A Review of Recent Advances in Laser-Based Medical Imaging Techniques

This review explores the recent advancements in laser-based medical imaging techniques, highlighting their significant contributions to modern diagnostic practices. Laser technologies, including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and femtosecond lasers, have revolutionized non-invasive medical imaging by offering high-resolution and precise visualization of biological structures and processes. These techniques not only enhance early disease detection, particularly cancers, but also support real-time guidance during surgeries, improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has further optimized diagnostic accuracy and analysis efficiency. Despite these advancements, challenges such as high equipment costs, the need for specialized training, and a lack of standardized protocols still hinder widespread adoption in clinical settings. This review discusses the ongoing innovations in laser-based imaging, the ethical considerations surrounding AI integration, and the potential for future developments, emphasizing the importance of continued research to maximize the benefits of these technologies for patient care

Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Russian Knapweed on Cutaneous Wound Healing Process in Rabbits

Several drugs and natural products are used to treat wounds. However, ranchers in Afghanistan do not have enough access to Veterinary services (medicine). On the other hand, medicine is expensive. In this case, the best option is homemade drugs made from medicinal plants. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the Aqueous and Alcoholic extracts of Russian Knapweed on the cutaneous wound-healing process in rabbits. Twenty-five local rabbits were used in this experiment and were randomly divided into five groups: control, 5% aqueous extract, 10% Aqueous extract, 5% alcoholic extract, and 10% Alcoholic extract. At first, all rabbits were clinically examined. The wound area was surgically prepared, and after induction of local anesthesia, a 15mm x 15mm incision was made on the back part of all rabbits. The Russian Knapweed extracts were made using the maceration method. After the wounds were created, the ointments were applied twice a day. Measurement of the wound area was done using a ruler on days 1st, 4th, seventh, 10th, 13th, and 16th of wound creation. 5% Aqueous and Alcoholic Russian Knapweed had a significantly (p<0.05) greater effect on wound healing on days 4, 7, and 16 compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the 10% Aqueous group results were also significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group on days 7 and 16. The results of this experiment suggest that Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Russian Knapweed have healing effects on the cutaneous wound-healing process in rabbits.

Effect of Farm Yard Manure on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of farmyard manure on the growth, yield, and quality of tomatoes at the agriculture research farm of Kabul University during the spring and summer seasons of 2024. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables measured included growth parameters, such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, and leaf area per plant, as well as yield parameters, including marketable yield, non-marketable yield, and total yield. Additionally, quality parameters were assessed, including shelf life and organoleptic characteristics. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using STAR software version 2.0.1. Results indicated that farmyard manures used in the study had a positive influence on the growth, yield, and quality of tomatoes. The highest plant growth, yield, and best quality fruits were recorded under the treatment containing the highest sheep manure (35 t/ha); it was on par with the treatments containing 20, 25, and 30 t/ha sheep manure. Thus, it is recommended for tomato crop growers to apply at least 20 t/ha of sheep manure for optimal growth and yield

The COVID-19 lockdown impact on air quality: A Case Study of Two Districts in Kabul City, Afghanistan

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly worldwide, causing millions of deaths. To curb transmission, many countries imposed lockdowns, leading to a noticeable improvement in air quality. During the peak of the pandemic, Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital and one of the world’s most polluted cities, enforced a three-month lockdown. This study evaluates the impact of the lockdown on Kabul’s air quality by analyzing variations in pollutant concentrations (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃) across two districts before and during the lockdown. Air quality data from the National Environmental Protection Agency was evaluated using a paired-samples t-test. The results revealed a significant decline in pollution levels. Pre-lockdown, Kabul’s air quality was severely degraded, with PM₂.₅ (334–362 µg/m³) and PM₁₀ (491–518 µg/m³) exceeding standards by 4.5× and 3×, respectively, while NO₂ peaked at 565 µg/m³ (7× the limit). During Lockdown, concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ dropped, nearing permissible levels. This suggests that reduced human activities lead to cleaner air. These findings highlight the benefits of strategic emission controls, offering policymakers actionable insights for improving Kabul’s air quality

Optimizing Waste Transfer Station Siting in Kabul Using GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Efficient siting of waste transfer stations is vital for reducing operational costs, improving recycling outcomes, and minimizing environmental impacts in rapidly urbanizing cities like Kabul. Despite the Kabul Urban Design Framework (KUDF, 2018) identifying nine proposed locations for transfer stations, not a single facility has been implemented, largely due to financial limitations and uncertainty over the technical suitability of those sites which resulted in delays in implementation of transfer stations and inefficient sorting and hauling of waste to the Gazak 2 landfill limiting recycling efforts and landfill diversion due to mixed and contaminated waste. This study applies a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework, incorporating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC), to identify spatially optimal locations for waste transfer stations in Kabul. Four criteria—proximity to main roads, residential areas, water bodies, and terrain slope—were evaluated and weighted using expert input. Results show that only 18.16% of Kabul’s land is highly suitable for transfer station siting, with buildings and roads being the most influential factors. When overlaid with the KUDF-proposed sites, six of nine were found to be located within suitable or highly suitable zones. The remaining sites require further reassessment due to proximity to sensitive areas or infrastructural constraints. The findings highlight the critical role of spatial decision support in addressing implementation delays and improving solid waste logistics. This study provides a replicable framework and practical guidance for Kabul Municipality and other cities facing similar challenges in optimizing waste management infrastructure

Effect of Different Mulching Material on Growth Attributes and Yield Performance of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a high-value vegetable crop widely cultivated for its nutritional and economic importance. However, in semi-arid regions like Kandahar, Afghanistan, water scarcity, high temperature, and soil degradation often limit its productivity. This research was conducted to evaluate the impact of different mulching materials (black plastic, white plastic, and grass) on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper under Kandahar’s agro-climatic conditions. The study was carried out during the 1403 growing season (2024) at the research farm of the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications. Results indicated that black plastic mulch significantly outperformed other treatments in terms of plant height, number of branches, fruit diameter, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and total yield. The highest yield (30.88 tons/ha) was recorded under black plastic mulch, followed by white plastic mulch (25.53 tons/ha) and grass (23.33 tons/ha), while the control recorded the lowest yield (19.13 tons/ha). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among treatments for most parameters. These findings suggest that mulching, particularly with black plastic, is a viable and effective agronomic practice for improving sweet pepper production in arid environments. Adoption of such mulching techniques can enhance soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and ultimately increase crop productivity. This research provides evidence-based recommendations for farmers and agricultural stakeholders aiming to optimize sweet pepper yield under challenging climatic conditions

Opportunities and Challenges to Afghanistan's Self-sufficiency in Livestock Production Sector

Afghanistan is an agricultural country where livestock is the main source of income for most of the people. Although hundreds of thousands of metric tons of livestock products are produced, large amounts of animal products are still imported to the country. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the opportunities and challenges confronting Afghanistan's self-sufficiency in livestock products. The data were collected from 48 key professionals by semi-structured interviews using a pre-designed questionnaire. More than 52% of the respondents hold bachelor's/DVM degrees, while the rest have master's (35.4%) and PhD (12.5%) degrees in veterinary (72.1%) and animal science (27.9%) fields. About 80% of the respondents believed that Afghanistan has sufficient capacity to become self-sufficient in the animal products sector. At the same time, only half of them thought that Afghanistan is moving on the right track towards self-sufficiency in animal production. Destruction of pastures (95.7% ), neighboring countries' interventions in the market (95.1%) and importation of low-quality animal products (89.4%), insufficient scientific research projects (84.8%) and funds (84.5%) in the animal health and production sector, lack of proper packaging (87.2%) and suitable domestic market (80%) for animal products, traditional husbandry system (83.3%), shortage of concentrated feeds (78.3%) and excessive paperwork for the investors (69.6%) are the main challenges in front of self-sufficiency in animal products. The results of this study could help policymakers prioritize the animal health and production sector and adjust existing policies regarding animal products to meet the country's needs and accepted standards

Impacts of Humic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Tomato: A Review

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most adaptable, popular, and widely consumed vegetable crops in the world. However, current production levels of tomatoes fall short of consumer needs. Enhancing soil fertility presents a viable solution to address the issue of low productivity in tomato cultivation. Humic acids (HA) are organic molecules that significantly improve soil characteristics, plant growth, yield, and quality. There was limited information available in previous studies regarding the issue; therefore, the review was conducted to investigate the issue in greater detail. The review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the topic and encourage further investigation to refine agricultural practices and enhance crop production. In the narrative literature, keywords related to the topic investigated in popular databases over the last three decades were screened for relevant papers, and the information was presented in different sections of the manuscript. The application of humic acid has positively influenced several parameters, including growth, development, yield, and quality of tomatoes. Humic acid increased the stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, and plant height. Additionally, humic acid topically improved fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit number per plant, and yield. Furthermore, skin color, lycopene content, fruit juice acidity, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids were all markedly improved by applying humic acid. The information synthesized here may benefit policymakers, agricultural advisors, and experts in the field, supporting the development of effective strategies for sustainable tomato production using humic acid

Petrographic Composition, Physico-Chemical Characteristics, And Mechanical Properties of The Renzikhel Marbles In Central Afghanistan

This article presents the geological and engineering geological characteristics of Ranzi Khel marbles.  The Ranzi Khel mine is located in Maidan Wardak province. Geologically, it lies within the Helmand tectonic zone. To achieve the objectives, several samples were collected from different sites of the marble areas and transported to laboratories in Kabul city. Several slides were prepared from representative samples to characterize the petrographic composition under a polarizing microscope. The preliminary chemical composition of marbles was determined through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The physical and mechanical characteristics of marbles were assessed using various physico-mechanical tests. The petrographical study indicates that calcite is the main mineral in the slides. The physico-mechanical tests show that the specific gravity is 2.7, the bulk density is 2.7, the water absorption is 0.02%, the marble's resistance to impact and pressure is 13.67%, the marble's resistance to abrasion is 26.13%, and the marble durability index is 97.39%. The findings indicate that the marble samples exhibit excellent resistance to uniaxial compression and point load, with a durability of 97.49%. The results show that Ranzi Khel marbles are considered quite satisfactory for various applications from a physico-mechanical perspective. The results of the XRF analysis indicate that calcium has the highest proportion among the elements. Besides calcium, Ranzi Khel marbles also contain magnesium, iron, silicon, and aluminum. The findings of this study may contribute to sustainable mining development in Afghanistan in various ways

Bacterial Contamination and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Isolates from Tanker-Distributed Drinking Water in Kabul, Afghanistan

Water quality is critical for public health, and access to safe drinking water is essential for preventing infectious diseases. In many areas of Kabul city, tanker-distributed water is an essential source, but its microbial quality remains uncertain. This cross-sectional study evaluated bacterial contamination and microbial resistance in tanker-distributed treated water in Kabul, comparing it to established standards. One hundred samples from 20 companies were collected between January and June 2024. Samples were cultured for total bacteria and coliform counts using spread plate and filtration methods. Confirmatory tests were performed on colonies. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion. The results indicated that all samples positive for bacterial contamination exceeded established standards, with 45% containing more than three species. None of the samples contained coliform bacteria. Seventeen distinct bacterial species were identified, including Acinetobacter baumannii (21%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10%). Additionally, the isolates displayed antibiotic resistance, posing significant health risks. Previously, there was a lack of reliable information regarding the bacterial contamination of water distributed by tankers. The results of this study revealed that bacterial contamination in water exceeded accepted standards. Additionally, pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms were detected. Therefore, relevant authorities must implement strict control and monitoring measures