Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that drastically hinders plant growth and development, resulting in lower crop yields and productivity. As one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide, tomato (Solanum lycropersicum L.) plays a key role in the human diet. The current study aimed to explore the differential tolerance level of two tomato varieties (Rio Grande and Agata) to salt stress. To this end, various growth, physiological and biochemical attributes were assessed after two weeks of 100 mM NaCl treatment. Obtained findings indicated that, although the effects of salt stress included noticeable reductions in shoots’ and roots’ dry weights and relative growth rate as well as total leaf area, for the both cultivars, Rio Grande performed better compared to Agata variety. Furthermore, despite the exposure to salt stress, Rio Grande was able to maintain an adequate tissue hydration and a high leaf mass per area (LMA) through the accumulation of proline. However, relative water content, LMA and proline content were noticeably decreased for Agata cultivar. Likewise, total leaf chlorophyll, soluble proteins and total carbohydrates were significantly decreased; whereas, malondialdehyde was significantly accumulated in response to salt stress for the both cultivars. Moreover, such negative effects were remarkably more pronounced for Agata relative to Rio Grande cultivar. Overall, the current study provided evidence that, at the early growth stage, Rio Grande is more tolerant to salt stress than Agata variety. Therefore, Rio Grande variety may constitute a good candidate for inclusion in tomato breeding programs for salt-tolerance and is highly recommended for tomato growers, particularly in salt-affected fields.

E-learning has become an integral part of higher education, significantly influencing the teaching and learning landscape. This study investigates the impact of student characteristics such as gender, grade, and major on E-learning satisfaction. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and collecting data through 527 valid questionnaires from Nanjing Normal University students, this research reveals the nuanced relationships between these variables and E-learning satisfaction. The findings indicate that gender, grade, and major significantly and positively impact student satisfaction with E-learning, highlighting the need for tailored E-learning resources to meet diverse student needs. The study underscores the importance of continuous improvement in E-learning resources and platforms to enhance student satisfaction. This research contributes to the understanding of effective E-learning strategies in higher education institutions.

This study investigates the optimization of ride-sharing services (RSS) on the ride-hailing service (RHS) providers in Bangladesh. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design- a qualitative study followed by a quantitative one. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with twenty (20) riders and drivers in Bangladesh, and quantitative data were collected from 300 respondents consisting of riders and drivers using a convenience sampling technique. Factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to the data analysis. The qualitative analysis reveals several significant factors associated with RSS and RHS, including cost efficiency, fare, fuel consumption, traffic congestion, carbon emissions, environmental pollution, employment opportunities, business growth, and security. The quantitative results indicate that using RSS is associated with more significant benefits than RHS in various aspects, including cost efficiency, fare, fuel consumption, traffic congestion, carbon emissions, environmental pollution, employment opportunities, and expansion of the automobile industry. The findings may assist policymakers in understanding how RSS can yield more incredible economic, environmental, and social benefits than RHS by analyzing fare sharing among passengers, carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and the expansion of the vehicle markets etc. Therefore, the government can formulate distinct policies for RSS holders due to their contributions to economic, social, and environmental concerns. While RHS services are available in many cities in Bangladesh, this study considered only Dhaka and Sylhet cities. Thus, future studies can consider more respondents from other cities for a holistic understanding.

The financial services industry is experiencing a swift adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for a variety of applications. These technologies can be employed by both public and private sector entities to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, monitor activities, evaluate data accuracy, and identify instances of fraudulent behavior. The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has the potential to provide novel and unforeseen manifestations of interconnectivity within financial markets and institutions. This can be represented by the adoption of previously disparate data sources by diverse institutions. The researchers employed convenience sampling as the sampling method. The form was filled out over the period spanning from July 2023 to February 2024, and it was designed to be both anonymous and accessible through online and offline platforms. To assess the reliability and validity of the measurement scales and evaluate the structural model, we employed Partial Least Squares (PLS) for model validation. Specifically, we have used the software package Smart-PLS 3 with a bootstrapping of 5000 samples to estimate the significance of the parameters. The results indicate a positive and direct connection between artificial intelligence (AI) and either financial services or financial institutions. On the contrary, machine learning (ML) exhibits a strong and positive association among financial services and financial institutions. Similarly, there exists a positive and direct connection between AI and investors, as well as between ML and investors.

This study investigates the public’s perceptions of digital innovations in pharmacy, with a focus on health informatics and medication management. Despite the rapid development of these technologies, a comprehensive understanding of how various demographics perceive and interact with them is lacking hence, this research aims to bridge this gap by offering insights into public attitudes and the factors influencing the adoption of digital tools in pharmacy practice, as KSA population and healthcare professionals after Covid-19 has observed the significant potential of digital health. A cross-sectional survey involving 1132 participants was conducted, employing SPSS for data analysis to ensure precise and reliable results. The findings indicate general optimism about the potential of digital innovations to enhance healthcare outcomes but concerns about data privacy and usability significantly affect user acceptance. The researchers recommended tailored educational programs and user-centered design to facilitate the adoption of digital pharmacy innovations. Key contributions include the identification of ‘Ease of Use’ and ‘Data Security and Privacy’ as predominant factors in the adoption of digital health tools.

This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.