In this investigation the effect of collection seasons of explants (winter, spring and summer), type of explants (leaf disc and intermodal segments) and length of explants (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm) for callusing in low-chill peach were standardized. The maximum callus induction (97.78%) in the low-chill peach was obtained from the intermodal segments of 0.5 cm in length used as an explant collected during spring season. The structural changes on the surface of the callus (5–7 weeks old yellowish green compact callus) during the progress of somatic embryogenesis of low-chill peach from the both intermodal segment as well as leaf disc derived callus were also examined with the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM studies indicated that callus derived from internodal segment explant had the highest frequency of somatic embryos than callus from leaf discs. The SEM investigation, also demonstrated the sequential events/steps leading to low-chill peach somatic embryogenesis which was originating from somatic embryo mother cells through one unicellular pathway. Two types of calli were morphologically distinguished in both leaf disc and intermodal segment generated callus and these were the compact, well organized yellowish green embryogenic callus, containing large number of small, rich cytoplasmic, starch containing meristematic cells and soft and unorganized non-embryogenic callus containing sparsely cytoplasmic, vacuolated, and large cells devoid of metabolic reserves. The present SEM studies clearly demonstrated that somatic cells from peach explants generated callus could develop into fully differentiated somatic embryos through the characteristic embryological patterns of differentiation.

Herein, we report a facile preparation of super-hydrophilic sand by coating the sand particles with cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels for enhanced water absorption and controlled water release aimed at desert agriculture. To prepare the sample, 4 wt% of aqueous PAM solution is mixed with organic cross-linkers of hydroquinone (HQ) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) in a 1:1 weight ratio and aqueous potassium chloride (KCl) solution. A specific amount of the above solution is added to the sand, well mixed, and subsequently cured at 150 °C for 8 h. The prepared super-hydrophilic sands were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for chemical composition and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for successful polymer coating onto the sand. The water storage for the samples was studied by absorption kinetics at various temperature conditions, and extended water release was studied by water desorption kinetics. The water swelling ratio for the super-hydrophilic sand has reached a maximum of 900% (9 times its weight) at 80 °C within 1 h. The desorption kinetics of the samples showed that the water can be stored for up to a maximum of 3 days. Therefore, super-hydrophilic sand particles were successfully prepared by coating them with PAM hydrogels, which have great potential to be used in sustainable desert agriculture.

The present study aimed to determine the dynamic relationship between good governance, fiscal policy, and economic growth in Oman. In the context of the current study, researchers chose a quantitative approach to answer the research questions, utilizing the latest 2023 data from the World Bank and The Global Economy databases. The data for the current study was carefully selected using variables that represent aspects of governance, fiscal policies, and economic performance. Our analysis uses Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model. These methods help us understand these factors’ immediate and long-term impacts on Oman’s economy. The results we obtained offer fascinating insights into the country’s economic dynamics. We observe bidirectional causal relationships between the Good Governance Index (GGI) and the Regulatory Quality Index (RQI) and economic growth, while Fiscal Policy Effectiveness (FPE), Government Efficiency Index (GEI), and the Rule of Law Index (RLI) exhibit unidirectional causality towards GDP. Budget Balance (BB) shows no causal relationship with GDP, implying external factors influence it. Additionally, moderation analysis underscores the significance of digital financial inclusion in amplifying the effects of governance and fiscal policies on economic growth. These findings hold practical implications for policymakers and stakeholders in Oman. Specifically, they highlight the importance of governance, regulatory quality, and effective fiscal policies in shaping the economic landscape. To foster sustainable economic development, efforts should improve governance, enhance fiscal policy effectiveness, and promote digital financial inclusion.

The purpose of the article is to present the results of analysis of newly industrialized countries in the context of sustainable development. The study took place within the framework of the Kaldor’s structural-economic model of the gross domestic product and the energy flow model, using the socio-economic systems power changes analyzing method. Within the context of the approach, an invariant coordinate system in energy units is considered, the necessary conditions for sustainable development are formulated, and the main parameters for assessing the potential for growth and development are determined. The article focuses on key issues regarding new concepts of sustainable development and methodology for assessing sustainable development using the concept of socioeconomics useful power for the countries of the newly industrialized economy a group of emerging countries that have made in short time period a qualitative transition in socio-economic development. Based on a new definition of sustainable development in energy units, development trends are formulated for the selected countries during 20 years for the period 2000–2019. Results of the study can be used to planning for the transition to sustainable development. The data of the Central Statistical Office of European Union, the World Bank and the United Nations Organization were used for calculations. Initial interpretation of the calculated data has been done for the largest newly industrialized countries Brazil, India and China in terms of the gross domestic product in the period 1990–2019. For comparison, data on USA are presented as countries with advanced economy.

Intellectual capital is one of the most crucial determinants of long-term economic development. The countries compete for highly skilled labor and talented youth. State regulatory interventions aim to, on the one hand, facilitate the retention of foreign high-productivity intellectual capital in the host country, transforming ‘educational’ and ‘scientific’ migrants into residents, and on the other hand, prevent the outflow of their own qualified workforce. The paper aims to outline the role of the nation’s higher education system in the influx and outflow of labor resources. A two-stage approach is applied: 1) maximum likelihood—to cluster the EU countries and the potential candidates to become members of EU countries based on the integrated competitiveness of their higher education systems, considering quantitative, qualitative, and internationalization aspects; 2) logit and probit models—to estimate the likelihood of net migration flow surpassing baseline cluster levels and the probability of migration intensity changes for each cluster. Empirical findings allow the identification of four country clusters. Forecasts indicate the highest likelihood of increased net migration flow in the second cluster (66.7%) and a significant likelihood in the third cluster (23.4%). However, the likelihood of such an increase is statistically insignificant for countries in the first and fourth clusters. The conclusions emphasize the need for regulatory interventions that enhance higher education quality, ensure equal access for migrants, foster population literacy, and facilitate lifelong learning. Such measures are imperative to safeguard the nation’s intellectual potential and deter labor emigration.