Agriculture still employs large shares of the workforce in many BRICS and BRICS-aligned economies, yet output per worker remains uneven across countries. This paper examines the drivers of farm labor productivity in ten BRICS+ members, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, using a balanced panel for 2001-2021. Drawing on data from the World Development Indicators, FAOSTAT, and UNDP, we estimate country fixed-effects models of agricultural value added per worker on lagged human development (HDI or schooling), arable land per worker, fertilizer use per hectare, national income (GNI per capita), and a time trend. The results show that higher HDI and greater land availability per agricultural worker are robustly associated with substantial productivity gains, whereas fertilizer intensity has no stable independent effect, and the influence of income largely operates through human development. A strong positive time trend suggests additional technological and institutional progress. Policy priorities should therefore combine investments in human development, land and tenure reforms, and innovation systems to foster inclusive productivity growth in BRICS+ agrifood systems.

The Inaouene basin is considered among the basins most subject to rainfall variability, marked by sometimes exceptional dry periods (as low as 252.2 mm) and rainy periods (up to 1129 mm), as recorded at the Taza station, due to the variability of atmospheric factors that control atmospheric circulation, in particular the North Atlantic Oscillation.This study therefore aims to know the impact of this oscillation on the variability of rainfall by calculating the standardized precipitation index and the correlation coefficient. The study revealed that the dominance of the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation since the end of the seventies had a major role in the absence of moist air masses towards Morocco, which caused the stability of climatic conditions of drought in the study area, with the presence of some extreme rainfall events, in which the evidence of the North Atlantic Oscillation is weak.

Ammonia production is a cornerstone of the global chemical industry and plays a critical role in ensuring global food security; however, it is also associated with significant greenhouse gas emissions due to its strong reliance on fossil based hydrogen [1, 12, 19]. This review examines ammonia production processes in light of the evolving pathways of hydrogen production. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of conventional and emerging hydrogen technologies, including gray, blue, and green hydrogen, and assesses their implications for ammonia synthesis. Particular attention is given to the environmental performance, technological maturity, and economic constraints associated with each pathway. The review highlights that while gray hydrogen remains dominant, its carbon footprint poses major sustainability challenges. Blue hydrogen may offer a transitional solution through carbon capture technologies, although uncertainties persist regarding its long term viability. Green hydrogen represents a key pathway for decarbonizing ammonia production, although high costs and infrastructure limitations currently hinder its large scale deployment. [7, 10, 12, 16]. This work discusses the potential and challenges of low carbon hydrogen pathways in supporting the sustainable transformation of ammonia production.

Amphibious aircraft are seaplanes fitted with dual floats attached to the fuselage, allowing for landing and take-offs on aquatic surfaces. This research presents a method for evaluating the structural integrity of amphibious aircraft subjected to stochastic wave load stimulation through a probabilistic framework. The wave loads on the aircraft are assessed using the panel approach in a time domain simulation with ANSYS AQWA. Aircraft operations are simulated under three wave height: 0.5 m, 1.0 m, and 1.5 m, with three variations in relative wave direction: 90̊, 180̊, and 0̊, within a wave frequency range of up to 2 rad/s. The simulation of the floater model attempts to predict the vertical bending moment experienced by the structure; this value is subsequently utilized as input in static load modelling through the finite element method to determine the maximum stress value. A probabilistic approach was employed to account for the stochastic characteristics of wave loads, with all potential loads represented as a probability density function (PDF). Moreover, the structural reliability evaluation, which ascertains the likelihood of structural failure, was estimated by combining the load PDF with the strength PDF, derived from CEVL material testing. The evaluation results indicate that the probability of structural failure is -0.34, -0.23 and -0.029 for wave heights of 0.5 m, 1.0 m, and 1,5 m, respectively. The reliability of the floater structure might be enhanced by diminishing the stress induced by wave loads by reinforcement of floater’s longitudinal structure and/or the fortification of the CEVL material.

Physical activity is increasingly recognised as a practical, low-cost strategy to protect and improve mental health. This scoping review maps and summarises recent evidence linking physical activity (including structured exercise and everyday movement) with mental health and mental ill-health outcomes across populations. We synthesised findings from high-level evidence (umbrella reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses) alongside selected primary studies, including work by Hasmyati (Faculty of Sports Science and Health, Universitas Negeri Makassar) describing psychosocial and cognitive outcomes relevant to mental health (e.g., self-efficacy, concentration, and mental toughness). Across the evidence base, higher physical activity is consistently associated with lower risk of depression and anxiety, and exercise interventions show meaningful reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Benefits appear across age groups and clinical and non-clinical populations, although effects vary by activity type, intensity, and context (e.g., leisure-time versus occupational activity). Proposed mechanisms include neurobiological (neurotransmitters and inflammation), psychological (mastery, self-efficacy), and social (connection and support) pathways. Evidence gaps remain regarding low- and middle-income settings, long-term adherence, domain-specific measurement, and intervention tailoring. Overall, the literature supports positioning physical activity as a core component of mental health promotion and as an adjunct treatment option within stepped-care models.

This study examines climatic drought and the sustainability of karst springs in the Dir of Beni Mellal Atlas in Morocco, based on an analysis of precipitation, spring flows and hydrological breaks. Rainfall series were evaluated using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI-12), while multi-year variations in flow rates were analysed using baseflow and the CUSUM test. The results reveal high hydroclimatic variability marked by alternating dry and wet years, with a clear trend towards more frequent and intense dry spells since the 2000s. The CUSUM analysis shows a persistent cumulative deficit, reflecting progressive aridification and a decline in the resilience of karst systems. Karst springs show different responses depending on their location and hydrogeological structure, highlighting the importance of local characteristics in flow dynamics. This study highlights the complementarity of the SPI-12 and CUSUM indicators in assessing both the intensity of droughts and their accumulation, providing essential tools for the sustainable management of water resources in semi-arid areas of Morocco.

The utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) residues as a feedstock for nanocompost represents an innovative approach to enhance soil fertility and promote sustainable nutrient management in oil palm cultivation. This study evaluated the growth responses of oil palm seedlings grown in Inceptisol to different types of EFB-derived nanocompost (EFB only, EFB + solid decanter, and EFB + cow dung) combined with various fertilization regimes (control, 100% NPK, 100% nanocompost, 50% nanocompost + 50% NPK, and 75% nanocompost + 25% NPK). The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized block design under main nursery conditions. Growth parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, number of leaf sheaths, leaf area, root length, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, were measured. Results showed that EFB-derived nanocompost significantly improved seedling growth compared to the control, and the integrated application of nanocompost and NPK outperformed single applications of either nanocompost or NPK. Among the treatments, the nanocompost EFB, which only contained 50% NPK, produced the highest fresh and dry biomass, as well as balanced shoot and root development, and enhanced nutrient availability due to the synergistic effects between organic and inorganic sources.

This paper presents the development and application of a dynamic mathematical simulation model of a solar domestic hot water (DHW) production system designed for a 4-star hotel located in Fez, Morocco. The hotel consists of 60 rooms and accommodates approximately 120 guests, resulting in a high and continuous demand for hot water. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the energetic performance of the solar thermal system and to assess its capability to meet daily and annual DHW requirements under local climatic conditions. The investigated system includes a flat-plate solar collector field, two hot water storage tanks, an external heat exchanger, and an auxiliary heating unit to ensure service continuity during periods of low solar availability. The proposed model enables fully dynamic simulation of system operation, taking into account local meteorological data, collector orientation and tilt angle, thermal characteristics of system components, and realistic DHW consumption profiles representative of a 4-star hotel. Simulation results obtained for a typical meteorological year show that the solar system supplies, on average, approximately 58% of the annual DHW demand, with solar coverage reaching 70–75% during summer months. In addition, an average reduction of nearly 48% in auxiliary energy consumption is achieved, with peak reductions reaching up to 60% during summer months, together with a significant improvement in overall system efficiency and satisfactory thermal stability of the storage tanks, despite demand peaks associated with hotel occupancy. The originality of this work lies in the adaptation of the developed dynamic model to a high-demand 4-star hotel application in Fez, representative of the Moroccan tourism sector, and in the detailed assessment of the impact of local climatic conditions on solar thermal system performance. The proposed approach is intended to serve as a decision-support tool for the design and optimization of solar thermal installations in mediumand large-scale hotel buildings.

Sacred natural elements in traditional societies often function as effective informal conservation mechanisms. This study explores the Dewandaru tree (Eugenia uniflora L.) at Gunung Kawi, East Java, as a biocultural entity that integrates ecological functions, spiritual meanings, and community-based conservation practices. The research applies a qualitative case study approach with ethnographic elements, using a socio-ecological and biocultural framework. Data were collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and ecological field observations involving caretakers, community leaders, residents, and visitors from different cultural backgrounds. The findings indicate that the Dewandaru tree contributes significantly to environmental balance by supporting biodiversity, regulating the microclimate, and preventing soil erosion. Beyond its ecological role, the tree holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for both Javanese and Chinese communities, which shapes collective ethics and customary rules that prohibit cutting, harvesting, or commercial exploitation. These symbolic protections have functioned as an effective form of community-based conservation for generations. However, increasing tourism activities, cultural commodification, and generational change have begun to challenge the sustainability of this informal system. The growing demand for symbolic souvenirs and the weakening transmission of spiritual values reduce the effectiveness of sacred-based protection. This study concludes that conservation grounded in local spirituality remains valuable but vulnerable, and therefore needs to be strengthened through integrative strategies that combine sacred values with formal governance, intergenerational education, and sustainable tourism management to ensure long-term ecological and cultural sustainability.