Incremental Ratio Research Articles

Effect of various plant extracts against major insect pests and natural enemies in rice Oryza sativa L.

AbstractExtracts from Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara, Nerium oleander, Aegle marmelos, Allium sativum, Citrus limon were compared with two checks viz. Azadirachtin 1 EC and Acephate 95 SG for their efficacy against Nilaparvata lugens, Orseolia oryzae and natural enemies in cultivated rice during two consecutive wet seasons from 2022 to 2023. It was revealed that, mean rice yield was significantly higher in the A. indica and Acephate 95 SG treatments compared to the control. The A. indica treatment emerged as the best treatment against O. oryzae whereas, the A. marmelos treatment was found most promising against N. lugens. All the studied botanicals had less impact on natural enemies than synthetic chemical. The cost economics of major insect pests' management in rice revealed that Acephate 95 SG treatment recorded the highest Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (1: 4.65) followed by A. indica (1: 3.74) and A. marmelos (1: 3.41).

Irreversible effects for SWCNT‐MWCNT/water based flow with Coriolis force over rotating frame: A numerical study

AbstractIn this study, two different types of nanofluids are used: One is the simple nanofluid consist of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), and the other is the hybrid nanofluid composed of single and multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT‐MWCNT). The famous Xue model is incorporated for the thermal energy analysis. An important property related to the nanoparticles is the Brownian motion and thermal‐migration, which is described by using Buongiorno's model. The appropriate similarity transformations are used to convert the governing nonlinear partial differential equations into the nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations for the both velocity and temperature profiles. The numerical solution is obtained for the present problem by using bvp4c Matlab routine. This code is based on the finite difference method that implements the three‐stage Lobatto IIIa formula. The comparative analysis for the entropy generation in rotating frame due to heat transfer, viscous heating, and mass diffusion is the main focus in this study. The impact of different parameters such as, rotational motion , thermomigration and Brownian motion , volume fractions of SWCNT & SWCNT‐MWCNT ,, Eckert number , Lewis number , chemical reaction parameter , Brinkman number the temperature ratio parameter and concentration difference parameter on axial and transverse velocity, temperature profile, entropy generation, and Bejan number are obtained. The obtained results for these different variables are presented through graphs and tabular form. When the solid volume fraction is enhanced, the flow and heat distribution are observed to increase. The Nusselt and Sherwood numbers for both nanofluids are investigated. The decay in Nusselt number is observed as the values of the heat source/sink parameter, thermophoresis, Brownian motion, and Eckert number are increased. However, in the case of Sherwood enhancement an increment in the value of the chemical reaction parameter, thermophoresis, Brownian motion, and Lewis number is observed. The entropy generation is enhanced as a result of increment in Brinkman number and temperature ratio. However, in the case of Bejan number, opposite trend was seen in the entropy generation. For the hybrid nanofluid, the enhancement in both heat transmission and irreversibility effect is observed as compared to simple nanofluid.

Impact of Co doping on the magnetic and transport properties of FeRh

FeRh undergoes a first-order phase transition from the antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) state at ∼370 K, which is highly sensitive to strain and compositional changes. In this study, we investigate the magnetic and electronic properties of Co-doped FeRh films fabricated using a co-sputtering technique, to address how the magnetic transition behavior is influenced by the doping in FeRh films. By adjusting Co sputtering gun currents (=0, 5, 8, and 10 mA), we achieve Co doping levels from 1 to 2 at. %, where initial Co atoms (for 5 and 8 mA) substitute Rh sites, while doped Co levels (for 10 mA) begin to occupy Fe sites with unchanged Co doping level of 2 at. %. We find that Co substitution significantly lowers the transition temperature, attributed to an enhancement of the FM phase due to the contribution of magnetic Co doping. Furthermore, the Co doping leads to a remarkable increment in the magnetoresistance ratio during the transition, reaching up to 190% for only 2 at. % Co doping, while keeping the magnetization change. The Hall effect measurements indicate a slight reduction in carrier density with Co doping, maintaining changes in carrier type across the phase transition. These results highlight the tunable magnetic phase transition and resistance changes in Co-doped FeRh films. This study provides valuable insights into the complex physics underlying the Co doping in FeRh films, emphasizing their scientific value in understanding the mechanism of the AFM–FM transitions in achieving high magnetoresistance.

Analysis of electroosmotic flow in a symmetric wavy channel containing anisotropic porous material with varying zeta potential

The present study examines an asymptotic analysis of electroosmotic flow phenomena bounded by the symmetrical wavy channel containing an anisotropic porous material under the variable pressure gradient and zeta potential. The incorporation of anisotropic porous material introduces additional complexities to the flow behavior. Electric potential is regulated by the non-linear Poisson–Boltzmann equation, which is linearized by the Debye–Hückel linearization process, and flow velocity inside the porous channel is governed by the Brinkman equation. The aspect ratio of the channel is considered to be significantly small, i.e., (δ2≪1). Obtaining analytical solutions to these non-linear coupled equations is a formidable challenge. To address this challenge, the equations are tackled by employing an asymptotic series expansion with respect to a small parameter, specifically the ratio of the channel thickness, where δ2≪1. The graphical analysis based on the derived expressions for flow quantities—such as fluid velocity, flow rate, flow resistance, wall shear stress, and pressure gradient along the wall—demonstrates the considerable impact of various governing parameters. These parameters, including the Debye–Hückel parameter, anisotropic ratio, slip length, and fluctuation amplitude, play a crucial role in influencing the behavior of these flow characteristics, highlighting their importance in determining the system's overall flow dynamics. The results demonstrate that an increment in the anisotropic ratio corresponds to an enhancement in fluid velocity and augmented flow rate. This relationship stems from the observed phenomenon wherein an enhancement in the anisotropic ratio leads to an augmentation in the permeability along the x-direction, thereby leading to an elevation in velocity and subsequently enhancing the flow rate. The study also examines the impact of flow reversal at the crests of the wavy channel resulting from the anisotropic ratio. The findings from our study have confirmed the axial fluid velocity in a purely pressure-driven flow system, where electroosmotic effects are not present. These results enhance our understanding of how anisotropic permeability affects fluid flow in microfluidic systems, especially when electrokinetic forces are at play.

Research on transparency of coal mine geological conditions based on distributed fiber‐optic sensing technology

AbstractCoal mining induces changes in the nature of rock and soil bodies, as well as hydrogeological conditions, which can easily trigger the occurrence of geological disasters such as water inrush, movement of the coal seam roof and floor, and rock burst. Transparency in coal mine geological conditions provides technical support for intelligent coal mining and geological disaster prevention. In this sense, it is of great significance to address the requirements for informatizing coal mine geological conditions, dynamically adjust sensing parameters, and accurately identify disaster characteristics so as to prevent and control coal mine geological disasters. This paper examines the various action fields associated with geological disasters in mining faces and scrutinizes the types and sensing parameters of geological disasters resulting from coal seam mining. On this basis, it summarizes a distributed fiber‐optic sensing technology framework for transparent geology in coal mines. Combined with the multi‐field monitoring characteristics of the strain field, the temperature field, and the vibration field of distributed optical fiber sensing technology, parameters such as the strain increment ratio, the aquifer temperature gradient, and the acoustic wave amplitude are extracted as eigenvalues for identifying rock breaking, aquifer water level, and water cut range, and a multi‐field sensing method is established for identifying the characteristics of mining‐induced rock mass disasters. The development direction of transparent geology based on optical fiber sensing technology is proposed in terms of the aspects of sensing optical fiber structure for large deformation monitoring, identification accuracy of optical fiber acoustic signals, multi‐parameter monitoring, and early warning methods.

Cost-effectiveness of C-reactive protein point of care testing for safely reducing antibiotic consumption for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as part of the multicentre, parallel-arm, open, individually randomised, controlled PACE trial

ObjectivesMany patients presenting with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in primary care do not benefit from antibiotics. Excessive use wastes resources, promotes antimicrobial resistance and can harm...

Improving water retention and mass transport for low-humidity proton exchange membrane fuel cells via a porous-channel interdigitated flow field

The power density in low-humidity proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is restricted by low membrane hydration level induced ohmic loss and low efficient oxygen supply induced concentration loss. Herein, a porous-channel interdigitated flow field (PIFF) is proposed to boost the cell performance by simultaneously enhancing water retention and mass transport. A three-dimensional multi-physical PEMFC model is applied to investigate the cell performance, water transport and species distribution. It is demonstrated that PIFF is effective in improving cell performance, due to the improved dissolved water content and under-rib oxygen supply. In the same water vapor capacity, the distribution of reactants relative humidity (RHa and RHc) affects cell performance, where the peak power density of PEMFC at RHa = RHc = 0.5 is lower than that at RHa = 0.8 and RHc = 0.2. The peak power density can be maximumly increased by increasing rib width at the ratio of rib width increment to channel width increment (ΔWrib/ΔWch) equaling to −0.5, but can be hardly increased at ΔWrib/ΔWch = 2. The mode with anode gases inlet direction being totally opposite to the cathode can maximumly enhance the cell performance at low reactants relative humidity. This work provides a high-performance flow field design for low-humidity PEMFCs.

The role of incremental stress ratio in mechanical behavior and particle breakage of calcareous sand

The role of incremental stress ratio in mechanical behavior and particle breakage of calcareous sand

Comparison of the Dynamic Characteristics of Tuned Liquid Column Dampers with Different Elbow Forms

This study aims to examine experimentally the damping performance of Tuned Liquid Column Dampers (TLCD) by considering different elbow forms. Experiments carried out within the scope of the study point out the dynamic characteristics of TLCD, which has 45 (open) and 90 (closed) degree-elbow forms with theoretical angular frequencies that are the same. Experiments consist of ±5 and ±10 mm harmonic excitation amplitude to observe the relationship between the damping ratio and head loss coefficient with the mass ratio of the TLCD. These experiments with an incremental mass ratio of 0.05% from 0.80% to 1.00% and with an incremental mass ratio of 0.10% from 1.00% to 1.20% had been carried out in detail. Mass and stiffness Modification Factors (MF) are suggested to minimize the difference between numerical and experimental results. Determined MFs are used to examine the earthquake performance of TLCD on a Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDOF) system. It is shown that the open elbow has an advantage of approximately 25% over the close elbow under earthquake performance on the SDOF system.

Homogeneous Mo1−xRexS2 monolayer and lateral 1T’@2H heterostructures for significantly enhanced and highly reproducible SERS responses and mechanistic insights

As a promising surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials ensure the uniformity and reproducibility of the SERS response. However, their extremely flat surfaces are not beneficial for high-capacity binding of analytes and significant enhancement of Raman signals. In this contribution, monolayer Mo0.27Re0.73S2 alloys with distorted lattice and modulated optoelectronic structure are facilely fabricated by space-confined chemical vapor deposition (CVD), exhibiting a significantly enhanced SERS performance with an enhancement factor of 2.0 × 1011. As demonstrated, the continuous increment of Re ratio results in a phase transition from 2H to 1T’ for homogeneous Mo1−xRexS2 monolayers. As a result, the 1T’-phase Mo0.27Re0.73S2 alloys achieve a sensitive detection of down to 10−15 M for Rhodamine 6G while the value on MoS2 or ReS2 is only 10−9 M. Additionally, the alloy-based SERS substrate demonstrates excellent SERS detection reproducibility, long-term stability, and universality. Referring to the space-confined CVD, a dynamics-controlled process is further employed for the in-situ fabrication of 1T’@2H Mo1−xRexS2 heterostructures, providing a new approach and insight for facilely building varied phases-based lateral heterostructures by the control of composition ratio. Overall, this work demonstrates the enormous potential of alloy engineering in improving the SERS performance of TMDs and the convenient fabrication of out-of-phase TMD alloys.

Enhancement of PV and concentered PV panels using evaporative cooling during summer and winter seasons: A case study in Egypt

Numerous efforts are made to comprehend the performance evolution of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The elevated surface temperature causes a deterioration in PV panels' performance, hindering the expected increase in harvested energy associated with integrating solar reflectors. In this context, the year-round efficacy of cooling PV panels supported by reflective mirrors is investigated to assess the effectiveness of solar reflector implementation. A conventional PV panel, a CPV (cooled PV panel), and a CCPV (concentrated cooled PV panel) were compared side-by-side to determine their relative performance and energy productivity. Evaporative cooling pads are utilized to chill the two modified PV systems by varying the coolant flow rate during the summer and winter seasons of 2022 and 2023, respectively, in the environmental conditions of the Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt. The findings indicate that the average daily power increment ratio (PIR) for CPV ranges from 4.7 % up to 7.4 %, while CCPV ranges from 6.7 % to 12 % for different climate conditions year-round. Finally, changing the setup configuration from CPV to CCPV increased the (PIR) 1.5 times during the summer tests and 1.7 times during the winter tests.

High-risk human papillomavirus testing for cervical cancer screening in Uganda: Considering potential harms and benefits in a low-resource setting.

The World Health Organization supports both the screen-and-treat (ST) approach and the screen, triage and treat (STT) approach to cervical cancer screening using high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing. For Uganda, the sequence of hrHPV-ST and hrHPV-STT could be similar, with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) after positive hrHPV tests in both. To consider potential tradeoffs (overtreatment in ST versus missed cancer cases in STT), we compared hrHPV-STT with VIA triage (STT-VIA), and STT with HPV 16/18 genotyping risk stratification, to hrHPV-ST for Uganda, in terms of overtreatment, cervical cancer incidence, and life years, for the general female population of Uganda. A microsimulation model of cervical cancer was adapted. Incremental benefit-harm ratios of STT were calculated as ratios of prevented overtreatment to reduced life years, and to increased cancer cases. Additional scenarios with 20% difference in intra- and inter-screening follow-up between ST and STT were modeled. Both STT strategies resulted in life year losses on average compared to ST. STT-VIA prevented more overtreatment but led to increased cervical cancer incidence and life year losses. STT-G-VIA resulted in better harm-benefit ratios and additional costs. With better follow-up, STT prevented overtreatment and improved outcomes. For Uganda, the STT approach appears preferrable, if the screening sequences of hrHPV-based ST and STT are similar in practice. While VIA triage alone would reduce overtreatment the most, it could also result in more cancer cases. Risk stratification via genotyping could improve STT. Potential follow-up differences and resource availability should be considered by decision-makers when planning Uganda's hrHPV-based screening strategy.

Evaluation framework for bitumen-aggregate interfacial adhesion incorporating pull-off test and fluorescence tracing method

The interfacial adhesion between bitumen and aggregate is crucial to maintain the mechanical performance of asphalt pavement. Numerous indicators characterize the bonding ability of bitumen to aggregate; however, indicators based on limited conditions are used infrequently to effectively evaluate the interfacial adhesion between bitumen and aggregate. This study introduces a method to assess adhesion and moisture damage resistance at the bitumen-aggregate interface by combining the pull-off test with the fluorescence tracing method. The improved pull-off test considers different bitumen film thicknesses, ambient temperatures, material combinations, and moisture damage conditions, and the fluorescence tracing method and surface energy parameters are utilized to precisely detect the extent of bitumen adherence to the aggregate. The findings of this study are summarized as follows. (1) The bitumen stripping ratio characterizes the influence of ambient temperature and bitumen film thickness, and the pull-off strength/work quantifies the influence of ambient temperature and material combination. (2) The indicators derived from surface free energy theory exhibit lower sensitivity to material combinations compared with the pull-off performance indicators, with a coefficient of variation for both adhesion and stripping work of approximately 6 % compared to 14.29 %–70.13 % for the pull-off performance indicators. (3) The pull-off strength indicator dominates the pull-off performance evaluation, with the bitumen stripping ratio necessary at 0°C and pull-off work significant at 40°C to evaluate adhesive properties. In addition, the bitumen stripping ratio increment should be considered alongside pull-off strength loss ratio when estimating anti-moisture damage performance. (4) The fluorescence tracing method shows great potential in terms of enhancing the accuracy of bitumen stripping ratio detection in the pull-off test, with bitumen stripping ratio discrepancies at 0°C–40°C ranging from 0.98 % to 7.16 % for 70#-Limestone and 2.10–9.21 % for 70#-Granite. The methodology presented in this study represents a promising framework to determine the interfacial adhesive properties of asphalt mixtures with high accuracy.

The economic impact of dry port investment in Indonesia: A case study of Bangil, Pasuruan District, East Java Province

Acknowledging the pivotal role of ports and dry ports in shaping a nation’s economic landscape, this study explores the economic impact of port development in East Java, specifically Bangil Dry Port in Pasuruan over at least 30 years of business operational process. This study pioneers the quantification of gross value added, investment multiplier effect, tax contribution, and Creating Shared Value (CSV) resulting from dry port investment. The method used for calculating multiplier investment is Keynesian multiplier approach and for labor absorption is Incremental Labor Output Ratio (ILOR). Field surveys were conducted to determine the condition of Bangil, and secondary data on the growth of container flows at Port of Tanjung Perak was used as a reference for growth in Bangil. Overall, these results show that Bangil Dry Port investment will generates positive impact both for government and society in general, but also the economy of East Java and Pasuruan District in particular. These results offer practical guidance for decision-makers in optimizing public funds allocation, while also laying the groundwork for future scholars to conduct comprehensive societal-scale cost-benefit analyses of strategic port investments, contributing to a deeper understanding of the economic implications.

Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) of Poly House and Open Field Conditions in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) after Chemical Intervention

This study evaluates the Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) between Poly house and Open field conditions in cabbage cultivation chemical intervention. The research aimed to compare the economic feasibility of adopting poly house technology over traditional open field methods, considering costs and benefits associated with chemical inputs. A comparative cost analysis was conducted to assess production expenses like costs for insecticidal treatments and labor charges. Yield data from both environments were collected to determine output differences and subsequent economic returns. Results indicate that Incremental cost benefit ratio of cabbage heads yields to the cost of treatments in poly house and open field presented as there was a significant superior difference in ICBR ratio of poly house with 1: 0.946 as compared to open field with 1: 0.639 of cabbage heads. The economic analysis revealed that the higher yields and quality achieved in poly house conditions due to less dissipation and undisturbed environmental factors on insecticide applied. Resulting in a favorable incremental Cost benefit ratio compared to open field cultivation.

Innovative Strategies for Controlling Sorghum Shoot Fly: Seed Treatments and Botanical Insecticides

Aim: To assess the efficacy of various treatments for managing sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani, and their effects on plant vigour, growth, yield, and Incremental Cost-Benefit Ratio (ICBR). Study Design: A field experiment with a Randomized Block Design, involving three replications and nine treatments. Place and Duration of Study: Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (29.1492° N, 75.7217° E), during the Kharif season of 2020. Methodology: Sorghum variety Swarna was sown in August 2020. Treatments included Imidacloprid 70WS, Thiamethoxam 30FS, Neem oil, Karanj oil, and their combinations. Treatments were applied at 7 and 17 days after emergence. Data on plant stand, egg counts, dead hearts (%), plant height, green fodder yield, and ICBR were analyzed. Results: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% showed the best performance, significantly reducing shoot fly infestation (19.98%) and enhancing plant vigour (1.00), height (86.93 cm), and yield (309.60 q/ha). Neem oil @ 2% was more effective than Karanj oil @ 2%. Imidacloprid 70WS had the highest Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) (1:21), while Karanj oil @ 2% had the lowest (1:0.78). Conclusion: Thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10ml/kg + neem oil @ 2% was the most effective for managing shoot fly and improving crop performance. Imidacloprid 70WS offered the highest economic benefit, indicating its cost-effectiveness in pest management.

Evaluation of Physical and Sensory Properties of Biscuits Made from Blended Wheat Flour and Pumpkin Powder

Biscuit is a type of confectionery popular among all age groups and able to change to become a complete food with necessary nutrients. Pumpkin is a nutritious vegetable that has high post-harvest losses in Sri Lanka. The aim of this research was to analyze the composition of pumpkin powder and evaluate the physical and sensory properties of biscuits made from blended wheat flour and pumpkin powder. Analyses revealed that moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content of pumpkin powder were 8.5%, 5.2%, 1.2%, 3.4%, 4% and 77.7% respectively. Biscuits were made by replacing wheat flour with pumpkin powder at different levels as 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40% (w/w) in the standard formulation. When the percentage of pumpkin powder increased from 10 to 40%, the thickness of biscuits decreased significantly compared to control (0%) There was a significant increment in the spread ratio of biscuits between 10 and 40% levels of pumpkin powder when compared with the control. While 10 to 40% replacement levels of pumpkin powder resulted in significant increase in biscuit hardness, it decreased moisture content significantly compared to control. The color of the biscuits was assessed in terms of lightness, redness, and yellowness. When increasing the pumpkin powder percentage in biscuit, lightness reduced, while redness and yellowness increased gradually. Consumer acceptability test on sensory attributes indicated 5% (w/w) level of pumpkin powder was the most preferred replacement level. The study concludes that pumpkin powder has the potential to be used in biscuit applications.

Impact of biopolymer-based Trichoderma harzianum seed coating on disease incidence and yield in oilseed crops

The use of microbe-based biological control for crop pests is recognized as an environmentally safe substitute for conventional chemical pesticides. However, the practical application of microbial inoculants in large-scale agriculture is underexplored, impeding their widespread commercial adoption. This study addresses the scarcity of research on effective delivery methods for microbial inoculants, particularly through seed coating, which has the potential to be a cost- and time-efficient strategy in crop management. In this research, the Trichoderma harzianum strain Th4d, a biological control agent (BCA), was incorporated into specially formulated biopolymeric compositions based on chitosan and cellulose. The efficacy of this seed coating approach was tested against various soil- and seed-borne pathogens in oilseed crops, including soybean, groundnut, and safflower. Results indicate that safflower treated with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend exhibited a higher seed yield of 793 kg/ha, seed germination of 84.7 %, and a significant reduction in wilt and root rot by 64.7 %. In groundnut crops, the seed coating led to a seed germination rate of 88.6 %, a 72 % reduction in root rot incidence, and a seed yield of 3040 kg/ha. Similarly, soybean crops treated with the biopolymer chitosan and T. harzianum Th4d displayed 83.4 % seed germination, a 70.9 % reduction in root rot, and a seed yield of 1239 kg/ha. Further on-farm evaluations demonstrated promising results, with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend seed treatment showing a high incremental cost-benefit ratio in safflower (1:4.5), soybean (1:2.5), and groundnut crops (1:3.3). This study underscores the potential of microbe-based seed coating as a sustainable and economically viable strategy for pest management in oilseed crops."

Biocompatibility and antimicrobial efficacy of silver-doped borosilicate bioactive glass for tissue engineering application

Borate bioactive glasses are an auspicious material for tissue engineering applications due to their enhanced dissolution rate, bioactivity, and capacity to integrate therapeutic ions. In this study, borate-based S49B4 bioactive glass doped with silver at mass fraction of 0.5, 1, and 3 wt% were studied for bioactivity, degradation, antibacterial, and cytocompatibility. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the bioactive glasses were thermally stable between 600 and 700 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful synthesis of an amorphous phase of the doped borosilicate bioactive glasses and the incorporation of silver ion crystals within the structure, as well as associated contributions from borate and silicate network formers in the borosilicate bioactive glass. Morphological evaluation revealed that the borosilicate bioactive glasses exhibit a uniform and spherical shape across all formulations, with the mean particle size varying from 65 to 76 nm. An in-vitro acellular bioactivity in simulated body fluid medium showed that increasing the silver content increased the degradation rate and pH. Besides, scanning electron microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed an upsurge in apatite production on the BBGs' surfaces as well as incremental Calcium-Phosphate ratio values of 1.50, 1.65 and 1.70 as the silver content increases. The antibacterial effect was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while cytocompatibility was tested against human gingival epithelial cells. Silver integration at 1 wt percent yielded the most promising outcomes, which were particularly bactericidal at 79.8 % for Escherichia coli and 93.41 % for Staphylococcus aureus. Similarly, its Lactate Dehydrogenase percentage is significantly similar to the negative control employed in the study, indicating its biocompatibility. In contrast, 3 wt% silver exhibited the maximum bactericidal activity while also exhibiting mild cytotoxicity. In summary, our research indicates that elevated silver concentration enhances the bioactivity and antimicrobial characteristics of borosilicate bioactive glasses; nevertheless, a higher silver weight percent in this study also increases the possibility of cytotoxicity. It is therefore essential to carefully regulate the amount of silver doping at lower concentrations in order to maximize antibacterial action and minimize toxicity to human cells. The results presented here contribute to our understanding of the prospective use of silver doped borosilicate bioactive glasses as a possible material for tissue engineering applications.

Enhancing yield and economic benefits through sustainable pest management in Okra cultivation.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a prominent vegetable crop in Asia, confronting persistent threats from pests such as leafhoppers, whiteflies, and shoot and fruit borers. Conventional chemical control methods, despite their adverse ecological effects, remain the primary approach for pest management. Indiscriminate chemical use has led to reduced biodiversity among natural predators and the disruption of food webs in ecosystems. To address these challenges, this study assessed the efficacy of integrated (IM) and biointensive (BM) pest management modules in comparison to conventional chemical methods (CM) for mitigating insect damage to okra leaves and fruits, and subsequently, their impact on okra yield. Our result revealed that the BM exhibited the least effectiveness but outperformed untreated control plots significantly. In contrast, both IM and CM significantly reduced damage from sap-sucking insects and borer pests. Notably, plots treated with the chemical module found decreased populations of natural enemies. The IM demonstrated the lowest fruit infestation rate (5.06%), yielding the highest crop production (8.97 t ha-1), along with the maximum net return (Indian Rupees: 44,245) and incremental cost-benefit ratio (3.31). Thus, the study suggested that the implementation of integrated pest management practices can result in higher okra yields and greater economic benefits. These findings shed light on the potential of sustainable agricultural practices as a safer and more economically viable alternative to chemical-intensive pest control in okra cultivation.