Life Sciences and Environmental Research Journal
Life Sciences and Environmental Research Journal (LSERJ) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by SYNERGY EDUCATIONAL LEARNING INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED. The journal provides a platform for researchers, academics, and professionals to publish high-quality research in life sciences and environmental studies. It promotes innovative research and practical applications in biological sciences, ecology, and environmental sustainability. The journal is published semiannually. Scope The journal covers a broad range of topics in biosciences and environmental research, including but not limited to: Molecular and Cellular Biology Genetics and Genomics Microbiology and Biotechnology Ecology and Environmental Biology Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Plant and Animal Sciences Biochemistry and Physiology Environmental Sustainability and Climate Studies Biomedical and Translational Research Agricultural and Aquatic Sciences
SYNERGY EDUCATIONAL LEARNING INSTITUTE (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED
ANIMAL WELFARE ASSESSMENT IN INTENSIVE FARMING SYSTEMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
This is a systematic literature review that goes to compile evidence regarding the application of animal welfare assessment techniques in intensive farming systems. Valuation of performance Performance of validation, species-specific welfare and practical feasibility review are evaluated with regard to dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs and broilers and laying hens. Resource based indicators can never perform as well as animal based in their diagnostic performance and they are therefore very well balanced. Precision Livestock Famering New technologies are finding an increased integration, but must be more broadly validated. Findings show that converged, scaled and scientifically sound systems of welfare evaluation are required.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
POPULATION-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES COMORBIDITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTIVE HEALTH
This is a population-based study that explores dual comorbidity such as hypertension and diabetes and their implications concerning preventive health in different groups of the population. The method adopted was a mixed-method in order to collect data on electronic medical, and community health surveys and clinical screening programs, which included both urban and rural individuals aged between 18 and 75 years. The findings show that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between high levels of fasting glucose levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure with the comorbidity being most prevalent among individuals who were aged between 45 and 65. Regression modeling showed that patients with underlying diabetes were more likely to develop uncontrolled hypertension 2.431.9 times and hypertensive individuals were more likely to develop towards impaired glucose tolerance 1.92.6 times. It was also found that obesity (BMI>30), physical inactivity and poor socioeconomic status aggravated illness clustering. At home where access to preventive care was limited and where the dietary variety was poor, the total risk was nearly two times higher. Subgroup analysis showed that comorbidity development was reduced by more than 32 percent with early screening and regular medication adherence over a three-year period and much lower in communities where preventive health programs were organized. The paper highlights the urgent need of integrated primary care strategies, screening (risk-stratified) and lifestyle-based interventions to mitigate the aggregate burden of comorbidity of hypertension and diabetes on population health.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nashwa Ahmed, Kamran Yousuf (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COGNITIVE REHABILITATION STRATEGIES IN POST-STROKE PATIENTS: A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Stroke typically results into long-lasting cognitive deficits which prevent functional recovery; however, the optimal combination of rehabilitation approaches remains a clinical research question to be answered. The efficacy of structured cognitive rehabilitation program in post stroke patients was evaluated in this study using a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation strategy. The pre-post evaluation design involved a specific, domain based training of attention, memory, executive functions and visuospatial skills of the participants, and a compensatory strategy training and caregiver supported home practice. At the start of the therapy and on the end, neuropsychological tests and the functional indices were gathered. The findings indicated that there were significant improvements in general cognitive functioning with the most consistent improvement being seen in executive functioning and attention followed by improvements in working memory and delayed recollection. People were also better able to deal with their daily tasks and participate, so it is not surprising that functional outcomes also improved, along with cognitive increases. The patients who have lesser initial impairments and more adherence to therapy had comparatively better recovery curves, and those with more notable deficits had comparatively better targeted gains, particularly when compensatory strategies were prioritized. The results support the treatment effectiveness of the individualized, multi-dimensional cognitive rehabilitation after stroke, the importance of neuropsychological profiling in supporting treatment plans, monitoring improvement, and improving reintegration into functioning.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maryam Javed, Shahid Mehmood (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING BLOOD DONATION AND TRANSFUSION SAFETY PRACTICES IN RESOURCE-LIMITED REGIONS
The paper assesses the safety measure of blood donation and blood transfusion in the area that is burdened with resources, including the barriers, safety measures, and outcomes of blood transfusion medications. Countless low-resource settings have restricted access to clean blood, absence of screening tests and adequate facilities which raise the risks of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) and complications to transfusion blood. The analysis of them reveals that there are major gaps in the implementation of safety standards in blood banks and the healthcare facilities in such areas, which the study takes note of. The weaknesses that are encountered here include screening of donors, blood storage and post-transfusion follow up. The findings indicate that a strong relationship exists between the enhancement of blood donation behavior and the decreasing transfusion-related problems. The results demonstrate that the implementation of standard safety equipment, the improvement of education and training of medical workers, and the enhanced level of awareness about the population about blood donation can contribute greatly to the safety of transfusion process in the regions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rimsha Yaqoob, Adnan Masood (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FUNCTIONAL MRI ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE DECLINE IN EARLY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
This paper discusses the importance of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMMRI) in assessing cognitive decline in individuals with mild cases of the Alzheimer Disease (AD). We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer disease (AD) involved in the fMRI analysis of brain activity and connectivity. We have found that the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) and the hippocampal hippocampus and other cortical regions are significantly reduced which is consistent with the patients of the Alzheimer disease (AD) patients with cognitive impairments. We also observed that tasks related patterns of brain activity was not functioning well in the regions that are of significance to memory, attention and executive function. The results show that fMRI may serve as a reliable tool in detecting the initial changes in brain functioning associated with cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer disease that can provide great information on the disease progression and help to make a diagnosis at its early stages.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sobia Anjum, Fahad Karim (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RAPID DIAGNOSTIC PROTOCOLS FOR ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) is a set of conditions considered to be life threatening and need to be detected and treated instantly particularly in emergency departments (ED). The study will quantify the usefulness of rapid diagnostic protocols (RDP) in identifying ACS patients and enhancing the early treatment options in the emergency department (ED). The research paper examines various diagnostic methods that include biomarker testing, electrocardiogram (ECG) testing and advanced imaging methods in terms of their time efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. The most notable results show that the utilization of integrated RDP will shorten the time frame spent to get a diagnosis, simplify the procedure of discovering ACS, and give a chance to establish such treatment as antiplatelet therapy, thrombolysis, or percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) in time. The given paper is devoted to the significance of the multidisciplinary approach to the emergency care environment with the view to reducing delays and enhancing patient outcomes. The results show that RDP must be constantly improved and exercised to help physicians to make more adequate decisions regarding high-risk ACS patients.
Copyright (c) 2025 Areej Fatima (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PERSONALIZED CANCER TREATMENT: THE PROMISE OF GENOMIC PROFILING
Individual cancer care is fast taking over cancer treatment because it focuses on the internal genetic expression of someone by using personalized cancer care so that the treatment is designed to match the genetic expression of an individual. High-throughput technologies and various technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) allow profiling the impacts to the genome of tumors, which is essential to designing targeted treatment. This article discusses the implications of genomic profiling in personalized cancer therapy and highlights how it can transform the efficacy of treatment, decrease the range of side effects and how it can improve the precision of therapy.Genomic profiling technologies that may be used in the methodology include NGS, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and liquid biopsies, as well as bioinformatics analysis, data processing, alignment, variant calling, and annotation. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are becoming common in analyzing complex genomic data to discover biomarkers, match treatment and predict disease progression.The findings of the study show the usefulness of the genomic profile in personalizing cancer treatment as the data show that there is a wide range in the prevalence with the genomic sequence and the response to the treatment and the results show that there is a big importance of molecular sub-typing in different cancer types and different patients. Liquid biopsies also have the potential to be used to monitor and detect resistance mutations in a non-invasive nature that identifies dynamic treatment approaches of disease. Genetic change such as tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) is recognized as a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy. The economics of the genomic testing, especially the high-throughput tools cost, is also taken into account.As it can be concluded, the individualized treatment of cancer which is humanized based upon a genomic profile is a paradigm-shift in cancer treatment. With the aid of expensive sequencing technologies and highly complex bioinformatics, this method has considerable potential to streamline therapeutic approaches, improve patient outcomes, and allow more personal and flexible treatment of cancer, though new challenges persist to deal with the cost and assimilation of data.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Inam Farooq, Syeda Iram Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ADVANCES IN PRECISION MEDICINE: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH TO PATIENT CARE
The rise of the precision medicine as one of the main paradigms in contemporary healthcare provides an opportunity to employ customized medical interventions that are dependent on distinct genetic, environmental, and lifestyle parameters. It is a drastic shift towards the old method of a one size fits all approach that is sure to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment effectiveness in different fields of medicine.The methodology that surrounds this study is multi-dimensional in that it combines the elements of next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and machine learning algorithms to interpret patient-specific datasets. It is expected that by using models driven with artificial intelligence, genomic and clinical data, the research will be able to optimize patient stratification, response to drugs, and outcome monitoring.The findings show significant advantages in identifying the diagnostic accuracy, predicting treatment response, and patient classification due to biomarkers. The AI-enhanced models were more accurate and sensitive than the legacy risk predictors, and the pharmacogenomic analysis demonstrated a high variability of the response to the treatments among interindividuals. Integration of multi-omics data also allowed discovering new gene-expression patterns associated with disease phenotypes and clinical outcomes.The results demonstrate the transformational nature of precision medicine towards enhancing personalized care of patients. The paper however admits that there exist a number of ongoing challenges associated with data standardization, ethical issues, infrastructure and health equity. The disposal of explainable AI mechanisms was crucial in developing transparency and clinical applicability of the outcomes, which will extend to the interpretation of more credible and trustworthy AI solutions in healthcare.To sum up this research, it proves once again that precision medicine is one of the foundations of a new healthcare system. By engaging in interdisciplinary practice and deploying technology on a scalable level, personalized care is a possibility that can be achieved atop a diverse population, and eventually, lead to the improvement of patient outcomes, and overall contain health disparities all over the globe.
Copyright (c) 2024 Saad Abdullah, Usama Raza (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INTEGRATING HABITAT MODELING AND GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR EFFECTIVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN SOUTH ASIA
Biodiversity loss in South Asia is accelerating due to habitat degradation, climate change, and genetic isolation, placing iconic species like the Bengal tiger and Indian rhinoceros at heightened risk. Effective conservation requires a multidimensional approach that considers both ecological suitability and genetic resilience. This study presents an integrated methodology combining habitat modeling with genetic diversity analysis to inform conservation planning for endangered species across South Asia.Using spatial distribution models and genetic heterozygosity indices, we evaluated habitat suitability and population health across key reserves and ecological corridors. The methodology incorporated environmental variable weighting, spatial simulations under climate change scenarios, and comparative assessments of inbreeding coefficients and gene flow metrics across fragmented populations. Wildlife corridors were optimized through combined landscape and genomic analyses to maximize connectivity and adaptive capacity.The findings reveal significant variation in habitat suitability across reserves, with environmental variables like forest cover and temperature exerting strong influence. Genetic assessments identified populations with reduced diversity and elevated inbreeding risk, emphasizing the need for genetic rescue and translocation. Simulation models predicted enhanced gene flow and population stability with strategically placed corridors and projected climate adaptation zones.This study concludes that conservation strategies informed by both habitat and genetic data offer superior precision and long-term efficacy. By aligning spatial ecology with molecular insights, policymakers and conservationists can design interventions that are both ecologically grounded and evolutionarily sustainable. Institutionalizing this integrated framework across South Asian conservation programs could significantly bolster species recovery and ecosystem resilience in the face of mounting environmental and anthropogenic pressures.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Asad, Muhammad Umair (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INTEGRATING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Climate change poses a significant and escalating threat to global food security, disrupting agricultural productivity, reducing crop yields, and destabilizing food supply chains. In response, sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) have gained recognition as critical strategies for enhancing resilience and ensuring long-term food availability, particularly in vulnerable regions.This study investigates the integration of SAPs—such as organic farming, conservation tillage, agroforestry, and integrated pest management—into conventional farming systems to assess their effectiveness in mitigating climate-induced agricultural challenges. A mixed-method approach combining empirical data analysis and global case study review was employed to evaluate impacts on yield, soil health, water efficiency, and supply chain stability.The findings demonstrate that the adoption of SAPs significantly improves food production outcomes and ecological sustainability. Results show measurable improvements in crop yields, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, enhanced water use efficiency, and greater soil fertility in systems employing SAPs compared to conventional methods. The study also reveals a positive correlation between supportive policy environments, technological adoption, and successful SAP implementation.In conclusion, sustainable agricultural practices offer a viable, scalable solution to combat the adverse effects of climate change on global food systems. However, the paper emphasizes that the widespread adoption of these practices is constrained by systemic challenges such as financial limitations, policy fragmentation, and insufficient infrastructure in developing countries. Addressing these barriers requires coordinated policy efforts, investment in agricultural research, and multilevel stakeholder collaboration to ensure equitable, resilient, and climate-smart food systems for the future.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Asad Hameed, Muhammad Arif (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ADVANCEMENTS IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES: TRANSFORMING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The accelerating global environmental crisis and intensifying effects of climate change have brought urgent attention to the role of green technologies in transforming energy consumption and waste management. As nations strive to transition toward low-carbon economies, green innovations offer promising pathways for reducing ecological footprints and enhancing sustainability across sectors.This study explores recent advancements in green technologies through a comprehensive techno-environmental analysis, focusing on renewable energy systems, smart grid integration, energy-efficient construction materials, and circular waste management practices. The methodology includes comparative assessments of solar and wind innovations, evaluation of energy storage and smart grid efficiency, and the integration of waste-to-energy and recycling technologies, particularly in the context of developing countries like Pakistan.The results demonstrate significant improvements in energy savings, waste reduction, and carbon emission mitigation across multiple sectors. Solar and wind energy technologies achieved substantial gains in output and efficiency, while smart grids and energy storage systems enhanced grid reliability and responsiveness. Waste management systems incorporating anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis showed high conversion efficiency, and recycling initiatives significantly improved material recovery rates when supported by policy and public engagement. Public perception data revealed strong support for sustainability practices, correlating with improved outcomes in urban waste segregation and energy adoption rates.In conclusion, the study underscores the transformative potential of green technologies in achieving global sustainability goals. However, realizing their full potential requires overcoming financial, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges through cross-sector collaboration, innovative financing, and public education. Scaling these solutions at the national and international levels is imperative for fostering resilient, low-carbon economies and ensuring a sustainable future for subsequent generations.
Copyright (c) 2024 Abdul Jabbar, Uran Abazi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIOPESTICIDES VS. CHEMICAL PESTICIDES IN MANAGING BROWN PLANTHOPPER INFESTATIONS IN RICE
The increasing environmental and health concerns associated with the widespread use of synthetic chemical pesticides in rice cultivation have highlighted the urgent need for sustainable pest management alternatives. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of biopesticides and chemical pesticides in managing brown planthopper (BPH) infestations in rice fields through a combination of field trials and stakeholder assessments. Results from eight comprehensive tables and ten visual figures revealed that while chemical pesticides achieved the highest immediate reduction in BPH populations and slightly superior yields (5.4 tons/ha), biopesticides performed competitively (5.0 tons/ha) with significantly lower pesticide residues in rice grains (0.05 mg/kg vs. 0.35 mg/kg), aligning with food safety standards. It was evident that biopesticides reduced crop damage much more than did chemical pesticides and when their influence on the environment was examined, biopesticides proved less harmful. Biopsesticides needed to be used more often, but they made farmers happier (82%) and more likely to decide to use them (75%). Compared to vertebrates, biopesticide use enhanced the net profit of farmers thanks to good plant health and greater sales potential due to less chemical residue. The findings highlight that biopesticides are a good, environmentally friendly option for handling pests, especially if included as one part of a wider approach. This research suggests a change to sustainable farming, supporting greater biopesticide use by strengthening policies, education and further research.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OVER-FERTILIZATION IN RICE CULTIVATION: A GIS-BASED SPATIAL RISK ANALYSIS
Over-fertilization in rice cultivation presents a significant environmental threat, contributing to nutrient leaching, groundwater contamination, eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems, and long-term soil degradation. This study employed a GIS-based spatial risk analysis to assess the environmental impact of fertilizer overuse across major rice-growing regions. By integrating multi-source spatial data—including fertilizer application rates, soil types, topography, and hydrological proximity—we identified critical hotspot zones and quantified regional vulnerability to nutrient-driven ecological degradation. The results revealed that southern and western regions exhibit the highest fertilizer input, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which correlates with elevated risk indices for runoff and leaching. Soil analysis showed that sandy soils, with poor nutrient retention capacity, intensified the environmental risk in these areas. Groundwater analysis indicated that nitrate concentrations in the East and North approached or exceeded WHO safety limits, signifying acute contamination. The risk of eutrophication at the catchment level was greatest in regions C3 and C5, shown by increased phosphorus loading and chlorophyll-a levels. GIS-based hotspot mapping highlighted zones Z1 and Z3 as essential intervention locations due to their elevated composite environmental risk. A regression analysis of fertiliser input and crop output revealed diminishing returns on nitrogen application, underscoring economic inefficiencies and environmental detriment. These findings highlight the necessity for precise fertilisation, sustainable nutrient management strategies, and focused policy actions. The research illustrates the effectiveness of GIS as a decision-support instrument in pinpointing high-risk areas and directing region-specific environmental management approaches for sustainable rice farming
ANESTHESIA-INDUCED IMMUNE MODULATION IN SEPSIS PATIENTS: A TRANSLATIONAL STUDY ON INFLAMMATORY PATHWAYS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES
Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality in critical care, often exacerbated by immune dysregulation. While anesthetic agents are indispensable during surgical interventions, their influence on immune function in septic patients remains underexplored. This translational study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of different anesthetic techniques volatile anesthesia versus total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on inflammatory markers, immune cell profiles, and clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis.There were 120 surgical sepsis patients and they were divided into two groups to be given TIVA (propofol) or volatile anaesthetics (isoflurane/sevoflurane). Blood was taken at the beginning, during the surgery and after surgery to look at immune cells, check how active the NF-κB pathway was and determine the levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α cytokines. Some clinical metrics were the occurrence of surgical infections, mortality within 28 days, how long patients stayed in the intensive care unit and the use of dialysis. Researchers did in vitro studies where PBMCs were challenged with endotoxin after exposure to anaesthetics. Patients treated with TIVA had lower postoperative IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines which implied their immune system was working more efficiently. When NF-κB was less active in the TIVA group, immune balance was also better. Compared with AIVA, TIVA was shown to result in a shorter ICU period, less infection and a lower death rate (19.4% vs. 29.3%) analyzing immune profiles from TIVA patients, revealed more advantageous numbers of neutrophils and better-preserved CD4+ T cells. Propofol decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the in vitro study compared to volatile anesthetics. By controlling inflammation, TIVA is more useful than volatile anaesthetics in cases of sepsis and it increases the positive effects on important clinical outcomes. Since individualised immunomodulation plays a role, anaesthetic strategy should be seen as something that can be changed in sepsis therapy. This demonstrates the need for greater study of sepsis management in patients receiving anaesthesia.
POST-VACCINATION IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN SMALL RUMINANTS: A COMPARATIVE FIELD STUDY OF COMMERCIAL VACCINES
The study determined the immunological response of small ruminants after vaccination with live-attenuated, inactivated, and subunit-commercial vaccines. A total of 120 sheep and goats were registered and equally assigned to each vaccine group. Their hematological, humoral, cellular, cytokine, and innate immune systems were thoroughly evaluated. Total white blood cell counts (12.8 ± 1.2 x10 3 /uL), lymphocyte counts (62.3 +/- 6.0%), and neutrophil counts (55.7 +/- 5.6%) were significantly higher in the live-attenuated vaccine group as compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). The live-attenuated group showed the highest antibody titer on day 28 (96.8 +/- 7.5 ELISA units) and the IgG response remained at the same level until day 90. Live-attenuated vaccines induced a significant expansion of both the CD4+ (1050 ± 80 cells/l) and CD8+ (750 ± 65 cells/l) T cell populations (p < 0.001) that correlated strongly with antibody titers (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). The cytokine analysis revealed that the level of IFN- 7 was high (42.8 +/- 4.5 pg/mL) indicating that the activation of Th1 was intense. Conversely, IL-4 concentration was greater in individuals that received the subunit vaccine (24.7 ± 2.8 pg/mL) and this indicated that the immune response was skewed towards humoral immunity. The regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF -b were moderately elevated in all the vaccinated groups. As an intrinsic biomarker, the activity of lysozyme was significantly higher in the live-attenuated subjects (15.6 ± 1.5 U/mL). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that live-attenuated vaccines (OR = 5.62), IFN- 7 levels (OR = 3.74), and CD4+ count (OR = 2.85) are important predictors of a strong immune response (p < 0.001). All these data suggest that live-attenuated vaccines are better and confer more broad-spectrum immunity by combining robust humoral, cellular, and innate immunity, and should be a priority to achieve optimal disease prevention in small ruminants
PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR TYPING OF BRUCELLA SPP. IN CAMEL HERDS OF DESERT PASTORAL SYSTEMS
Brucellosis remains a considerable threat to individuals that reside in desert pastoral systems whereby camels hold great significance to their livelihood. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and molecular characteristic of Brucella spp. infection in camel herds. We checked 450 camels by serology (RBT and CFT), molecular (PCR and multiplex PCR) and genomic (MLST and WGS) tests. Serology revealed that 29.33 per cent of the samples tested positive (RBT) and 26.22 per cent tested positive (CFT). PCR targeted to the bcsp31 gene confirmed presence of Brucella DNA in 27.56 percentage of samples. Species-specific PCR revealed that B. melitensis prevailed (54.84%), followed by B. abortus (33.06%) and multiple infections (12.10%). MLST revealed that the most prevalent sequence types were ST-8, ST-5 and ST-11. Instead, WGS analysis provided entire genomic portraits that revealed SNPs, indels, and mobile genetic elements associated with regional clusters. The genes of several of the isolates caused resistance to antibiotics such as tetracycline (70 percent), aminoglycoside (40 percent) and sulfonamide (25 percent). All the major risk factors of infection were poor biosecurity, shared grazing, and herd mixing. These findings demonstrate the complexity of the epidemiology of camel brucellosis and highlight the importance of molecular-based surveillance, improved herd management practices, and targeted intervention strategies to reduce the economic and health impact of this disease.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Umer Farooq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INTERCROPPING LEGUMES AND NON-LEGUMES TO ENHANCE PHOSPHORUS BIOAVAILABILITY IN DEFICIENT SOILS
Phosphorus (P) deficiency remains a critical barrier to sustainable crop production, particularly in calcareous and arid soils where its bioavailability is severely limited. This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating rock phosphate (RP)-enriched compost and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) within legume–non-legume intercropping systems to enhance phosphorus solubilization, improve soil health, and boost crop productivity. A field experiment employing various treatments—including RP, RP+compost, and RP+compost+PGPR—was conducted under a randomized block design. Results revealed that RP-enriched compost, when inoculated with PGPR, significantly increased available phosphorus in the soil (up to 18.7 mg/kg), enhanced phosphatase activity (up to 38.4 µmol PNP/g soil/h), and boosted microbial biomass carbon levels (averaging 476 mg/kg). Notably, legume crops exhibited higher phosphorus uptake and biomass than non-legumes, particularly under bioaugmented treatments. The soil pH was observed to decline in biologically treated plots, indicating enhanced acidification conducive to phosphate mineral solubilization. PGPR strains demonstrated strong phosphate solubilization zones (up to 15.3 mm), high IAA production (up to 33.4 µg/ml), and significant siderophore activity, validating their role in nutrient mobilization. Intercropping further promoted rhizospheric microbial activity, phosphorus cycling, and overall nutrient use efficiency. Compared to conventional superphosphate application, the integrated RP+Compost+PGPR strategy showed superior performance across all soil and plant health indicators, confirming its viability as a sustainable alternative. These findings underscore the agronomic and ecological potential of biologically enhanced intercropping systems in optimizing phosphorus utilization and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, offering a resilient and eco-friendly pathway for future agricultural practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Irum , Ahmed Mukhtar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA ONSET
This study investigates the association between prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants and the development of childhood asthma, a major global health concern. Using a retrospective cohort design, data were collected on prenatal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and maternal smoking. These data were linked with clinical outcomes including asthma diagnosis, frequency of wheezing episodes, and hospital visits among children aged 5–10 years. Our results reveal a significant association between elevated prenatal exposure to air pollutants and increased risk of childhood asthma. Specifically, children in the highest quartile of PM2.5 exposure exhibited the greatest incidence of asthma. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a 2.1-fold increase in asthma risk. Furthermore, asthmatic children demonstrated higher mean concentrations of all pollutants, more wheezing episodes, and increased hospital admissions compared to their non-asthmatic peers. Inflammatory biomarkers including IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, and IgE were also significantly elevated in asthmatic children, suggesting pollution-induced immune activation. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the independent predictive value of PM2.5, VOCs, and maternal smoking, with statistically significant odds ratios. Correlation heatmaps further highlighted strong inter-relationships between pollutant exposure and respiratory morbidity. These findings support the hypothesis that prenatal environmental insults disrupt fetal immune and respiratory development, increasing susceptibility to asthma. The study highlights the importance of minimizing prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants through targeted public health strategies and regulatory action. It also emphasizes the integration of environmental exposure screening in prenatal care as a preventive measure to reduce childhood asthma burden.
Copyright (c) 2025 Life Sciences and Environmental Research Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS ON REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY AND FERTILITY MARKERS IN DAIRY COWS IN ARID CLIMATES
This study investigates the impact of heat stress on reproductive efficiency and fertility markers in dairy cows maintained under arid climatic conditions, where extreme thermal load threatens livestock productivity and reproductive performance. A cross-sectional quantitative study involving six commercial dairy farms encompassed the analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers, assessments of oocyte quality, hormonal profiling, physiological monitoring, as well as the evaluation of embryo development. The results obtained confirmed chronic exposure to heat stress as continuously high temperature-humidity index (THI) values (>82) were coupled with increased respiratory rates and rectal temperatures. Reproductive performance was severely compromised with more days available to breed (mean: 147 days), reduced conception rates (down to 25%), and increased pregnancy loss (up to 18 per cent). Hormonal tests in animals subjected to heat stress showed reduced levels of progesterone, estrogen, LH and FSH that were related to reduced reproductive competence. Oocyte quality was substantially lower under thermal stress when maturation rates were lowered by 31 percent and degeneration increased threefold compared to controls. These adverse effects were also corroborated by in vitro embryo development that indicated that heat-stressed cows significantly lower rates of cleavage and blastocyst development (53 and 21 percent, respectively). Oxidative stress markers were increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and reduced antioxidant defenses (TAC and SOD activity), which demonstrated that there is a strong mechanistic relationship between oxidative imbalance and reproductive failure. Correlation analysis confirmed strong associations between THI and reproductive variables of interest and seasonal comparisons revealed that fertility parameters restored partially under cooler conditions. To enhance resilience and sustain productivity amid climate stress, the findings outlined the grave challenge presented by heat stress on the fertility of dairy cows in arid climates and the need to incorporate multiple approaches to mitigation, which comprises of environmental management, genetic selection, nutritional supplementation, and assisted reproductive technologies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jahanzaib Khaliq, Shafiq Ur Rahman, Muhiuddin Shah, Ikram Ullah, Shakeel Khan, Tayyab Ahmad, Khalida Bibi, Yasir Khan, Naila Khaliq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEURODEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE
Preterm birth remains a significant contributor to neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment, particularly in infants diagnosed with chronic lung disease (CLD). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CLD and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. Utilizing a retrospective cohort design, we analyzed data from a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit, focusing on developmental assessments conducted at 18–24 months corrected age. Infants with CLD demonstrated significantly lower mean scores across cognitive (85 vs. 93), language (80 vs. 88), and motor (78 vs. 90) domains on the Bayley-III scales compared to those without CLD (p < 0.005 across domains). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse neurological outcomes such as cerebral palsy (18% vs. 8%), behavioral disorders (25% vs. 12%), and sensory impairments was markedly higher in the CLD group. Neuroimaging revealed an increased prevalence of white matter injury, cerebellar hemorrhage, and delayed myelination in CLD-affected infants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified CLD as a strong independent predictor of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.6–5.2, p < 0.001), even after accounting for gestational age, sepsis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. These findings underscore the systemic impact of CLD beyond respiratory morbidity, particularly its influence on cerebral development during a critical period of brain maturation. The study highlights the importance of early identification and interdisciplinary management of high-risk preterm infants to mitigate long-term cognitive and behavioral deficits. Ultimately, this research advances our understanding of the pathophysiological link between pulmonary and neurological outcomes and emphasizes the need for integrated neonatal care strategies.
INVESTIGATING ENDOGENOUS ANTIOXIDANT RESPONSES IN PLANTS UNDER CHRONIC ULTRAVIOLET-B RADIATION
Chronic ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation poses a persistent environmental stressor that compromises plant physiological and biochemical homeostasis. This study investigated the endogenous antioxidant responses of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Arabidopsis thaliana under sustained UV-B exposure (3.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹ for 30 days) to elucidate the dynamic defense mechanisms that mitigate oxidative stress. A time-course analysis revealed significant temporal modulation of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Enzyme activities—including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)—increased progressively, with peak activity observed at day 30, indicating an adaptive antioxidative response. Non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA), also showed elevated levels, reinforcing their critical roles in redox buffering. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), demonstrated significant accumulation under UV-B stress, though Arabidopsis maintained lower levels than tomato, suggesting species-specific efficiency in oxidative mitigation. Gene expression profiling further confirmed the biochemical trends, showing upregulation of SOD1, CAT2, and APX1, with the highest transcript levels aligning with biochemical peaks. Correlation analysis established strong associations between antioxidant activities and the reduction of oxidative stress markers, highlighting the functional relevance of these defense pathways. Overall, the findings underscore the complex, coordinated interplay of biochemical and molecular components involved in plant acclimation to prolonged UV-B radiation. This study contributes novel insights into species-specific oxidative defense mechanisms, offering a scientific basis for breeding or engineering UV-resilient crops in light of intensifying solar radiation due to climatic changes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Asad Hameed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEUROEPIGENETICS AND PLASTICITY IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington result in serious working deficiency of the neurons. The changes in the way synaptic plasticity and gene expression behave, as a rule, cause these problems, and they are not functioning properly. It is an example of mixed-methods experimental research studies that investigate neuroepigenetic origins of these problems integrating a combination of molecular profiling, electrophysiological tests and expert analysis. We analyzed crucially regulated markers by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, measure of DNA methylation and protein quantification of rodent models of both types of illness. These were HDACs, BDNF, CREB and MeCP2. Meanwhile hippocampus slice recording was fulfilled to examine the synaptic plasticity based on LTP and LTD indexes. The diseased groups possessed significantly higher HDAC and DNA methylation and lower amounts of BDNF and CREB levels as that of controls. The quantitative research revealed a positive correlation among histone acetylation and plasticity score as well as a negative correlation between the level of HDAC and plasticity score. What scatterplot and PCA projections demonstrated was that the illness models came together in varying combinations depending on their epigenetic and functional features. The poorest deficiencies in plasticity were recorded in Huntington and Parkinson groups. The analysis of the interviews with experts supported the idea that targeting epigenetic modifiers can be beneficial in research, when considering the perspective of HDAC inhibitors, and environmental enrichment as an option when it comes to treatment. The relationships between epigenetic status and neurofunctional outcomes were more evident due to figures of expression profile, synaptic index, correlation matrix and PCA. The combination of these outcomes gives convincing evidence regarding the role of neuroepigenetic control in the making of synapses strong or weak in neurodegenerative disease conditions. This work contributes to our understanding of the mechanics behind neurodegenerative diseases as well as how these diseases can be treated because it highlights specific epigenetic pathways that can be altered to interrupt the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases.
Copyright (c) 2023 Ranya Mohammed Elmagzoub, Zafar Aleem Suchal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DUAL-PURPOSE URBAN GREEN SPACES: INTEGRATING BOTANICAL, WILDLIFE, AND PHYSIOTHERAPY FUNCTIONALITY
It is beginning to dawn on people that urban green areas are beneficial to nature and they can even make people feel good. A combination of the methods is applied in this study to examine the extent to which multi-purpose urban green spaces that aid in animal keeping, have diverse vegetation and have physiotherapeutic benefits are designed and operationalized. Our measure of 10 urban parks was through the use of biodiversity indices, motion-sensor wildlife tracking and walking trials on the participants. Body physiology variables as heart rate variability and WHO-5 well-being scales were measured during these trials. The findings indicated that locations with higher species of plants (Shannon Index > 2.5) recorded higher species diversity and significant improvement in health condition, including a reduction of 15% systolic pressure and increasing felt well-being by 20 percent. Canopy density and native flora were also associated with the existence of wildlife, which demonstrates the significance of organised planting in the environment of the urban architecture. The qualitative data provided by 25 expert interviews allowed us to see that everybody supported the necessity of multidisciplinary frameworks linking ecological planning to landscape design of therapeutic gardens. In measuring the quality of each site, we came up with a compound performance index, which depends on the botanical, ecological and medicinal qualities. The findings indicate the significance of adding dual purpose activity in city green planning. It is an eco-friendly urban design paradigm or people health. This way does not only contribute to biodiversity protection and can make cities more resilient to climate change but also provides accessible (confined to a city) and non-medicine-based approaches to mental and physical urban healing.
Copyright (c) 2023 Muhammad Asad, Muhammad Umair (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SYNTHETIC BOTANY AND CRISPR IN CROP YIELD ENHANCEMENT
Through this, this paper investigates how CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and synthetic botany can be applied to achieve certain genetic modifications that would help increase agricultural production. With the help of an experimental framework that utilizes mixed methods, the identification and targeting of features (that are relevant to yield) was done through genome editing including; chlorophyll content, leaf area, the efficiency of photosynthesis, and efficiency of nitrogen utilization. CRISPR is the change of genes mediated by Agrobacterium we performed transformation. In a second trial, we tried the improved lines under both controlled greenhouse and field experiments at numerous points. The outcomes indicated that there was an ample improvement in the physiological and biochemical attributes. CRISPR lines When grown under the most favorable conditions, their yield was 18-25 percent higher than those of controls and were also more tolerant of drought. The nutrient absorption, particularly absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus were optimized as well and this contributed to the growth of the biomass. Statistical analysis indicated that the correlation between targeted trait expression and yield were strong and positive thus justifying the selection of genetic targets to be used as predictive variables. The findings indicate that synthetic botany/genome editing can complement each other in the creation of ideal crop varieties that can grow more food and also increase resistance to stress blessed by the environment. This paper provides us with a model that could potentially be applied at scale in order to employ genetic innovations to tackle issues related to food security in a world characterised by a changing climate.
Copyright (c) 2023 Naveed Hussain, Zahid Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MICROBIAL ECOLOGY AND GENOMICS IN BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING
Microbial communities are key drivers of biogeochemical cycling since they affect the transformation and movements of such essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. The role of microbes in a range of ecosystem of study ranged with wetlands, forest soils, marine sediments, and permafrost terrains were explored in research studies with view of a mixed- methods experimental strategy that incorporated metagenomics, isotopic labeling, as well as environmental chemistry in the study. A total of nine datasets were generated and these contained distinct functional and geographical signatures of microbial activity. Though the highest production of methane was observed in marine and wetland samples, revealing the existence of active methanogenic niches, the rates of nitrate reduction differed distinctly according to the environments studied, with the highest rates observed in forest soils and estuary-based sampling sites. The number of active genes such as dsrA and mcrA was positively related to the sulfate respiration that had a moderate consistency among samples. Isotopic analyses that involved the use of ^13C and ^15N tracers allowed accurate quantification of rates as they helped in validation of active elemental conversions. Log10-transformed abundance data on functional genes were normalized with respect to process rates that were measured, and they revealed that the abundance was significantly correlated with those measured processes and that it was a strong predictor of metabolic potentials. Visual analysis including hybrid plots or multidimensional scatter projections depicts that coupled or decoupled elemental pathways mediated by microbial guilds depend on the type of the ecosystem and environmental aspects. The reproducibility of such patterns was found in terms of temporal replication, which further confirmed the reliability of this methodology. Importantly, the microbial responses to anthropogenic stress varied, which indicates that nutrient loading and land use altered the structure and the functionality of communities. The paper reaches a conclusion that along with biogeochemical observations, microbial genomics provides a solid premise to understand as well as model the active participation of microorganisms in the saga of global nutrient cycles. This integrative approach can be very helpful in monitoring the microbial resources, in controlling the ecosystems, and in climate modeling.
Copyright (c) 2023 Muhammad Asadullah Usman, Zia Ur Rehman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NEUROETHOLOGY AND VETERINARY BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
The study examines the intersection between neuroethology and veterinary sciences of behaviour with focus on the neurological, ecological and evolutionary processes which influence behaviour of animals and their implication on clinical practise. It examined the influence of sensory stimuli, internal processing by the brain and stresses in the environment on both learnt and born behaviours. It achieved this in the form of a mixed methodology which encompassed both ethological observations in a field setting and behaviour quantification and neurophysiological data evaluation. It was found that the expression of behaviour was influenced by the species-specific circuitry of the brain, enriched environments and past experiences. All these alterations are quantifiable in terms of the effects on the stress tolerance, social cohesiveness, and adaptation. Analysis of statistics revealed that the association was very strong between the pattern of brain activation and behaviour outcomes, which would promote the belief that neurobiological markers can be used in predicting behavioural abnormalities. The findings are applicable in veterinary medicine to enhance behavioural diagnosis accuracy, assist in intervention plans, which are personalised, and enhance a better environmental design to promote animal wellbeing. The integration of neuroethological models into therapeutic practices was also proven to enhance the wellbeing of the patient, reduce stress-related diseases and strengthen the relationship between individuals and disease-carrying animals. This work demonstrates the great significance and necessity of integrating basic neuroscience with practical application of veterinary practice. This would be a step towards evidence-based, ethically acceptable animal care that would conform to both scientific rigour and welfare aims.
Copyright (c) 2023 Muhammad Anwar Baloch, Saeed Ullah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND CHEMICAL ECOLOGY IN POLLINATION NETWORKS
The physiological attributes and chemical communication of insects and foraging behaviour interact intricately to determine pollination networks on order to determine the role of insect physiology and chemical ecology on network dynamics, we here use a combination of field observations, physiological measurements, chemical profiling and network analysis. the most frequent flies of flowers were achieved by dominating bumblebee species, as the visitation rates were evaluated to exhibit noticeable interspecific differences. The significance of contemporaneous thoracic temperature and metabolic rate highlighted species-specific thermo-regulatory activities in physiological assessment controls. Chemical ecology assessments indicate that floral volatile emission varied very much across the plant species with some chemicals in large quantities that are likely to attract pollinators. Also, insect cuticular hydrocarbon profile patterns with species specificign were thought to play roles in foraging fidelity, and even individual identification. Network research identified a small number of very well connected plant species in the modular, layered networks built up through plant-pollinator interaction. Big bodied bees were demonstrated as the most effective pollen carriers in terms of statistics of pollination efficiency. The foreseeing value of adding in the physiological and chemical variables into models of networks were confirmed by the more than 95 percent exactness of machine-learning groupings of pollinator statuses. Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service management are potential applications, and the capitalisation of the fields of chemical ecology and insect physiology into investigations on the role of pollination networks is highlighted by the piece of work.
Copyright (c) 2023 Nimra Samad, Ayesha Irum (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THERIOGENOLOGY AND CRYOBIOLOGY IN ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY
This paper will examine how theriogenology and cryobiology can assist in the reproduction of endangered species and their recovery. We employed a well-organized trial protocol whereby we began the study by genomic profiling and gathering gametes and compared two different cryopreservation modes such as vitrification and slow-freezing. To ensure the viable survival of the cells after thawing we employed CASA and oocyte scoring. More stable gametes were provided by vitrification. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) or assisted reproductive technology (ART) processes including IVF, ICSI and AI were used to produce embryos and implanted in surrogate, species-compatible with the embryonic's gestational age. We monitored the growth and performance of the embryo and how they performed after pregnancy. Transformation to blastocyst was 78 percent and live birth 62 percent. The reintegration methods such as genetic testing and GPS track demonstrated that the animals were able to procreate and acclimatize when released. The best formula was using physiological and genetic measures that helped expertise to make determine predictions about gamete selection and outcomes of embryo viability. Responses indicate that cryo-assisted ART pipeline can assist endangered species with reproductive issues, and this can serve as a prototype of the conservation process that could be scaled-up.
Copyright (c) 2023 Hidayatullah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BOTANICAL AI FOR PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION
This paper explores the possibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in species plant identification and the implication to biodiversity protection. We trained and enhanced deep learning algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), to automatically and accurately distinguish plant species based on a huge collection of labelled images of plants. Its classification rates are on average more than 95 % climbing to near 100% making the system better than the traditional taxonomic methods of identification in speed and scalability. Species recognition was part of the model along with geospatial metadata; thus, spatial distribution could be mapped, and habitats could be described. The findings revealed that the approach could identify rare and endangered species which aided in facilitating strategies of conservation that would work best. It was demonstrated in field tests that AI predictions are robust even amid alterations in the environment, whether they are greenhouse controls to a broad variety of natural conditions. Moreover, integrating AI and mobile-based citizen science applications facilitated the involvement of more people in plant monitoring through the assistance of the latter which contributed to a higher amount of biodiversity data. The result of this study is that plant identification using AI is a game changer in conservation biology because it enables a quicker, more accurate, and more scalable measurement of biodiversity. This approach bridges the gap between technology and ecology to motivate us to take an active interest in conservation and therefore simplifying the task of sustaining plant diversity in the rapidly changing world.
Copyright (c) 2023 Hammad Ur Rehman, Abdul Waheed Shah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BIOENERGETICS AND AGING BIOLOGY: MITOCHONDRIA AS CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TARGETS
Reelin/restriction point is an indication of ageing and a significant factor of cellular ageing. This research is carried out utilizing both human and animal model of diverse ages on a mixed-method experimental design to examine mitochondrial bioenergetics. The crucial variables that were measured using high-resolution respirometry, fluorescence assays, qPCR, and enzymatic profiling, included ATP production, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and respiratory complex activity. The findings were that production of the ATP as well as the membrane potential decreased very much with age. Meanwhile, the production of ROS increased, and the mitochondrial complexes I and IV lost their enzymatic activity. The copy count of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the expression levels of bioenergetic genes (ND1, COX1, ATP5B) also showed a steady reduction in their expression levels with age. The models combining bioenergetic and molecular characteristics to train machine learning were able to predict age bracket (R 2 > 0.85), and SHAP analysis revealed that ROS and membrane potential were the most significant predictive characteristics. These results are displayed in the form of nine tables and twelve complex visualizations. The use of expert interviews supports them because they reveal that they can be applied in different situations. This Simon study indicates the extent to which brown mitochondaguher is deficient, and how mitochondria at once are integrable targets-Parkes of intervention therapeutic to## biological age guessing.
Copyright (c) 2023 Zia Ur Rehman, Mashal Shahzadi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0