Herein, we unveil a remarkable finding for synthesizing room-temperature-stable, nontoxic, ultrasmall free-standing diamond cubic tin nanocrystals (α-Sn) with beta forms in the aqueous phase, avoiding conventional approaches that typically use toxic elements or large reactive substrates (Si/InSb) to stabilize α-Sn above 13 °C. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of free-standing alpha tin with extraordinary stability up to 80 °C and in the aqueous phase at room temperature, which was supported by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization methods. This synthetic approach eliminates the need to use hazardous materials, bulky substrates, and elevated temperatures, offering a safer, low-cost, and more sustainable alternative. Prepared α-Sn is characterized by extraordinary NIR absorption and a photothermal efficiency of 42.4%, making it a promising photothermal agent for cancer treatment upon shining low-power (0.5 W) 980 nm NIR light using a CW laser. Using fast Fourier transform weighted bright-field imaging, a mathematical model that foretells the behavior of live malignant cells before and after photothermal treatment has been constructed. Additionally, in vivo studies in rats backed by biochemical and histopathological analyses demonstrated no adverse effects on the vital organs of Wister rats. The unusual biocompatibility of the prepared α-Sn nanocrystals is demonstrated by a low hemolysis index (3.28 ± 0.53%) of the blood, which is far below the permissible limits of 5%. Current research unveils the strong potential of free-standing alpha-tin not only in the area of nanomedicine but also in other domains.

Herbal raw materials have been widely utilized around the world since antiquity, especially for primary health care. They have been acknowledged for their superior therapeutic value over contemporary medications. The diverse indigenous systems of medicine in India such as Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and Allopathy employ many herbal formulations to cure different types of diseases. Herbal raw materials are important as traditional remedies and as trade commodities that satisfy the needs of far-flung markets. During postharvest storage, the raw materials of herbal drugs are prone to contamination by different microorganisms and their associated toxic chemicals that deteriorate the active principles of drugs and make them unsafe for consumption. Nanoencapsulated plant essential oils (EOs) could be used as a green preservative agent for herbal raw materials against the microbes and their associated toxins. The present chapter deals with the therapeutic efficacy of herbal raw materials, possible toxic contaminants, and their management by using nanoencapsulated plant EOs. In addition, it also highlights the current challenges and future perspectives that lie in the use of herbal raw materials in the global market.

Dermatomycoses is a serious subcutaneous complication of humans and other vertebrates caused by an important group of keratinophylic fungi namely Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Cymbopogon khasans (CKEO), Cyperus scariosus essential oil (CSEO) and their combination (1:1) against induced dermatophytes. The CKEO, CSEO and their combination (1:1) completely inhibited the growth of Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum at 0.1, 0.25 and 0.1 µL/mL, respectively. The inhibition of ergosterol suggests plasma membrane as the possible target of CKEO, CSEO and their combination. During in situ investigation, the CKEO, CSE and their combination completely cures induced dermatomycoses in guinea pigs. The safety profile of CKEO, CSEO and their combination was tested through oral acute toxicity and was found to be 2312.20, 8269.60 and 2117.30 μL/kg body weight, respectively. Based on overall findings, it can be concluded that CKEO, CSEO and their combination offers a promising potential for the treatment of dermatomycoses.

The main objective of this work is to investigate the study of the local and semi-local convergence of the contraharmonic-mean Newton's method (CHMN) for solving nonlinear equations in a Banach space. We have performed the semi-local convergence analysis by using generalized conditions. We examine the theoretical results by comparing the CHN method with the Newton's method and other third order methods by Weerakoon et al. using some test functions. The theoretical and numerical results are also supported by the basins of attraction for a selected test function.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic fungal secondary metabolites associated with Aspergillus flavus contaminated food products. Although a range of synthetic chemicals has been used to control molds contamination, most of them possess a risk to the health and environment. The study reports the efficacy of nanoencapsulated plant-based synergistic antifungal formulation (Ne-CGT) as a green chemical agent against Aspergillus flavus and AFB1 contamination. The antifungal formulation (CGT) was prepared using the mathematical model based on different proportions of plant compounds (citral (C), geraniol (G), and terpineol (T)) and encapsulated inside the chitosan. Ne-CGT exhibited enhanced antifungal and AFB1 activity (0.15 μl/ml) compared to its free form CGT (0.3 μl/ml). Toxicity mechanism was related with impairment in functioning in the cell membrane (ergosterol and ion leakage), biochemical perturbance (mitochondrial membrane potential, enzyme activity Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR), and carbon source metabolism), and functioning of aflatoxin biosynthesis gene Ver-1 and Nor-1. In addition, Ne-CGT effectively preserves the nutrition properties (lipid peroxidation, total carbohydrate, and crude protein) of Sorghum bicolor seed. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach revealed the favorable safety profile and ecological acceptability of Ne-CGT. Hence, the study recommends its application as a plant-based antifungal agent to manage the growth of fungal and AFB1 contamination in agricultural food products.

The goal of the present work is to obtain an eighth order optimal Newton like method to solve non-linear algebraic equations. We also examine the dynamics of the proposed method. It is an optimal eighth order consistent with Kung–Traub conjecture with efficiency index 1.682. We have tested the proposed method using several numerical examples and also discussed the basin of attraction related to some numerical examples.

In this paper, we present new cubically convergent Newton-type iterative methods with dynamics for solving nonlinear algebraic equations under weak conditions. The proposed methods are free from second-order derivative and work well when [Formula: see text]. Numerical results show that the proposed method performs better when Newton’s method fails or diverges and competes well with same order existing method. Fractal patterns of different methods also support the numerical results and explain the compactness regarding the convergence, divergence, and stability of the methods to different roots.

The motive of the present work is to introduce and investigate the quadratically convergent Newton’s like method for solving the non-linear equations. We have studied some new properties of a Newton’s like method with examples and obtained a derivative-free globally convergent Newton’s like method using forward difference operator and bisection method. Finally, we have used various numerical test functions along with their fractal patterns to show the utility of the proposed method. These patterns support the numerical results and explain the compactness regarding the convergence, divergence and stability of the methods to different roots.

The recent notification issued by the Central Council of Indian Medicine making it compulsory for the postgraduate students of two streams of Ayurveda (Shalya Tantra and Shalakya Tantra) to be trained in different kinds of modern surgical procedures as a part of their curricula has led to a nation-wide debate. While practitioners from biomedical sciences are voicing their concerns against the decision, Ayurveda professionals are seen defending the same. In this article we try to look at this issue from a dispassionate and realistic point of view. We recount the historical milestones that paved way for the incorporation of the modern surgical practices in to Ayurveda curricula. Currently though there are many skilful Ayurveda surgeons who practice surgery in India, the standard of education in many Ayurveda colleges is very poor because of a low patient turn-out which is a matter of serious concern. We argue that, however, by citing these varying standards in education, imposing deliberate restrictions on Shalya-Shalakya students and not giving them access to treat patients too is unwarranted. Such a move can affect the research potential in these fields. We cite the history of the evolution of Kshara-Sutra therapy to justify our argument. Further, we delve into the issue of prospective and retrospective applicability of the said notification and suggest a few options that the Ministry of AYUSH may consider to resolve this issue. We conclude by saying that well-trained Ayurveda surgeons must be allowed to practice surgery, but at the same time, a blanket license to all Shalya-Shalakya postgraduate degree holders to practice surgery without ensuring their actual clinical training would be unreasonable.

In this paper, we have obtained three optimal order Newton's like methods of order four, eight, and sixteen for solving nonlinear algebraic equations. The convergence analysis of all the optimal order methods is discussed separately. We have discussed the corresponding conjugacy maps for quadratic polynomials and also obtained the extraneous fixed points. We have considered several test functions to examine the convergence order and to explain the dynamics of our proposed methods. Theoretical results, numerical results, and fractal patterns are in support of the efficiency of the optimal order methods.

The main objective of this work is to present a new closed type third order variant of Newton’s method for solving system of nonlinear equations, which not only accelerates the Newton’s method but also removes its certain limitations. For this purpose we applied Simpson’s three eighth rule instead of trapezoid and rectangle in approximating the integral and thereby reducing the error. Numerical results show that the method is superior to the same order existing methods and well compete with some higher order methods.

Microorganisms area treasure in terms of the production of various bioactive compounds which are being explored in different arenas of applied sciences. In agriculture, microbes and their bioactive compounds are being utilized in growth promotion and health promotion with nutrient fortification and its acquisition. Exhaustive explorations are unraveling the vast diversity of microbial compounds with their potential usage in solving multiferous problems in crop production. Lipopeptides are one of such microbial compounds which havestrong antimicrobial properties against different plant pathogens. These compounds are reported to be produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and few other microorganisms; however, genus Bacillus alone produces a majority of diverse lipopeptides. Lipopeptides are low molecular weight compounds which have multiple industrial roles apart from being use das biosurfactants and antimicrobials. In plant protection, lipopeptides have wide prospects owing to theirpore-forming ability in pathogens, siderophore activity, biofilm inhibition, and dislodging activity, preventing colonization bypathogens, antiviral activity, etc. Microbes with lipopeptides that have all these actions are good biocontrol agents. Exploring these antimicrobial compounds could widen the vistas of biological pest control for existing and emerging plant pathogens. The broader diversity and strong antimicrobial behavior of lipopeptides could be a boon for dealing with complex pathosystems and controlling diseases of greater economic importance. Understanding which and how these compounds modulate the synthesis and production of defense-related biomolecules in the plants is a key question-the answer of which needs in-depth investigation. The present review provides a comprehensive picture of important lipopeptides produced by plant microbiome, their isolation, characterization, mechanisms of disease control, behavior against phytopathogens to understand different aspects of antagonism, and potential prospects for future explorations as antimicrobial agents. Understanding and exploring the antimicrobial lipopeptides from bacteria and fungi could also open up an entire new arena of biopesticides for effective control of devastating plant diseases.

The purpose of the present paper is to study the conformal transformation of m-th root Finsler metric. The spray coefficients, Riemann curvature and Ricci curvature of conformally transformed m-th root metrics are shown to be certain rational functions of direction. Further, under certain conditions it is shown that a conformally transformed m-th root metric is locally dually flat if and only if the transformation is a homothety. Moreover the conditions for the transformed metrics to be Einstein and isotropic mean Berwald curvature are also found.

In this paper, we have studied spherically symmetric Landsberg metrics with isotropic E-curvature and isotropic S-curvature. In the first case we have shown that the metric reduces to a Berwald metric and therefore, it is of vanishing E-curvature. In the second case we have completely classified the spherically symmetric Landsberg metric with isotropic S-curvature.

In the present paper, we find a condition under which a Finsler space with Randers change of generalized $m$th root metric is projectively related to an $m$th root metric. Then we find a condition under which Randers change of generalized $m$th root Finsler metric is locally projectively flat and also find a condition for locally dually flatness.

Finsler–Randers (FR) cosmological models in modified gravity theories have been investigated in this paper. The de Sitter and power law solutions are assumed for the scale factor in the corresponding cosmological models. All energy conditions have been discussed in detail for each scenario. Behaviour of FR cosmological models in modified theories of gravity like Einstein theory, Hoyle–Narlikar creation field theory, lyra geometry and general class of scalar–tensor theories have also been investigated.

Green nanoparticles are environment friendly and have established a promising role in drug delivery. These plant-based nanoparticles may be effective alternatives to antibiotics in combating different pathogenic fungi because of undergoing mutations and resistance in pathogens. However, their toxicity in humans should be checked before they can be recommended as therapeutics. The chapter deals with diverse metal nanoparticles used for human welfare, their chemical and biological synthesis as green nanoparticles, various applications, and their limitations during application, with special emphasis on their antifungal properties.

Stability analysis of dynamical system is very useful and is able to classify the role of stable and unstable equilibrium points. In this work, Naiver–Stokes system has been studied by using KCC theory. The Jacobi stability and dynamics of the deviation vector near equilibrium points have been also studied. Further, the effect of bifurcation parameter on stability of Navier–Stokes system has been observed and found the limiting conditions for bifurcation. Numerical examples of particular interest have been taken to compare the results of Jacobi stability and linear stability. It is observed that Jacobi stability on the basis of KCC theory is more efficient than the linear stability.

The study recommends the Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp. essential oil (ANEO) as plant-based shelf-life enhancer of millets against fungal, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination and lipid peroxidation with favourable safety profile. Chemical characterisation of ANEO through GC-MS, recorded 1,5-heptadiene-4-one,3,3,6-trimethyl (32.72