copula-based bivariate probabilistic models complemented by Severity Duration Frequency (SDF) curves. The calculation of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) hinges on monthly aggregate precipitation data from ten distinct sites compiled over six-month periods. After evaluating various parametric distributions, the Log-Normal distribution emerges as suitable for modeling drought severity and duration. A range of bivariate copulas is employed to simulate the characteristics of drought severity and duration, which are then compared against observed data. Remarkably, the Gumbel copula classified as an extreme value copula-outperforms its counterparts according to diverse statistical benchmarks. By utilizing the dependence function, we derive the conditional distribution of drought variables: severity and duration. These conditional distributions subsequently inform the calculation of return periods, forming the basis for constructing SDF diagrams at fixed recurrence levels across the study region. The study's finding indicates that a severe drought could occur over the region with higher return periods for a specific duration. The implications of this research are significant, showcasing the potential of copula-based joint modeling techniques to generate frequency curves for drought severity and duration. This development holds promise for effective water resource management and the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of drought in vulnerable regions.

Non-Noble Metal High-Entropy Alloy-Based Catalytic Electrode for Long-Life Hydrogen Gas Batteries.

The development of efficient, stable, and low-cost bifunctional catalysts for the hydrogen evolution/oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) is critical to promote the application of hydrogen gas batteries in large scale energy storage systems. Here we demonstrate a non-noble metal high-entropy alloy grown on Cu foam (NNM-HEA@CF) as a self-supported catalytic electrode for nickel-hydrogen gas (Ni-H2) batteries. Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that the NNM-HEA catalyst greatly facilitates the HER/HOR catalytic process through the optimized electronic structures of the active sites. The assembled Ni-H2 battery with NNM-HEA@CF as the anode shows excellent rate capability and exceptional cycling performance of over 1800 h without capacity decay at an areal capacity of 15 mAh cm-2. Furthermore, a scaled-up Ni-H2 battery fabricated with an extended capacity of 0.45 Ah exhibits a high cell-level energy density of ∼109.3 Wh kg-1. Moreover, its estimated cost reaches as low as ∼107.8 $ kWh-1 based on all key components of electrodes, separator and electrolyte, which is reduced by more than 6 times compared to that of the commercial Pt/C-based Ni-H2 battery. This work provides an approach to develop high-efficiency non-noble metal-based bifunctional catalysts for hydrogen batteries in large-scale energy storage applications.

Estimation of regional and at-site quantiles of extreme winds under flood index procedure.

Extreme winds are becoming more common among environmental events with the most catastrophic societal consequences. A regional frequency analysis of Daily Annual Maximum Wind Speed (DAMWS) is necessary not only for a comprehensive understanding of wind hazards but also for infrastructure design and safety, wind energy potential, disaster risk reduction, insurance and risk assessment in a particular region of study. This study investigated regional frequency analysis of DAMWS of Baluchistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. L-moments regionalization techniques along with flood index procedure were applied to DAMWS records of 21 stations from 1990 to 2019 across the study area. We intended to find the regional frequency distribution for maximum winds and predict the returns for extreme winds events in the future. Only one station namely Lasbella was found to be discordant. With the help of cluster analysis, the remaining 20 stations were further divided into two homogeneous. Heterogeneity measures validate that both regions are homogenous with allotted stations. Regional quantiles for both regions are estimated through best-fit probability distribution among Generalized Normal (GNO), Generalized Logistic (GLO), Pearson Type 3 (P3), Generalized Pareto (GPA), and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV). Robustness of GLO distribution compared to GEV distribution is assessed through Monte Carlo simulations of relative bias and relative root mean square error. Findings clearly show that GLO distribution is the best for regional modeling. Furthermore, with the help of index flood procedure we determined at-site quantiles of all stations for various return periods. These estimated quantiles are of valuable information for various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, disaster management, and climate resilience, leading to improved planning, development, and risk reduction in the face of wind-related hazards in Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan.

Temperature variability during the growing season affects the quality attributes of table grapes in Pothwar-insight from a new emerging viticulture region in South Asia.

Rising air temperature due to climate change has posed a mammoth challenge to global viticulture and key berry quality traits are compromised. Exploring the effects of seasonal temperature variability on berry ripening and quality attributes in different viticulture regions may help in sustainable viticulture industry. The present research was designed to explore the effect of temperature variables on key quality attributes of table grape cultivars in Pothwar region of Pakistan. Key berry quality traits such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity indices (MI), ascorbic acid, sugars, total polyphenol contents (TPC) and total anthocyanin contents (TAC) were unlocked for four important table grape cultivars under varying environmental conditions at Chakwal and Islamabad districts for two consecutive vintages of 2019 and 2020. The district Chakwal has up to 0.92 °C, 1.35 °C, 1.12°C and 0.81°C higher Tmin, Tmax, Tmean and diurnal temperature variation (DTV) respectively, compared to Islamabad particularly for the 2019 vintage. The results of the present study revealed that the warmer site (Chakwal) has significantly (P ≤0.05) higher juice pH, TSS (°brix) and maturity indices (MI) particularly for the relatively hotter vintage of 2019. Interestingly, MI was 33% higher for the relatively warmer vintage of 2019 compared to 2020 with relatively lower acidity (up to 38%). Moreover, higher titratable acidity (11.2%), ascorbic acid (28.5%), polyphenols (20.3%) and anthocyanins (10.6%) were noticed for the colder Islamabad compared to Chakwal. Although elevated temperature for warmer location and vintage favoured berry ripening, however key biochemical attributes such as titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, polyphenols and anthocyanins were negatively affected. The findings of the present research provide useful insight into the impact of growing season temperature on key berry attributes and may help devise adaptation strategies to improve berry quality.

Struvite separation from wastewater and its use with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria improves phosphorus utilization in alkaline soil.

A major portion of phosphatic fertilizer comes from the limiting natural resource, rock phosphate, which demands a timely alternative. Struvite, a crystalline mineral of low solubility, is a worthwhile alternative. Evaluation of the local wastewater streams for their ability to precipitate struvite and its capability as phosphatic fertilizer under an alkaline soil environment was studied. Two stirring speeds, a pH range of 8.0-11.0, and a constant molar ratio were used to optimize local wastewater streams for struvite precipitation. Struvite was used in five different combinations to assess the release of phosphorus (P), including control (no P source), single superphosphate, struvite, struvite + sulfur, and rock phosphate with or without inoculation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). For struvite precipitation, low stirring speeds are ideal because the precipitates readily sink to the bottom once they form. Furthermore, the amalgamation of SOB with sulfur significantly improved P use efficiency under alkaline soils through increased phosphorus sources solubility and enabled optimum wheat production due to its low solubility in an alkaline soil condition. Due to its capacity to recycle phosphorus from wastewater, struvite is poised to emerge as a sustainable fertilizer and had an opportunity to capture a share of this expanding market.

Anions Regulation Engineering Enables a Highly Reversible and Dendrite-Free Nickel-Metal Anode with Ultrahigh Capacities.

The development of safe and high-energy metal anodes represents a crucial research direction. Here, the achievement of highly reversible, dendrite-free transition metal anodes with ultrahigh capacities by regulating aqueous electrolytes is reported. Using nickel (Ni) as a model, theoretical and experimental evidence demonstrating the beneficial role of chloride ions in inhibiting and disrupting the nickel hydroxide passivation layer on the Ni electrode is provided. As a result, Ni anodes with an ultrahigh areal capacity of 1000 mAh cm-2 (volumetric capacity of ≈6000 mAh cm-3 ), and a Coulombic efficiency of 99.4% on a carbon substrate, surpassing the state-of-the-art metal electrodes by approximately two orders of magnitude, are realized. Furthermore, as a proof-of-concept, a series of full cells based on the Ni anode is developed. The designed Ni-MnO2 full battery exhibits a long lifespan of 2000 cycles, while the Ni-PbO2 full battery achieves a high areal capacity of 200 mAh cm-2 . The findings of this study are important for enlightening a new arena toward the advancement of dendrite-free Ni-metal anodes with ultrahigh capacities and long cycle life for various energy-storage devices.

Seasonal variability in the effect of temperature on key phenological stages of four table grapes cultivars.

Progressive warming of the grape growing regions has reduced the land capability for sustainable grapevine production and the geographical distribution of grapes. Bud burst, blooming, berry set, veraison, and harvest are the key phenological stages of grapevine, and are crucial for managing vineyard activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seasonal temperature variability on the timing of key phenological stages of table grape cultivars in a new emerging viticulture region, i.e., the Pothwar region of Pakistan. Phenological stages of four table grape cultivars were recorded during two consecutive growing seasons at two locations. All phenological stages were attained earlier for the relatively warmer location, i.e., Chakwal. Similarly, the length of the growing season from bud burst to harvest was 15 to 21 days longer for the 2020 growing season than for the 2019 growing season, which corresponds to the inter-annual temperature variability. Moreover, the grapevine cultivars showed a distinct response for each growth phase; cv. Perlette matured earlier while cv. NARC Black was the last to ripen. Despite the large variability in the length of the active growing period from bud burst to harvest, accumulated growing degree days (GDD) varied only in a narrow range, i.e., 1510-1557 for cv. Perlette, 1641-1683 for cv. King's Ruby, 1744-1770 for cv. Sugraone, and 1869-1906 for cv. NARC Black. This implies that seasonal temperature variability using GDD is a better indicator for the phenology of table grape cultivars compared to regular time. It is clear from the results from this study that the variation in phenological responses of table grape cultivars due to temperature differences necessitates genotype and site-specific vineyard management.

Constructing robust heterostructured interface for anode-free zinc batteries with ultrahigh capacities.

The development of Zn-free anodes to inhibit Zn dendrite formation and modulate high-capacity Zn batteries is highly applauded yet very challenging. Here, we design a robust two-dimensional antimony/antimony-zinc alloy heterostructured interface to regulate Zn plating. Benefiting from the stronger adsorption and homogeneous electric field distribution of the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface in Zn plating, the Zn anode enables an ultrahigh areal capacity of 200 mAh cm-2 with an overpotential of 112 mV and a Coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. An anode-free Zn-Br2 battery using the Sb/Sb2Zn3-heterostructured interface@Cu anode shows an attractive energy density of 274 Wh kg-1 with a practical pouch cell energy density of 62 Wh kg-1. The scaled-up Zn-Br2 battery in a capacity of 500 mAh exhibits over 400 stable cycles. Further, the Zn-Br2 battery module in an energy of 9 Wh (6 V, 1.5 Ah) is integrated with a photovoltaic panel to demonstrate the practical renewable energy storage capabilities. Our superior anode-free Zn batteries enabled by the heterostructured interface enlighten an arena towards large-scale energy storage applications.

Comparative efficacy of cephradine-loaded silver and gold nanoparticles against resistant human pathogens.

Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria are major health concerns worldwide. We successfully synthesized cephradine gold nanoparticles (Ceph-Au NPs) and cephradine silver nanoparticles (Ceph-Ag NPs) and compared their efficacy against resistant human pathogens. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results showed that average particle size of Ceph-Au NPs and Ceph-Ag NPs were 7 and 12 nm, respectively. Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed the conjugation of -NH2 and -OH functional moieties with the nanoparticle (NP) surfaces. These NPs significantly inhibited the biofilm of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the range of 61.25-250 µg/mL. Ceph-Au NPs are more active than Ceph-Ag NPs and can be used to treat the diseases associated with MRSA and S. mutans.

Surface-Oxygen-Rich Bi@C Nanoparticles for High-Efficiency Electroreduction of CO2 to Formate.

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising strategy to alleviate excessive CO2 levels in the atmosphere and produce value-added feedstocks and fuels. However, the synthesis of high-efficiency and robust electrocatalysts remains a great challenge. This work reports the green preparation of surface-oxygen-rich carbon-nanorod-supported bismuth nanoparticles (SOR Bi@C NPs) for an efficient CO2RR toward formate. The resultant SOR Bi@C NPs catalyst displays a Faradaic efficiency of more than 91% for formate generation over a wide potential range of 440 mV. Ex situ XPS and XANES and in situ Raman spectroscopy demonstrate that the Bi-O/Bi (110) structure in the pristine SOR Bi@C NPs can remain stable during the CO2RR process. DFT calculations reveal that the Bi-O/Bi (110) structure can facilitate the formation of the *OCHO intermediate. This work provides an approach to the development of high-efficiency Bi-based catalysts for the CO2RR and offers a unique insight into the exploration of advanced electrocatalysts.

Wild grapevines as rootstock regulate the oxidative defense system of in vitro grafted scion varieties under drought stress.

The narrow genetic base of modern cultivars is becoming a key bottleneck for crop improvement and the use of wild relatives is an appropriate approach to improve the genetic diversity of crops to manage the sustainable production under different abiotic and biotic constraints. In Pakistan, wild germplasm of grapevine viz Dakh, Toran, and Zarishk belong to Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris and Fatati belong to Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa is naturally present in humid and sub-humid areas of mountainous and sub-mountainous regions and showed varying level of tolerance against drought stress but have not been evaluated as rootstock. In this study, different tolerant behavior of wild grapevines as rootstock in grafted scion varieties were explored under different levels of PEG-6000 mediated drought stress i.e., -4.00, -6.00, and -8.00 bars. In response to drought stress, wild grapevines evoked several non-enzymatic and enzymatic activities. Among non-enzymatic activities, total chlorophyll contents of commercial varieties were sustained at higher level when grafted on wild grapevines Dakh and Fatati which subsequently reduced the damage of cell membrane via MDA. Whereas, to cope the membranous damage due to excessive cellular generation of ROS, wild grapevines triggered the enhanced activities of SOD to dismutase the free oxygen radicals into H2O2, then CAT enzyme convert the H2O2 into water molecules. Higher accumulation of ROS in commercial scion varieties were also coped by wild grapevines Dakh and Fatati through the upregulation of POD and APX enzymes activities. Based on these enzymatic and non-enzymatic indices, biplot and cluster analysis classified the wild grapevines as rootstock into three distinct categories comprises on relatively tolerant i.e., Dakh (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) and Fatati (Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa), moderate tolerant i.e., Toran (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) and relatively susceptible category i.e., Zarishk (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris).

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Released from Cancer Cells.

Cancer is by far the most common cause of death worldwide. There are more than 200 types of cancer known hitherto depending upon the origin and type. Early diagnosis of cancer provides better disease prognosis and the best chance for a cure. This fact prompts world-leading scientists and clinicians to develop techniques for the early detection of cancer. Thus, less morbidity and lower mortality rates are envisioned. The latest advancements in the diagnosis of cancer utilizing nanotechnology have manifested encouraging results. Cancerous cells are well known for their substantial amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The common methods for the detection of H2O2 include colorimetry, titration, chromatography, spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, and chemiluminescence. These methods commonly lack selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility and have prolonged analytical time. New biosensors are reported to circumvent these obstacles. The production of detectable amounts of H2O2 by cancerous cells has promoted the use of bio- and electrochemical sensors because of their high sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and miniaturized point-of-care cancer diagnostics. Thus, this review will emphasize the principles, analytical parameters, advantages, and disadvantages of the latest electrochemical biosensors in the detection of H2O2. It will provide a summary of the latest technological advancements of biosensors based on potentiometric, impedimetric, amperometric, and voltammetric H2O2 detection. Moreover, it will critically describe the classification of biosensors based on the material, nature, conjugation, and carbon-nanocomposite electrodes for rapid and effective detection of H2O2, which can be useful in the early detection of cancerous cells.

Notch Signaling and MicroRNA: The Dynamic Duo Steering Between Neurogenesis and Glioblastomas.

Notch signaling is an evolutionary conserved pathway that plays a central role in development and differentiation of eukaryotic cells. It has been well documented that Notch signaling is inevitable for neuronal cell growth and homeostasis. It regulates process of differentiation from early embryonic stages to fully developed brain. To achieve this streamlined development of neuronal cells, a number of cellular processes are being orchestrated by the Notch signaling. Abrogated Notch signaling is related to several brain tumors, including glioblastomas. On the other hand, microRNAs are small molecules that play decisive role in mediating and modulating Notch signaling. This review discusses the crucial role of Notch signaling in development of nervous system and how this versatile pathway interplay with microRNAs in glioblastoma. This review sheds light on interplay between abrogated Notch signaling and miRNAs in the regulation of neuronal differentiation with special focus on miRNAs mediated regulation of tumorigenesis in glioblastoma. Furthermore, it discusses different aspects of neurogenesis modulated by the Notch signaling that could be exploited for the identification of new diagnostic tools and therapies for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Synthesis of gemifloxacin conjugated silver nanoparticles, their amplified bacterial efficacy against human pathogen and their morphological study via TEM analysis.

Drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) allow specific accumulation and controlled release of drugs to infected tissues with minimal cytotoxicity. In this study, gemifloxacin conjugated silver nanoparticles (Gemi-AgNPs) were synthesized, and the amplification of their antibacterial potential against the human pathogen as well as their stability was monitored under physiological conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the interaction between -NH2 and -OH functional moiety and the metal surface. The morphological analyses via transmission electron microscopy revealed that Gemi-AgNPs has a round oval shape and average particle size of 22.23 ± 2 nm. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of these NPS showed that Gemi-AgNPs exhibit excellent antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition activity against human pathogens, namely, Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A significant increase in the antibiofilm activity of Gemi-AgNPs was confirmed by crystal violet, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) staining, and microscopic analysis. Gemi-AgNPs exhibited the ability to inhibit urease with an IC50 value of 57.4 ± 0.72 µg/mL. The changes in the bacterial cell morphology were analyzed via TEM, which revealed that cell membranes disrupted and completely destroyed the cell morphology by the treatment of Gemi-AgNPs.

Boosting Electrolytic MnO2-Zn Batteries by a Bromine Mediator.

An aqueous electrolytic MnO2-Zn battery with eye-catching Mn2+/MnO2 cathode chemistry has been attracting immense interest for next-generation energy storage devices due to its irreplaceable advantages. However, the limited MnO2 conductivity restricts its long service life at high areal capacities. Here, we report a high-performance electrolytic MnO2-Zn battery via a bromine redox mediator, to enhance its electrochemical performance. The MnO2/Br2-Zn battery displays a high discharge voltage of 1.98 V with a capacity of ∼5.8 mAh cm-2. It also shows an excellent rate performance of 20 C with a long-term stability of over 600 cycles. Furthermore, the scaled-up MnO2/Br2-Zn battery with a capacity of ∼950 mAh exhibits a stable 100 cycles with a practical cell energy density of ∼32.4 Wh kg-1 and an attractively low energy cost of below 15 US$ kWh-1. The design approach can be generalized to other electrodes and battery systems, thus opening up new possibilities for large-scale energy storage.

Bayesian Analysis of Cancer Data Using a 4-Component Exponential Mixture Model.

Cancer is among the major public health problems as well as a burden for Pakistan. About 148,000 new patients are diagnosed with cancer each year, and almost 100,000 patients die due to this fatal disease. Lung, breast, liver, cervical, blood/bone marrow, and oral cancers are the most common cancers in Pakistan. Perhaps smoking, physical inactivity, infections, exposure to toxins, and unhealthy diet are the main factors responsible for the spread of cancer. We preferred a novel four-component mixture model under Bayesian estimation to estimate the average number of incidences and death of both genders in different age groups. For this purpose, we considered 28 different kinds of cancers diagnosed in recent years. Data of registered patients all over Pakistan in the year 2012 were taken from GLOBOCAN. All the patients were divided into 4 age groups and also split based on genders to be applied to the proposed mixture model. Bayesian analysis is performed on the data using a four-component exponential mixture model. Estimators for mixture model parameters are derived under Bayesian procedures using three different priors and two loss functions. Simulation study and graphical representation for the estimates are also presented. It is noted from analysis of real data that the Bayes estimates under LINEX loss assuming Jeffreys' prior is more efficient for the no. of incidences in male and female. As far as no. of deaths are concerned again, LINEX loss assuming Jeffreys' prior gives better results for the male population, but for the female population, the best loss function is SELF assuming Jeffreys' prior.

Cilia-assisted flow of viscoelastic fluid in a divergent channel under porosity effects.

Cilia-driven laminar flow of an incompressible viscoelastic fluid in a divergent channel has been conducted numerically using the BVP4C technique. The non-Newtonian Jeffrey rheological model is utilized to characterize the fluid. The flow equations are formulated in a curvilinear coordinate system, and the porosity effects are simulated with a body force term in the Navier-Stokes equation. The flow equations are transformed into a wave frame from a fixed frame of reference using a linear mathematical relationship. A biological approximation of creeping phenomena and the long-wavelength assumption is used in the flow analysis. The flow analysis is carried out by using a complex (wavy) propulsion of cilia beating. The two-dimensional flow is controlled by physical parameters-Darcy's number, curvature parameter, viscoelastic parameter, phase difference, cilia length, and divergent parameter. They also examined the ciliated pumping and bolus trapping in their flow analysis. The boundary layer phenomena in the velocity profile are noticed under more significant porosity and time relaxation effects. The bolus circulations are reduced for a larger porosity medium and larger numeric values of the time relaxation parameter.

Response of Olive Shoots to Salinity Stress Suggests the Involvement of Sulfur Metabolism.

Global warming has two dangerous global consequences for agriculture: drought, due to water scarcity, and salinization, due to the prolonged use of water containing high concentrations of salts. Since the global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond, choosing salt-tolerant plants could represent a potential paramount last resort for exploiting the secondary saline soils. Olive is considered moderately resistant to soil salinity as compared to other fruit trees, and in the present study, we investigated the influence of NaCl solutions (ranging from 0 to 200 mM) in a salt-tolerant (cv Canino) and two of its transgenic lines (Canino AT17-1 and Canino AT17-2), overexpressing tobacco osmotin gene, and in a salt-sensitive (Sirole) olive cultivar. After four weeks, most of the shoots of both Canino and Sirole plants showed stunted growth and ultimate leaf drop by exposure to salt-enriched media, contrary to transgenic lines, that did not show injuries and exhibited a normal growth rate. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was also measured as an indicator of the lipid peroxidation level. To evaluate the role of the S assimilatory pathway in alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress, thiols levels as well as extractable activities of ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) and O-acetyl serine(thiol)lyase (OASTL), the first and the last enzyme of the S assimilation pathway, respectively, have been estimated. The results have clearly depicted that both transgenic lines overexpressing osmotin gene coped with increasing levels of NaCl by the induction of S metabolism, and particularly increase in OASTL activity closely paralleled changes of NaCl concentration. Linear correlation between salt stress and OASTL activity provides evidence that the S assimilation pathway plays a key role in adaptive response of olive plants under salt stress conditions.