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A precise evaluation of the risk of establishing insect pests is essential for national plant protection organizations. This accuracy is crucial in negotiating international trade agreements for forestry-related commodities, which have the potential to carry pests and lead to unintended introductions in the importing countries. In our study, we employed both mechanistic and correlative niche models to assess and map the global patterns of potential establishment for Aeolesthes sarta under current and future climates. This insect is a significant pest affecting tree species of the genus Populus, Salix, Acer, Malus, Juglans, and other hardwood trees. Notably, it is also categorized as a quarantine pest in countries where it is not currently present. The mechanistic model, CLIMEX, was calibrated using species-specific physiological tolerance thresholds, providing a detailed understanding of the environmental factors influencing the species. In contrast, the correlative model, maximum entropy (MaxEnt), utilized species occurrences and spatial climatic data, offering insights into the species' distribution based on observed data and environmental conditions. The projected potential distribution from CLIMEX and MaxEnt models aligns well with the currently known distribution of A. sarta. CLIMEX predicts a broader global distribution than MaxEnt, indicating that most central and southern hemispheres are suitable for its distribution, excluding the extreme northern hemisphere, central African countries, and the northern part of Australia. Both models accurately predict the known distribution of A. sarta in the Asian continent, and their projections suggest a slight overall increase in the global distribution range of A. sarta with future changes in climate temperature, majorly concentrating in the central and northern hemispheres. Furthermore, the models anticipate suitable conditions in Europe and North America, where A. sarta currently does not occur but where its preferred host species, Populus alba, is present. The main environmental variables associated with the distribution of A. sarta at a global level were the average annual temperature and precipitation rate. The predictive models developed in this study offer insights into the global risk of A. sarta establishment and can be valuable for monitoring potential pest introductions in different countries. Additionally, policymakers and trade negotiators can utilize these models to make science-based decisions regarding pest management and international trade agreements.

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Heavy metal stress affects crop growth and yields as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and development are negatively affected under heavy metal stress. The study examined the effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) stress on wheat growth and development. To alleviate this problem, a pot experiment was done to analyze the role of sulfur-rich thiourea (STU) in accelerating the defense system of wheat plants against cobalt toxicity. The experimental treatments were, i) Heavy metal stress (a) control and (b) Cobalt stress (300 µM), ii) STU foliar applications; (a) control and (b) 500 µM single dose was applied after seven days of stress, and iii) Wheat varieties (a) FSD-2008 and (b) Zincol-2016. The results revealed that cobalt stress decreased chlorophyll a by 10%, chlorophyll b by 16%, and carotenoids by 5% while foliar application of STU increased these photosynthetic pigments by 16%, 15%, and 15% respectively under stress conditions as in contrast to control. In addition, cobalt stress enhances hydrogen peroxide production by 11% and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 10%. In comparison, STU applications at 500 µM reduced the production of these reactive oxygen species by 5% and by 20% by up-regulating the activities of antioxidants. Results have revealed that the activities of SOD improved by 29%, POD by 25%, and CAT by 28% under Cobalt stress. Furthermore, the foliar application of STU significantly increased the accumulation of osmoprotectants as TSS was increased by 23% and proline was increased by 24% under cobalt stress. Among wheat varieties, FSD-2008 showed better adaptation under Cobalt stress by showing enhanced photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activities compared to Zincol-2016. In conclusion, the foliar-applied STU can alleviate the negative impacts of Cobalt stress by improving plant physiological attributes and upregulating the antioxidant defense system in wheat.

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The present research was carried out to investigate the performance of oxalic acid (OA) through Lemna minor L. (duckweed) in the phytoextraction of lead (Pb) from metal contaminated water. Zero, 100 µM, 250 µM, and 500 µM Pb concentration and combinations with 2.5 ml of OA were provided to the plants in the form of solution after defining intervals. Continuous aeration was provided to the plants and kept a pH level at 6.5. Results from this research depicted that increasing concentration level of Pb inhibited the overall plant growth, biomass, frond area, chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzyme activities like peroxidase (POD), superoxide-dismutase (SOD), catalases (CAT), and ascorbate-peroxidase (APX). Moreover, Pb stress enhances the concentration, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage substances in plants. Furthermore, the addition of OA alleviated the Pb-induced toxicity in the plants, increasing the Pb accumulation and its endorsement in the L. minor. The OA addition increased the Pb accumulation in plants at 0, 100, 250 and 500 µM. At higher concentration, Pb showed harmful effect as related to the other low doses. Under the application of OA, Pb higher accumulation and concentration in L. minor were measured, which showed that it could be the most suitable plant for the phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soil and wastewater.

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Hybrid nanofluid are the modified class of nanofluids with extra high thermal performances and present different applications in automotive cooling, heat transfer devices, solar collectors, engine applications, fusion processes, machine cutting, chemical processes etc. This thermal research explores the heat transfer assessment due to hybrid nanofluid with of different shape features. The thermal inspections regarding the hybrid nanofluid model are justified with aluminium oxide and titanium nanoparticles. The base liquid properties are disclosed with ethylene glycol material. The novel impact of current model is the presentation of different shape features namely Platelets, blade and cylinder. Different thermal properties of utilized nanoparticles at various flow constraints are reported. The problem of hybrid nanofluid model is modified in view of slip mechanism, magnetic force and viscous dissipation. The heat transfer observations for decomposition of TiO2-Al2O3/C2H6O2 is assessed by using the convective boundary conditions. The shooting methodology is involved for finding the numerical observations of problem. Graphical impact of thermal parameters is observed for TiO2-Al2O3/C2H6O2 hybrid decomposition. The pronounced observations reveal that thermal rate enhanced for blade shaped titanium oxide-ethylene glycol decomposition. The wall shear force reduces for blade shaped titanium oxide nanoparticles.

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Although ceramics have many advantages when compared to metals in specific applications, they could be more widely applied if their low properties (fracture toughness, strength, and electrical and thermal conductivities) are improved. Reinforcing ceramics by two nano-phases that have different morphologies and/or properties, called the hybrid microstructure design, has been implemented to develop hybrid ceramic nanocomposites with tailored nanostructures, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced functionalities. The use of the novel spark plasma sintering (SPS) process allowed for the sintering of hybrid ceramic nanocomposite materials to maintain high relative density while also preserving the small grain size of the matrix. As a result, hybrid nanocomposite materials that have better mechanical and functional properties than those of either conventional composites or nanocomposites were produced. The development of hybrid ceramic nanocomposites is in its early stage and it is expected to continue attracting the interest of the scientific community. In the present paper, the progress made in the development of alumina hybrid nanocomposites, using spark plasma sintering, and their properties are reviewed. In addition, the current challenges and potential applications are highlighted. Finally, future prospects for developing alumina hybrid nanocomposites that have better performance are set.

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BACKGROUND: Angiographic studies have shown that the extent of disease and severity is less in younger population with comparatively fewer number of coronary arteries affected than that of older age groups. This study was conducted to compare the pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD) in young adults under 40 years and those more than 40 years of age with significant coronary artery disease on coronary angiography. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Angiography Laboratory of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore,-from 1st April, 2013 to 1st April, 2014. Patients from Angiography Laboratory of Punjab institute of cardiology Lahore were enrolled in the study. A Joint Committee of consultants reported the coronary lesions (stenosis). Single vessel disease (SVD), Double vessel disease (DVD) and Tripple vessel disease (TVD) was noted down. RESULTS: Out of total 400, patients of age ≤40 years (Group-A) were 48 (12%) and >40 years (Group-B) were 352 (88%). There were 77% male patients and 22.5% females. Mean age of patients was 52.78±10.02. Significant CAD was present in 48 (10.75%) patients of Group-A and in 306 (76.5%) patients of group-B. Frequency of SVD DVD and TVD in Group-A was 24 (50%), 10 (20.8%) and 9 (18%) respectively while frequency of SVD, DVD and TVD in group-B was 98 (27%), 88 (25%) and 120 (34%) respectively with p-value of 0.002, 0.53 and 0.03 among SVD, DVD and TVD between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Young (age <40 years) patients who have coronary artery disease, have less extensive coronary artery disease, with a high incidence of angiographically normal vessels and relative paucity of left main coronary arterial involvement.

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