The wheat plant requires elevated phosphorus levels for its normal growth and yield, but continuously depleting non-renewable phosphorus reserves in the soil is one of the biggest challenges in agricultural production worldwide. The Phosphorus Starvation Tolerance 1 (PSTOL1) gene has been reported to play a key role in efficient P uptake, deeper rooting, and high yield in rice. However, the function of the PSTOL1 gene in wheat is still unclear. In this study, a total of 22 PSTOL1 orthologs were identified in the wheat genome, and found that wheat PSTOL1 orthologs are unevenly distributed on chromosomes, and these genes were under strong purifying selection. Under different phosphorus regimes, wheat PSTOL1 genes showed differential expression patterns in different tissues. These results strengthen the classification of Pakistan-13 as a P-efficient cultivar and Shafaq-06 as a P-inefficient cultivar. Phenotypic characterization demonstrated that Pakistan-13 wheat cultivar has significantly increased P uptake, root length, root volume, and root surface area compared to Shafaq-06. Some wheat PSTOL1 orthologs are co-localized with phosphorus starvation’s related quantitative trait loci (QTLs), suggesting their potential role in phosphorus use efficiency. Altogether, these results highlight the role of the wheat PSTOL1 genes in wheat P uptake, root architecture, and efficient plant growth. This comprehensive study will be helpful for devising sustainable strategies for wheat crop production and adaptation to phosphorus insufficiency.
With the global energy crisis, increasing demand, and a national-level emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs), numerous innovations are being witnessed throughout the EV industry. EVs are equipped with sensors that maintain a sustainable environment for the betterment of society and enhance human sustainability. However, at the same time, as is the case for any new digital technology, they are susceptible to threats to security and privacy. Recent incidents demonstrate that these sensors have been misused for car and energy theft, financial fraud, data compromise, and have caused severe health and safety problems, amongst other things. To the best of our knowledge, this paper provides a first systematic analysis of EV sustainability, digital technologies that enhance sustainability, their potential cybersecurity threats, and corresponding defense. Firstly, three robust taxonomies have been presented to identify the dangers that can affect long-term sustainability domains, including (1) life and well-being, (2) safe environment, and (3) innovation and development. Second, this research measures the impact of cybersecurity threats on EVs and correspondingly to their sustainability goals. Third, it details the extent to which specific security controls can mitigate these threats, thereby allowing for a smooth transition toward secure and sustainable future smart cities.
There is an exponential rise in the use of smartphones in government and private institutions due to business dependencies such as communication, virtual meetings, and access to global information. These smartphones are an attractive target for cybercriminals and are one of the leading causes of cyber espionage and sabotage. A large number of sophisticated malware attacks as well as advanced persistent threats (APTs) have been launched on smartphone users. These attacks are becoming significantly more complex, sophisticated, persistent, and undetected for extended periods. Traditionally, devices are targeted by exploiting a vulnerability in the operating system (OS) or device sensors. Nevertheless, there is a rise in APTs, side-channel attacks, sensor-based attacks, and attacks launched through the Google Play Store. Previous research contributions have lacked contemporary threats, and some have proven ineffective against the latest variants of the mobile operating system. In this paper, we conducted an extensive survey of papers over the last 15 years (2009–2023), covering vulnerabilities, contemporary threats, and corresponding defenses. The research highlights APTs, classifies malware variants, defines how sensors are exploited, visualizes multiple ways that side-channel attacks are launched, and provides a comprehensive list of malware families that spread through the Google Play Store. In addition, the research provides details on threat defense solutions, such as malware detection tools and techniques presented in the last decade. Finally, it highlights open issues and identifies the research gap that needs to be addressed to meet the challenges of next-generation smartphones.
Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are recognised as micronutrients of clinical significance to public health globally. Major staple crops (wheat, rice and maize) contain insufficient levels of these micronutrients. Baseline concentrations in wheat and maize grains are 30 µg/g for Fe and 25 µg/g for Zn, and in rice grains, 2 µg/g for Fe and 16 µg/g for Zn. However, wheat grains should contain 59 μg Fe/g and 38 μg Zn/g if they are to meet 30–40% of the average requirement of an adult diet. Scientists are addressing malnutrition problems by trying to enhance Fe and Zn accumulation in grains through conventional and next-generation techniques. This article explores the applicability and efficiency of novel genome editing tools compared with conventional breeding for Fe and Zn biofortification and for improving the bioavailability of cereal grains. Some wheat varieties with large increases in Zn concentration have been developed through conventional breeding (e.g. BHU1, BHU-6 and Zincol-2016, with 35–42 µg Zn/g); however, there has been little such success with Fe concentration. Similarly, no rice variety has been developed through conventional breeding with the required grain Fe concentration of 14.5 µg/g. Transgenic approaches have played a significant role for Fe and Zn improvement in cereal crops but have the limitations of low acceptance and strict regulatory processes. Precise editing by CRISPR-Cas9 will help to enhance the Fe and Zn content in cereals without any linkage drag and biosafety issues. We conclude that there is an urgent need to biofortify cereal crops with Fe and Zn by using efficient next-generation approaches such as CRISPR/Cas9 so that the malnutrition problem, especially in developing countries, can be addressed.
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