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This work investigates the experimental study to examine the operation characteristics of a neat neem oil methyl ester (BD100) along with silver oxide nano-particles as a metal-based additive in various mass fractions. Silver oxide nano-particle is mixed into 100% of BD100 at 5 and 10 ppm. The experimental investigation on diesel engine reveals that the addition of silver oxide nano-particles to BD100 resulted in enhancement of brake thermal efficiency (BTE) with a reduction in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The tested emission parameters such as CO, HC, NOx, and smoke were decreased by 12.22, 10.89, 4.24, and 6.61% for BD100+ Ag 2 O (5 ppm ) and 16.47, 14.21, 6.66, and 8.34% for BD100 respectively when compared to BD100. Overall, improvement in ignition characteristics of the engine was finer by adding 5 and 10 ppm of silver oxide nano-particle to BD100 on account of the enhanced surface area to volume ratio.

Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), also known as the neem tree, has been used for millennia as a traditional remedy for a multitude of human ailments. Also recognized around the world as a broad-spectrum pesticide and fertilizer, neem has applications in agriculture and beyond. Currently, the extensive antimicrobial activities of A. indica are being explored through research in the fields of dentistry, food safety, bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology. Herein, some of the most recent studies that demonstrate the potential of neem as a previously untapped source of novel therapeutics are summarized as they relate to the aforementioned research topics. Additionally, the capacity of neem extracts and compounds to act against drug-resistant and biofilm-forming organisms, both of which represent large groups of pathogens for which there are limited treatment options, are highlighted. Updated information on the phytochemistry and safety of neem-derived products are discussed as well. Although there is a growing body of exciting evidence that supports the use of A. indica as an antimicrobial, additional studies are clearly needed to determine the specific mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and in vivo safety of neem as a treatment for human pathogens of interest. Moreover, the various ongoing studies and the diverse properties of neem discussed herein may serve as a guide for the discovery of new antimicrobials that may exist in other herbal panaceas across the globe.

Met die langer lewensverwagting en verandering van pensioenskemas van maatskappye die afgelope paar jaar word dit al hoe belangriker vir salaristrekkers en pensioenarisse om self verantwoordelikheid te neem vir hulle finansiële beplanning voor en na aftrede. Sewe faktore speel ‘n rol in die bestuur van pensioenfondse. Die eerste is hoeveel geld beskikbaar is om te belê . Die tweede is hoeveel geld jaarliks benodig word. Die derde is die opbrengs wat jaarliks op die belegging verdien word en die vierde, wat hiermee verband hou, is die jaarlikse inflasiekoers. Die laaste drie faktore is die huidige ouderdom, die voorsiene sterfdatum en laastens hoe lank die geld gaan hou voor dit op is. Deur faktore te kombineer bv die reële groei, die persentasie van fondse wat onttrek word, is die saak vereenvoudig. Die tyd hoe lank die fondse sou hou voor dit uitgeput is onder verskillende scenarios is bereken. ‘n Eenvoudige grafiek is opgestel waardeur verskeie vrae betreklik maklik beantwoord kan word. Dit sluit vrae in soos hoeveel geld belê moet word om gemaklike aftrede te verseker. Hoe lank die geld gaan hou onder verskillende scenarios. Wat die groeikoers moet wees om te verseker dat my beleggings hou tot ek sterwe. Alhoewel daar nog steeds onsekerhede is, sal hierdie instrument pensionarisse help om goeie besluite te neem oor die rasionele bestuur van aftreefinansies en kan aanpassings op korter termyn gemaak word. A simple instrument to aid in managing pension funds on a rational basis after retirement Seven factors play a role in the rational management of pension funds. Apart from the sum invested and the funds required every month the growth on the investment and the rate of inflation also plays a role. The current age and life expectancy determines how much funds can be used to ensure that funds are not depleted. By calculating how long it would take under different scenarios before funds are exhausted a graph could be designed by simplifying some parameters e.g. investment growth and inflation could be combined as the real rate of return. Similarly the percentage of funds used per year represents the investment made and quantity used. The simple graph developed makes it possible to determine how long funds would last under different scenarios. The graph it makes it possible to answer questions such as: How much funds should I invest to enable retirement with a certain income per year? What should the real growth rate be to ensure I get the funds that I need for my life expectancy? How much money can I withdraw every year to ensure that my investment is not depleted before my death? Although the graph depends on certain assumptions such as real growth rates and life expectancy it is so simple to use that changes in withdrawal can be made based on recent results and not only on long term forecasts. The rational use of this instrument would enable pensioners to avoid the mistake of using too much of the investment. It could also ensure that pensioners do not unneccesarily decrease their quality of life by not using the sustainable yield that could be available.

Hierdie artikel toon, aan die hand van vier voorbeelde, aan dat die houers van inheemse kennis per definisie selfgerigte leerders was en is, en dat hulle die inisiatief neem, met of sonder die hulp van ander, vir die identifisering van hulle leerbehoeftes en leerdoelwitte, die identifisering van hulpmiddels vir leer, die kies en implementering van leerstrategieë, en die evaluering van die uitkomstes. Daar word ook met behulp van die etnobotaniese kennisindeks gewys hoe die selfgerigte leer van mense in die Noord-Kaap in Suid-Afrika beïnvloed word deur hulle behoeftes. Deur van derdegenerasie- kultuurhistoriese aktiwiteitsteorie gebruik te maak, word gekyk na watter lesse dit inhou vir die skoolklaskamer wat dikwels gebuk gaan onder onderwysergesentreerde transmissiemodus-onderrig en -leer, en baie min selfgerigte leer. A cultural-historical activity theory focus on the holders of indigenous knowledge as self directed learners: Lessons for education in South African schools. This article demonstrates by means of four examples how the holders of indigenous knowledge were and are self-directed learners. They take the initiative to diagnose their learning needs and learning goals, identify resources for learning, choose appropriate learning strategies, and evaluate the outcomes. The construct of the ethnobotanical knowledge index is used to show how people in the Northern Cape in South Africa become self-directed learners to survive. By using third generation cultural-historical activity theory, we show the lessons this holds for the classroom, which often is characterised by teacher-centred transmission mode teaching and learning, with very little self-directed learning.

A major challenge of agriculture is to increase food production to meet the needs of the growing world population, without damaging the environment. In current agricultural practices, the control of pests is often accomplished by means of the excessive use of agrochemicals, which can result in environmental pollution and the development of resistant pests. In this context, biopesticides can offer a better alternative to synthetic pesticides, enabling safer control of pest populations. However, limitations of biopesticides, including short shelf life, photosensitivity, and volatilization, make it difficult to use them on a large scale. Here, we review the potential use of neem oil in crop protection, considering the gaps and obstacles associated with the development of sustainable agriculture in the not too distant future.

Neem ( Azadirachta indica ) Oilseed Cake (NOC) is a by-product of neem oil production, acts as a potent second-generation lignocellulosic biomass was employed for integrated production of lipid and β-carotene using Rhodosporidium toruloides NCIM 3547. In this study, a hybrid pretreatment was adopted for the breakdown of lignin and hydrolysis of hemicellulosic compounds resulting in 61.61% (w/w) of delignification. The resultant hydrolysate contains both C5 (pentose), C6 (hexose) sugars and lignin-degradatory compounds out of which glucose (25.51 ± 1.79 g/L), xylose (10.68 ± 0.19 g/L), arabinose (15.52 ± 0.28 g/L), acetic acid (1.66 ± 0.02 g/L), furfural (126.98 ± 1.41 mg/L) and HMF (259.74 ± 2.89 mg/L). Further, it was subjected to fermentation using Rhodosporidium toruloides NCIM 3547 resulting in 42.53 ± 0.85 (%, w/w) of lipid and β-carotene (60.88 ± 0.39 mg/L; 24.35 μg/g DCW) would facilitate an industrial application. The intracellular lipid bodies were observed by Nile red-stained cells using fluorescent microscopy and its fluorescence intensity was measured by flow cytometer. Subsequently, the lipid was transesterified and the fatty acid profile was analysed using GC–MS to justify its potential for food and biodiesel production. This study reveals that NOC can be utilized for industrial product formation through fermentative strategy by formulating the utilization of lignin and hemicellulosic components towards a circular economy. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: The interaction between chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) yields a thick precipitate capable of occluding dentinal tubules. Previous studies are unclear as to the above-mentioned precipitate contains para-chloroaniline (PCA) or not. PCA is a known toxic and carcinogenic compound which may lead to methemoglobinemia in humans. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the precipitate formed on combination of different irrigants, weigh the amount of precipitate formed and to analyze the precipitate for PCA by using thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), column chromatography (CC), electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), Ultraviolet (UV), and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR and C-13 NMR). Materials and Methods: Four different irrigants namely 2% CHX gluconate, 3% NaOCl, 5% neem and 5% tulsi were taken in different test tubes. Group 1, 2 and 3 included 1 ml 2% CHX combined with 1 ml each of 3% NaOCl, 5% neem and 5% tulsi. Group 4 and 5 comprised of 1 ml 3% NaOCl in combination with 1 ml 5% each of neem and tulsi. Finally, group 6 constituted 1 ml 5% neem mixed with 1 ml 5% tulsi. Each group was observed for 2 min for the formation of any precipitate, and the formed precipitate was weighed and analyzed using 1H-NMR and C-13 NMR, TLC, CC, HPLC, ESI-MS, and UV. Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVA and Post hoc–Tukey test were used. Results: Presence of PCA was detected in group 1 (CHX + NaOCl), group 2 (CHX + neem) and group 3 (CHX + tusli) in all the sensitive methods employed. Conclusion: The presence of PCA in precipitate was confirmed by TLC, CC, HPLC, ESI-MS, and UV. Based on the results of the present study, we assume that components in CHX are responsible for precipitate formation which contains PCA as well. Extrusion of precipitate beyond the apex may cause periapical tissue damage and delay wound healing at the same time.

Higher demands of food led to higher nitrogen application to promote cropping intensification and produce more which may have negative effects on the environment and lead to pollution. While sustainable wheat production is under threat due to low soil fertility and organic matter due to nutrient degradation at high temperatures in the region. The current research explores the effects of different types of coated urea fertilizers and their rates on wheat crop under arid climatic conditions of Pakistan. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency by using eco-friendly coated urea products could benefit growers and reduce environmental negative effects. A trial treatment included N rates (130, 117, 104, and 94 kg ha -1 ) and coated urea sources (neem coated, sulfur coated, bioactive sulfur coated) applied with equal quantity following split application method at sowing, 20 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). The research was arranged in a split-plot design with randomized complete block design had three replicates. Data revealed that bioactive sulfur coated urea with the application of 130 kg N ha -1 increased chlorophyll contents 55.0 (unit value), net leaf photosynthetic rate (12.51 μmol CO 2 m -2 s -1 ), and leaf area index (5.67) significantly. Furthermore, research elucidates that bioactive sulfur urea with the same N increased partial factor productivity (43.85 Kg grain Kg -1 N supplied), nitrogen harvest index (NHI) 64.70%, and partial nutrient balance (1.41 Kg grain N content Kg -1 N supplied). The neem-coated and sulfur-coated fertilizers also showed better results than monotypic urea. The wheat growth and phenology significantly improved by using coated fertilizers. The crop reached maturity earlier with the application of bioactive sulfur-coated urea than others. Maximum total dry matter 14402 (kg ha -1 ) recorded with 130 kg N ha -1 application. Higher 1000-grain weight (33.66 g), more number of grains per spike (53.67), grain yield (4457 kg ha -1 ), and harvest index (34.29%) were obtained with optimum N application 130 kg ha -1 (recommended). There is a significant correlation observed for growth, yield, and physiological parameters with N in the soil while nitrogen-related indices are also positively correlated. The major problem of groundwater contamination with nitrate leaching is also reduced by using coated fertilizers. Minimum nitrate concentration (7.37 and 8.77 kg ha -1 ) was observed with the application of bioactive sulfur-coated and sulfur-coated urea with lower N (94 kg ha -1 ), respectively. The bioactive sulfur-coated urea with the application of 130 kg N ha -1 showed maximum phosphorus 5.45 mg kg -1 and potassium 100.67 mg kg -1 in the soil. Maximum nitrogen uptake (88.20 kg ha -1 ) is showed by bioactive sulfur coated urea with 130 kg N ha -1 application. The total available NPK concentrations in soil showed a significant correlation with physiological attributes; grain yield; harvest index; and nitrogen use efficiency components, i.e., partial factor productivity, partial nutrient balance, and nitrogen harvest index. This research reveals that coating urea with secondary nutrients, neem oil, and microbes are highly effective techniques for enhancing fertilizer use efficiency and wheat production in calcareous soils and reduced N losses under arid environments.

The aim of this study was to find out how neem leaf extract affected the immune systems of Tilapia (O. niloticus) that had A. hydrophila in their bodies. This included looking at its phytochemistry, antibacterial properties, bioactive compounds, and ability to make the immune system stronger. The extraction uses methanol. The phytochemical test of neem leaf extract includes flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. We obtained the isolate A. hydrophila from the Jepara Brackish Water Aquaculture. Before use, we store these bacteria in Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) media at 4 oC and Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) subcultures. re use.       Test antibacterial using published We confirmed flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids through phytochemical tests. firmed.       The test against A. hydrophila bacteria found that 100% of the extract was the most effective concentration at stopping the growth of A. hydrophila bacteria. After feeding A. hydrophilla bacteria to Tilapia (O. niloticus), the extract of neem leaf (A. indica) significantly boosted the immune system. bserved.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) represent an important threat to millions of people worldwide, since they act as vectors for important pathogens, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue and West Nile. Control programmes mainly rely on chemical treatments against larvae, indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated bed nets. In recent years, huge efforts have been carried out to propose new eco-friendly alternatives, with a special focus on the evaluation of plant-borne mosquitocidal compounds. Major examples are neem-based products (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Meliaceae) that have been proven as really effective against a huge range of pests of medical and veterinary importance, including mosquitoes. Recent research highlighted that neem cake, a cheap by-product from neem oil extraction, is an important source of mosquitocidal metabolites. In this review, we examined (i) the latest achievements about neem cake metabolomics with special reference to nor-terpenoid and related content; (ii) the neem cake ovicidal, larvicidal and pupicidal toxicity against Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquito vectors; (iii) its non-target effects against vertebrates; and (iv) its oviposition deterrence effects on mosquito females. Overall, neem cake can be proposed as an eco-friendly and low-cost source of chemicals to build newer and safer control tools against mosquito vectors.