Scientific Community Research Articles

Overview of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae population structure through the lens of 3,034 genomes.

With the rise of high-throughput sequencing technologies, a holistic view of genetic variation within populations-through population genomics studies-appears feasible, although it remains an ongoing effort. Genetic variation arises from a diverse range of evolutionary forces, with mutation and recombination being key drivers in shaping genomes. Studying genetic variation within a population represents a crucial first step in understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype and the evolutionary history of species. In this context, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been at the forefront of population genomic studies. In addition, it has a complex history that involves adaptation to a wide range of wild and human-related ecological niches. Although to date more than 3,000 diverse isolates have been sequenced, there is currently a lack of a resource bringing together sequencing data and associated metadata for all sequenced isolates. To perform a comprehensive analysis of the population structure of S. cerevisiae, we collected genome sequencing data from 3,034 natural isolates and processed the data uniformly. We determined ploidy levels, identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small insertion-deletions (InDels), copy number variations (CNVs), and aneuploidies across the population, creating a publicly accessible resource for the yeast research community. Interestingly, we showed that this population captures ∼93% of the species diversity. Using neighbor-joining and Bayesian methods, we redefined the populations, revealing clustering patterns primarily based on ecological origin. This work represents a valuable resource for the community and efforts have been made to make it evolvable and integrable to future yeast population studies.

Modeling the future carbon sink: Land‐use and climate change may offset CO2 fertilization in the United States

Societal Impact StatementThe terrestrial carbon sink currently consumes about a third of the CO2 released to the atmosphere by fossil fuel emissions and land‐use change. In light of future carbon emissions, it is important to understand how that carbon sink will change in order to better determine how much CO2 remains in the atmosphere. This study uses a modeling approach to compare a middle‐of‐the‐road (SSP245) versus rocky road (SSP370) scenario for the conterminous United States. While both scenarios result in a carbon sink by the end of the century, it is larger in SSP245, due to less deforestation and more moderate climate.Summary This modeling study explores how elevated atmosphere CO2, climate warming, and land use and land cover change (LULCC) will affect the direction and magnitude of the terrestrial carbon sink during the 21st century for the conterminous United States. Initial conditions are averaged and condensed for each plant functional type (PFT) from a historical run from 1750 to 2014 with the Terrestrial Ecosystems Model (TEM). Future experiments consider the effect of climate change, LULCC, and the CO2 fertilization effect (CFE) from 2015 to 2099 using the SSP245 and SSP370 scenarios from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Earth System Model (NCAR CESM2) model. The resultant effect on accumulated net carbon exchange (NCE) is 12.2 PgC for SSP245 versus 2.4 PgC for SSP370. Separating out the effects of climate, LULCC, and CFE results in a negative effect from both climate (−1.6 vs. −14.6 PgC) and LULCC (−5.6 vs. −15.4 PgC) and a positive effect from CFE (8 vs. 17.1 PgC) for SSP245 versus SSP370. The effect on water dynamics is that the SSP370 climate results in more evapotranspiration (ET) with less soil moisture and runoff, while the LULCC effect of SSP370 results in lower ET with more soil moisture and runoff. Both scenarios produce lower ET with elevated CO2, and more soil moisture and runoff. The SSP245 scenario has more afforestation and less deforestation than the SSP370 scenario, providing more potential carbon offsets for the voluntary carbon market. This study highlights the carbon and water benefits of a more sustainable LULCC scenario.

Parental engagement and transformation as a marker of quality in Early Childhood Education and Care

Despite the extensive research evidence about the importance of high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), English policy makers continue to promote nurseries for the ‘childcare’ they provide, rather than the transformational effects they can have in areas of socio-economic challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate if and how access to early years provision impacted on parents/carers and their children during the Covid pandemic in a newly established early years community research centre, situated in an area of economic and social challenge. Group analysis of interview data by a team of researchers and stakeholders suggests that access to nursery provision and the positive and trusting relationships within the nursery had a transformative impact on children and their parents/carers. Drawing on the data, we adopt an ecological perspective to theorise quality provision as holistic and relational and challenge policy makers to reconceptualise quality as a holistic endeavour. Specifically, this paper offers a new lens for policy makers to revisit existing evidence about the value of integrated care and education centres for improving child outcomes.

Utilizing community engagement to define research and clinical priorities for gender-affirming hormone therapy

Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations are often excluded from research or inappropriately grouped with other gender modalities despite significant disparities in health and health care. According to models of community-engaged research, involving TGD community members in establishing research priorities can improve the relevance and impact of research for this population. The purpose of this study was to clarify community priorities for research relevant to TGD populations. Methods Forty-five individuals participated across five asynchronous online focus groups. Participants discussed topics chosen in collaboration with a community research advisory board, including gender-affirming hormone therapy. Rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify salient themes. Results Research priorities voiced across all represented gender identities were: (1) Longitudinal, prospective research on long-term effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy, (2) Standardized training for providers and researchers, (3) Implementation research on methods to educate the public and reduce discrimination, and (4) Basic research on the biological, historical, and social underpinnings of gender identity. Conclusions This study provides insight into clinical priorities for TGD populations. Findings highlight a need for basic science research to better understand the underpinnings of gender identity, longitudinal studies to investigate long-term effects of hormone therapy, and education for the public on gender diversity to combat discrimination.

Importance of Language Localization: Attempts for Collecting and Publishing Specimen Data in Japan

Language localization is a process of adapting the needs of a certain linguistic community, including its cultural contexts, to adjust the nuance and wording of the original language. It is not just a translation from English, the de facto language of publication in the scientific community. This is particularly important in a linguistically diverse region such as Asia, including Japan, and thus language localization is crucial for developing an environment that enables the collection and utilization of biodiversity-related data in their first language. The Japan Biodiversity Information Initiative (JBIF) is an organization aiming to carry out activities of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) in Japan. In this presentation, we will introduce our experiences of language localization in JBIF, which includes improving access, adapting Japanese names (a kind of vernacular name), and images. JBIF has been working to improve the Japanese community’s access to GBIF data, translating the GBIF website, and a variety of other activities. These works are related to one of our missions, “utilization of biodiversity data.” Furthermore, Science Museum Net (S-Net), a portal site operated by the National Museum of Nature and Science (NMNS), has been collecting natural history specimen data from research institutions and museums, including NMNS itself; has disseminated data through GBIF; and has provided data searchability for domestic users. Language localization has contributed to internationally disseminating biodiversity information by improving access to global platforms. S-Net has adopted a data format that includes items written in Japanese and corresponding occurrence terms in the Darwin Core Standard (Darwin Core Task Group 2009), as well as several unique fields requested by domestic users. S-Net also designed the data entry flow, which allows the entire process—from submission to domestic and/or international publication—to be completed in Japanese. With this data entry process, S-Net has collected more than 7.3 million data records, the largest number in Asia, from more than 100 museums and institutions over the past 20 years. Along with government support, language localization inevitably helps reduce barriers for many participants, including small museums with limited capacity to submit specimen data. In this context, language localization is particularly crucial for the treatment of species names. In the Japanese community, many organisms have “Japanese names” that corresponds to each taxon. As Japanese names are familiar to both the scientific community and citizens in Japan, Japanese names are more widely used than scientific names. Therefore, scientific and citizen communities must be able to access biodiversity information using Japanese names. JBIF has provided a service to the GBIF database by converting the Japanese name to a scientific name using the species name dictionary. This required the development of a species list that includes Japanese names in addition to scientific names and serves as the backbone of the database. This localization could also apply to several Asian countries where there is a vernacular name system similar to that of Japan. Language localization also plays an important role in developing databases that include accompanying images with biodiversity information, a growing trend in Japan. With the amendment of the Museum Act in 2023, museums in Japan are now required to digitize and publish specimens and materials in their possession. By publishing and sharing specimen images, various uses beyond science are expected. Some museums, including NMNS, already have databases that can publish accompanying images with text data, while other museums, especially small museums, do not. S-Net is expected to add a function to publish images. S-Net is also connected to an integrated platform for searching aggregated metadata and images in various fields in Japan, such as data from museums, galleries, and libraries. Images should also contribute to improving the accuracy of biodiversity-related data by complementing language localization. During digitization, typing errors and misinterpretations may occur, and raw data such as handwritten labels may be lost. Publication of such accompanying information in images, other than the specimen itself, should allow data users to validate accuracy and identify potential errors to be corrected. S-Net should expand its role from improving image datasets by developing an image release system. To achieve this, it is essential to cultivate a culture of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reuse (FAIR) and open data, and to establish Creative Commons licensing and data handling protocols among stakeholders in Japan. We believe that our work serves as a valuable precedent for collection and dissemination of biodiversity information from Asia, and for fostering collaboration among research communities, citizens, and governments at appropriate scales in Asian countries and the rest of the world.

Nanotechnology Based Herbal Drug Delivery System: Current Insights and Future Prospects

Herbal medicines, integral to human history, remain vital in developing countries owing to the high costs of synthetic drugs, with 80% of the population relying on traditional practices. There has been an escalating focus within the scientific community on the exploration of phytoconstituents. This growing interest is due to the diverse benefits offered by herbal or plant- based ingredients. Despite the dominance of allopathic treatments, medicinal plants are still widely used but face challenges like poor absorption and low bioavailability. Many plant-derived pharmacologically active compounds, such as tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, show poor solubility in water. This low solubility, amalgamated with their inability to efficiently cross lipid-cell membranes due to their large molecular size, considerably hinders their absorption. These factors lead to declined efficacy and lower bioavailability of these compounds. Nanotechnology enhances the effectiveness of medicinal plants through strategies such as polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs) and liposomes, improving solubility, protection and controlled release. These advances revolutionize drug delivery, surging the bioavailability and therapeutic value of herbal formulations. Nanomedicine employs NPs and nanorobots for enhanced bioavailability, solubility and targeted delivery, despite challenges like understanding working principles, potential toxicity and production scalability. Innovations in biopolymer-based systems, including chitosan and alginate NPs and advanced delivery systems like dendrimers and inorganic NPs, show significant potential. NPs have been effectively utilized to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various drugs. By integrating biotechnological systems and phytosomes, the bioavailability and bioactivity of herbal drug formulations can be significantly enhanced. The future of nanomedicine is promising, with ongoing research enhancing therapy precision and effectiveness and reducing adverse effects, making continued exploration in this field highly worthwhile.

Assessment of permafrost-related hazards in China: based on Chinese literature

Abstract. High Mountain Asia (HMA) is undergoing unprecedented warming, affecting the cryosphere – including permafrost (frozen ground) – and leading to various hazards. However, understanding the prevalence, distribution, and dynamics of these hazards and how they respond to a changing climate is challenging. Permafrost is extensive in HMA, and China makes up a significant portion of this. The permafrost area in China is about 1.6×106 km2, 66 % of which is on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. However, most of the scientific literature concerning permafrost in China is published in Chinese and, hence, remains largely unnoticed by the non-Chinese-speaking scientific communities. In this article, we used a systematic review to evaluate the Chinese scientific literature on permafrost-related hazards and found that the studied areas are concentrated in certain areas, especially on the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor (QTEC). The increasing amount of literature on permafrost hazards reflects the increased impact of climate warming on infrastructure built on permafrost. Not only is permafrost affecting infrastructure; these anthropogenic disturbances themselves also have amplified the occurrence of hazards around settlements and infrastructure. The literature shows the strong relationship between latitude and elevation with permafrost thickness. The permafrost classification system and nomenclature used by Chinese scientists is different to that used elsewhere, which is a potential source of confusion and deserves attention.

Translation and validation of the caffeine use disorder questionnaire in Arabic

BackgroundDue to the elevated global prevalence of its consumption, and the detrimental health effects it can have, caffeine use disorder (CUD) should receive a great deal of attention from clinicians and the research community in Arab countries as an area of concern. To help advance the field, this study aimed to translate the Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ) into the Arabic language, and examine its psychometric properties in community adults.MethodsA descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from May to July 2024. Arabic-speaking adults from the general population of Lebanon (N = 1858, 49.8% males, mean age of 30.05 ± 11.39 years), reporting caffeine consumption at least once during the last 12 months, were included.ResultsThe study’s results provided support to the theoretical assumptions of unidimensionality of the original version of the CUDQ, with excellent composite reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.90). Furthermore, the structure of the Arabic CUDQ was equivalent across sex, suggesting that the latent CUD construct has the same meaning in male and female adults. The highest CUDQ scores were reported by participants drinking 7 to 9 cups and 10 cups or more of coffee/per day relative to those consuming lower amounts of coffee. Finally, our findings revealed good concurrent validity based on positive correlations of CUDQ scores with nicotine dependence, depression and anxiety scores.ConclusionOverall, findings suggest that the CUDQ is appropriate and suitable for use to measure CUD among Arabic-speaking adults from the general population. Making the CUDQ available in the Arabic language can fill a gap in the assessment of problematic caffeine consumption in Arab contexts. Future studies are required to further confirm the psychometric soundness of the Arabic CUDQ in more representative samples, specific populations and other Arab countries.

Our approach to developing communities of practice to foster research capacities for the adult social care workforce

Background Efforts to build and foster adult social care research in England have historically encountered more challenges to its growth and expansion compared with health research, with a sector facing significant barriers in facilitating research activity due to a lack of resourcing, poor valuation or understanding of the profile of social care research. The landscape for supporting the social care workforce to use, engage in and undertake research in adult social care has been rather bleak, but in recent years there has been recognition of the need to foster a social care workforce research community. The National Institute for Health and Care Research in England have committed to investing in social care research capacity by funding six adult social care partnerships, with one based in Southeast England. Setting up Communities of Practice (COPs) offers a model to build a shared learning space to foster a social care research community. Process developing COPs: Three online networking events were held in the first year of the project to engage managers and practitioners from the local authority and from the wider adult social care sector, taking place in July and November 2021, and March 2022. Two COPs were identified, following an ordering and thematising process of feedback from the networking events, of: (a) Supporting people with complex needs throughout the lifespan, and (b) Enhancing, diversifying and sustaining the social care workforce. Whilst it would be premature to identify their long-term impacts, the COPs have provided a space for regular communication, knowledge sharing and networking between members. Conclusions The COP framework offers a collaborative approach to initiating research from the grass-roots level in adult social care. This paper focuses on how the COP model offers great promise for knowledge-exchange providing a forum to generate and disseminate knowledge around social care in two COP domains.

The European Nucleotide Archive in 2024.

The European Nucleotide Archive (ENA, https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena), maintained at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) provides freely accessible services, both for deposition of, and access to, open nucleotide sequencing data. Open scientific data are of paramount importance to the scientific community and contribute daily to the acceleration of scientific advance. Outlined here are changes to and updates on the ENA service in 2024, aligning with the broad goals of enhancing interoperability, globalisation of the service and scaling the platform to meet current and future needs.

NASA open science data repository: open science for life in space.

Space biology and health data are critical for the success of deep space missions and sustainable human presence off-world. At the core of effectively managing biomedical risks is the commitment to open science principles, which ensure that data are findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable, reproducible and maximally open. The 2021 integration of the Ames Life Sciences Data Archive with GeneLab to establish the NASA Open Science Data Repository significantly enhanced access to a wide range of life sciences, biomedical-clinical and mission telemetry data alongside existing 'omics data from GeneLab. This paper describes the new database, its architecture and new data streams supporting diverse data types and enhancing data submission, retrieval and analysis. Features include the biological data management environment for improved data submission, a new user interface, controlled data access, an enhanced API and comprehensive public visualization tools for environmental telemetry, radiation dosimetry data and 'omics analyses. By fostering global collaboration through its analysis working groups and training programs, the open science data repository promotes widespread engagement in space biology, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in research. It supports the global scientific community in advancing our understanding of spaceflight's impact on biological systems, ensuring humans will thrive in future deep space missions.

UniProt: the Universal Protein Knowledgebase in 2025

Abstract The aim of the UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB; https://www.uniprot.org/) is to provide users with a comprehensive, high-quality and freely accessible set of protein sequences annotated with functional information. In this publication, we describe ongoing changes to our production pipeline to limit the sequences available in UniProtKB to high-quality, non-redundant reference proteomes. We continue to manually curate the scientific literature to add the latest functional data and use machine learning techniques. We also encourage community curation to ensure key publications are not missed. We provide an update on the automatic annotation methods used by UniProtKB to predict information for unreviewed entries describing unstudied proteins. Finally, updates to the UniProt website are described, including a new tab linking protein to genomic information. In recognition of its value to the scientific community, the UniProt database has been awarded Global Core Biodata Resource status.

Towards routine proteome profiling of FFPE tissue: insights from a 1,220-case pan-cancer study.

Proteome profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens has gained traction for the analysis of cancer tissue for the discovery of molecular biomarkers. However, reports so far focused on single cancer entities, comprised relatively few cases and did not assess the long-term performance of experimental workflows. In this study, we analyze 1220 tumors from six cancer entities processed over the course of three years. Key findings include the need for a new normalization method ensuring equal and reproducible sample loading for LC-MS/MS analysis across cohorts, showing that tumors can, on average, be profiled to a depth of >4000 proteins and discovering that current software fails to process such large ion mobility-based online fractionated datasets. We report the first comprehensive pan-cancer proteome expression resource for FFPE material comprising 11,000 proteins which is of immediate utility to the scientific community, and can be explored via a web resource. It enables a range of analyses including quantitative comparisons of proteins between patientsand cohorts, the discovery of protein fingerprints representing the tissue of origin or proteins enriched in certain cancer entities.

GPCRdb in 2025: adding odorant receptors, data mapper, structure similarity search and models of physiological ligand complexes.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-spanning transducers mediating the actions of numerous physiological ligands and drugs. The GPCR databaseGPCRdb supports a large global research community with reference data, analysis, visualization, experiment design and dissemination. Here, we describe our sixth major GPCRdb release starting with an overview of all resources for receptors and ligands. As a major addition, all ∼400 human odorant receptors and their orthologs in major model organisms can now be studied across the various data and tool resources. For the first time, a Data mapper page enables users to map their own data onto receptors visualized as a GPCRome wheel, tree, clusters, list or heatmap. The structure model data have been expanded with models of physiological ligand complexes and updated with new state-specific structure models of all human GPCRs (built using AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold and AlphaFold-Multistate). Furthermore, a structure or model (pdb file) can now be queried against GPCRdb's entire structure/model collection through a Structuresimilarity search page implementing FoldSeek. Finally, for ligands, new search tools can query names, database identifiers, similarities or substructures against integrated entries from the ChEMBL, Guide to Pharmacology, PDSP Ki, PubChem, DrugCentral and DrugBank databases. GPCRdb is available at https://gpcrdb.org.

The Role of HDAC6 in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A New Avenue to Therapeutic Interventions?

Despite the great advances in basic research results, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) still remains an incurable tumour. To date, a GBM diagnosis is a death sentence within 15-18 months, due to the high recurrence rate and resistance to conventional radio- and chemotherapy approaches. The effort the scientific community is lavishing on the never-ending battle against GBM is reflected by the huge number of clinical trials launched, about 2003 on 10 September 2024. However, we are still far from both an in-depth comprehension of the biological and molecular processes leading to GBM onset and progression and, importantly, a cure. GBM is provided with high intratumoral heterogeneity, immunosuppressive capacity, and infiltrative ability due to neoangiogenesis. These features impact both tumour aggressiveness and therapeutic vulnerability, which is further limited by the presence in the tumour core of niches of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that are responsible for the relapse of this brain neoplasm. Epigenetic alterations may both drive and develop along GBM progression and also rely on changes in the expression of the genes encoding histone-modifying enzymes, including histone deacetylases (HDACs). Among them, HDAC6-a cytoplasmic HDAC-has recently gained attention because of its role in modulating several biological aspects of GBM, including DNA repair ability, massive growth, radio- and chemoresistance, and de-differentiation through primary cilia disruption. In this review article, the available information related to HDAC6 function in GBM will be presented, with the aim of proposing its inhibition as a valuable therapeutic route for this deadly brain tumour.

Postdoc Perspectives on Leadership and Matters of Equity and Inclusion in Polar Science

AbstractIn 2023, the first Polar Postdoc Leadership Workshop convened to discuss present and future polar science issues and to develop leadership skills. The workshop discussions fostered a collective commitment to inclusive leadership within the polar science community among all participants. Here, we outline challenges encountered by underrepresented groups in polar sciences, while also noting that progress has been made to improve inclusivity in the field. Further, we highlight the inclusive leadership principles identified by workshop participants to bring to the polar community as we transition into leadership roles. Finally, insights and practical knowledge we gained from the workshop are shared, aiming to inform the community of our commitment to inclusive leadership and encourage the polar community to join us in pursuing action toward our shared vision for a more welcoming polar science future.

Numerical Investigation of Heat and Mass Transfer Characteristics in MHD Boundary Layer Flow of a Nanofluid over a Stretching Sheet

Nanofluids, which are simply suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid, have greater mass and heat transfer capabilities compared to regular fluids. Nanofluids are distinguished by their ability to transmit heat and mass. The potential applications of nanofluids in the scientific community have seen a spike in attention as a result of this. Simulations of the mass and heat transport parameters in magneto hydrodynamic boundary layer flow of a nanofluid across a stretched sheet are presented in this paper. These simulations were carried out using numerical methods. This investigation is going to look at a lot of important aspects, such as thermophoresis, Brownian motion, and the presence of a magnetic field that is applied. Continuity, momentum, energy, and concentration are the equations that are responsible for controlling the problem. The momentum equation takes into account the opposing magnetic field by means of the Lorentz force component. On the other hand, the energy and concentration equations take into account the mobility of the nanoparticles in the nanofluid as a result of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. Because of similarity transformations, the controlling partial differential equations are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations. This action is taken in order to make the numerical application of the solution more straightforward. Calculating numerical solutions to these modified equations using any common technique, such as the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg algorithm, is the next step that has to be taken. Utilizing this method, which is not only accurate but also time-saving, it is possible to solve issues that are associated with nonlinear boundary layers.

Comparing Confidence in Institutions among Latino and White Catholics and Evangelicals: Exploring Religious Differences

ABSTRACT Recent surveys reveal declines in the U.S. public’s confidence in various institutions. Although some studies link these declines to religious factors, few disaggregate these patterns across racial and ethnic groups. Here, we focus on Latinos—a growing segment of the U.S. population and an increasingly religiously diverse part of the electorate. Using original, nationally representative survey data (N=4,321), we compare Latino evangelicals and Catholics to their white counterparts in their confidence in five institutions (religious organizations, higher education, the scientific community, Congress, and the press). We find that Latino and white Catholics consistently show high levels of confidence across institutions relative to white evangelicals. Our findings suggest that there may be more similarities in institutional confidence among those of different racial and ethnic groups who share a similar religious tradition than those who are of the same race or ethnicity but share different religious traditions. Patterns observed highlight the importance of examining institutional confidence through an intersectional lens that considers religious diversity within and across racial and ethnic groups.

Prediction of CO2 emissions to achieve net-zero objectives in the iron and steel sectors of North America

ABSTRACT Predictive models are widely used to create effective plans for reducing CO2 emissions in manufacturing. The Iron and Steel (I&S) industries play a crucial role in meeting international commitments to achieve Net-zero emissions by 2050. The objective of this study is to forecast carbon dioxide emissions from the I&S industries in North America through the utilization of a Multi-Objective Mathematical model. The proposed data-driven approach is integrated with various machine learning algorithms capable of accurately predicting future values with a small dataset. Additionally, sensitivity analyses under different scenarios are conducted to evaluate the impact of implementing proposed solutions by the research community. Results show a significant improvement in accuracy through the employment of the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). Forecasts reveal a sustained increment of 0.7 MtCO2 every year spanning between 2022 and 2050. This study provides valuable information for stakeholders and policymakers as it allows a more precise evaluation to integrate new technologies to abate forthcoming CO2 emissions.

Economic Analysis, Yield Optimization, and Competition Dynamics of Groundnut/Cereal Fodder Intercropping Systems in Pakistan's Semi Arid Tropics

This research focuses on the intercropping management options including aspects of yield performance, nitrogen contribution to groundnut and economical considerations through the usage of intercrop Maize, Sorghum and Pearl Millet under varying cuttings treatments. Intercropping is effective in increasing land productivity and efficiency in nutrient use and provides economic returns yet the best combinations have not been well explored. Randomised complete block design was used to assess the growth characteristics of plant height, modulation and nitrogen in sole cropping and intercropping treatments in which they make cuts. For sole crop, both, maize and pearl millet produced the highest green fodder yields of 13.40 t ha⁻¹ and 19.10 t ha⁻¹, respectively, and intercropping reduced the productivity for both crops but it was statistically significant, yield recorded in Maize (one cut) groundnut = 3.10 t ha⁻¹. Both nodulation and nitrogen content were maximum in sole groundnut, but they were lower when groundnut was grown in association with other crops. Among all competitive indices, the LER was the highest on maize (LER=1.72), pearl millet and sorghum indicated that intercropping enhances land use efficiency. This was facilitated by the Monetary Advantage Index (MAI) that provided much support to maize-groundnut intercrop, which was easily identified as the most appropriate option for inter-crop revenue generation with an MAI of Rs. 17,800. These results provide evidence for the suitability of maize as the best intercrop for the enhancement of productivity and profitability in groundnut based intercropping systems. This study adds valuable input to sustainable agriculture, particularly in that it expresses the yields and profits from distinct intercrop associations as numeral digits deemed useful by both the scientific and agricultural communities.