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Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. possesses significant biological potential due to its rich bioactive compounds. To enhance this potential, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using the methanolic extract of E. dracunculoides, exploiting ZnO NPs’ superior physiochemical properties and bioavailability. The synthesis of ZnO NPs was confirmed through UV–Vis spectroscopy (with an absorption maximum at 368 nm), X-ray diffraction (crystalline nature), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (functional groups involved in Zn²⁺ reduction), scanning electron microscopy (rod-shaped and triangular morphologies, average size 79 nm), and EDX (presence of Zn and O). The ED-ZnO NPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against U87 cells (IC50: 229.51 µg·mL−1) and anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica promastigotes (IC50: 9.11 µg·mL−1). Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated significant antihyperlipidemic effects, with decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein levels. ED-ZnO NPs also normalized alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, and glucose levels compared to controls. Overall, ED-ZnO NPs effectively enhance the bioactive compounds’ efficacy in treating various disorders.

Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have revolutionized the medical field, particularly in the treatment and prevention of disease. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are considered one of the best supreme and most important nanomaterials with a variety of compulsive nanomaterial having diverse array of multifunctional bioapplications. The current study focuses on the green biosynthesis of AgNPs using polysaccharides extracted from Olea europaea leaves. The synthesized AgNPs were thoroughly analyzed and characterized using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques including, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The absorption peak at 440 nm showed a high plasmon resonance band, confirming the formation of green AgNPs by the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ag0. FTIR analysis showed the appearance and extension of different functional groups. The results of EDX and SEM confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs with spherical shape, crystalline structure, and an average size of 64.42 nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs possessed improved antimicrobial activities, indicating the importance of biosynthesized NPs in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, the biosynthesized AgNPs were biocompatible and exhibited anti-inflammatory activity (86.29%), almost similar to that of a standard drug (87.78%) at a concentration of 500 µL/mL. The polysaccharides obtained from O. europaea could be considered as effective reducing agent, leading to an environmentally friendly synthesis of stable and biologically important AgNPs with a wide range of applications.

Purple blotch disease is a major fungal disease of Allium cepa L. plants which is caused by the fungus Alternaria porri. The best conditions for the growth of Alternaria porri are temperatures between 22 °C and 25 °C and relatively high humidity. The Hydrotime, Thermal Time, and Hydrothermal Time models were used to measure different parameters of seed germination; therefore, we used them to measure the interactive effects of temperature and water potential on the germination conidia of Alternaria porri. The laboratory experiments were carried out at five constant temperatures, between 5 and 30 °C, and five different water potentials between 0 MPa and − 6 MPa. The germination of Alternaria porri conidia was highest at 25 °C and 0 MPa and lowest at 5 °C and − 6 MPa. The percentage of conidia germination decreased rapidly after 25 oC. Conidia germination was also affected by different water potentials, decreasing at lower water potential. Models based on HTT showed a reasonable fit to the germination and growth rate datasets. The best fitting model for conidia germination (R2 = 0.98491) was based on variable base and maximum temperature as a function of water potential. Based on the TT, HT, and models, the highest and lowest values for θT1 were observed at -6.0 MPa at 30 °C, and 0 MPa at 5 °C and the highest and lowest θT2 values were recorded at -6.0 MPa at 5 °C and 0 MPa at 30 °C while the lowest and highest θH values were recorded at -6.0 MPa at 5 °C and 0 MPa at 25 °C, respectively, for the HTT model, the predicted θHTT average value is 16.32 (MPa°Ch-1). Based on the statistical analysis, the cardinal hydrothermal time constant (θHTT) accurately explains the interactive effect of T and Ψ on the germination of Alternaria porri conidia under different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pteridaceae family, known for its taxonomic complexity, presents challenges in identification due to high variability among its species. This study investigates the spore morphology employing both SEM and LM techniques in 10 Pteridaceae taxa phytogeographicaly Sino‐Himalayan, Malesian, and European elements in Pakistan. The taxa include Adiantum capillus‐veneris, A. incisum, A. venustum, Aleuritopteris bicolor, Oeosporangium nitidulum, O. pteridioides, Onychium cryptogrammoides, O. vermae, Pteris cretica, and P. vittata. The objective is to assess their taxonomic relevance and develop a spore‐based taxonomic key. Findings indicate differences in spore shape, sizes, exospore thickness, and in surface ornamentation highlighting the potential for taxonomic differentiation. Spores are trilete, and notable differences are observed in the dimension of spores in both distal and proximal sides. Equatorial dimensions vary between 35 and 50 μm, while the polar diameter ranges from 29 to 50 μm. SEM revealed different spore ornamentation types that show several useful characteristics establishing valuable taxonomic variations. The studied Adiantum taxa feature a perispore with tubercules and a micro‐granulose surface. The spores of examined Oeosporangium and Aleuritopteris taxa shows cristate sculptures with variable ornamentations. Both species of Onychium have tuberculate‐pleated tubercles with sinuous folds on both distal and proximal sides. The surface ornamentation among examined Pteris taxa show variability. PCA analysis indicated that spore quantitative data identified distinct groups, underscoring taxonomic significance. Nevertheless, there was variation observed in surface ornamentation and spore shape, indicating the potential for discrimination among taxa. Research Highlights: Spore morphology of 10 Pteridaceae taxa has been investigated through LM and SEM.Investigated species shows differences in spore shape, sizes, exospore thickness, and in surface ornamentation.Ornamentation on the perispore provides several valuable characteristics, establishing useful taxonomic distinctions.Spore morphological analysis is effective at the generic level, with minor distinctions discernible at the species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to appraise the influence of strategic control tactics on financial performance. The goal is to examine the mediating effect of the resource allocation process on the relationship between financial performance and five strategic control tactics. A quantitative hypothetico-deductive methodology was used in this study. A basic random sample of the Ministry of Finance–North Lebanon's workforce was used to conduct an electronic questionnaire. A total of 232 valid responses were collected. Two statistical analysis methods, an exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis, were implemented. The sample adequacy was confirmed by a KMO value higher than 0.7 before instigating the principal component analysis (PCA). The latter kept more than 60% of the initial data while structuring the data. The findings of the KMO and Barlett tests supported the adoption of PCA. The correlation matrix confirmed a statistically significant relationship between resource allocation, financial success, and strategic control techniques. The structural equation model (SEM) validated the linear correlations and statistical significance between the variables. The hypotheses were examined. Results confirmed that the model satisfactorily fits the data. The RMSEA is below the 0.05 threshold. The incremental indices are higher than 0.9. Results confirmed that the resource allocation process mediates the relationship between preventive control, operational control, special alert control, implementation control, and financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts are ready-to-eat and are recognized worldwide as functional components of the human diet. Recent advances in innovative agricultural techniques could enable an increase in the production of healthy food. The use of light-emitting diode (LED) in indoor agricultural production could alter the biological feedback loop, increasing the functional benefits of plant foods such as wheat and lentil sprouts and promoting the bioavailability of nutrients. The effects of white (W), red (R), and blue (B) light were investigated on the growth parameters and nutritional value of wheat and lentil sprouts. In the laboratory, seeds were sown under three different LED treatments: white, red, and blue light, while normal incandescent light served as a control. Percentage seed germination improved by 18.34% and 12.67% for wheat and 18.34% and 12.67% for lentil sprouts under LED treatments R and B, respectively. An increase in total soluble protein and sugar by 33.4% and 9.23% in wheat and by 31.5% and 5.87% in lentils was observed under the R LED treatment. Vitamin C concentrations in wheat and lentils were significantly increased by R LED compared to all other treatments. Other parameters, including potassium and sodium concentrations, were significantly increased under red and blue light compared to the control; white light, on the other hand, significantly decreased all these parameters. According to the experimental data, red and blue LED light could be beneficial in the production of functional wheat and lentil sprouts with high nutrient concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lebanese universities encounter pedagogical and didactic challenges in the integration of sustainable practices and technologies due to a predominantly theoretical curriculum that lacks practical application. Consequently, this study seeks to assess the impact of sustainable technologies on students' adoption of sustainable behaviours. Method: This descriptive quantitative study employs a hypothetico-deductive approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to students at two university campuses in northern Lebanon, resulting in 310 valid responses obtained via convenience sampling. The exploratory factor analysis was conducted using the principal component analysis method, while confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The findings indicate that the integration of sustainable energy sources and green technological practices within Lebanese universities significantly enhances students' intentions to adopt sustainable behaviours, with an observed increase of 51%. Universities are actively promoting practices such as composting and recycling, encouraging students to replicate these responsible behaviours in their daily lives. Education for sustainable development focuses on real-world applications and fosters student initiative in engaging with sustainability practices. Implications for Research and Practice: Sustainability technologies and their applications have been enhanced through ongoing theoretical contributions and evolving social practices. Future research should investigate how specific features of sustainability programs affect the variability in students' behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the first domesticated crop plants and is the most widely grown crop in the world, both in terms of cultivated area and yield, and wheat is known to be consumed by about two-thirds of the world's population. The study was carried out to investigate the elemental and proximate composition of wheat against boron induced stress. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in October 2019 under natural light conditions to assess the chemical status of plants under various treatments such as the stress of inorganic boric acid. In the experiment, the pots were filled with sandy loam soil (1 kg). The pots were pre-treated with boron as boric acid (H3BO3) only once before sowing, at the doses of 0 mg/kg (control), 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg soil. The different concentrations of Boron (B) were prepared separately by taking a respective amount of boric acid. Pots without supplemented B constituted the control. No additional supplements were applied to the experimental soil. Each pot was irrigated with 100 mL of distilled water with intermittent intervals of 48 hours. All the treatments were replicated three times considering each pot as one replicate. Through EDX analysis, it was noticed that the boron stress treatment exhibited the maximum number of elements detected in (T2, T5, and T6) wheat crops followed by (T0, T1, and T3). A total of 17 elements were detected and observed in wheat including Ca, S, K, Si, Na, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Cr, Cl, Mn, B, C, N, Co, and Ni in different treatments of B. It has been determined that the amount of each element varies according to the amount of B applied. Thus, the study performed under B stress helps understand elemental and proximate content in various treatments in wheat plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]