[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14740.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11812.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14781.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19175.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15012.].

Inappropriate management of land use systems is one of the main factors that leads to soil quality degradation and its quantification is crucial to their sustainable utilization planning. The objective of the research is to evaluate how various land-use systems, viz., natural forest, tree plantations of Tectona grandis, Terminalia bellirica, Swietenia macrophylla, Artocarpus hirsutus, Melia dubia based agroforestry system, horticulture (Mangifera indica) and agriculture systems impact the soil physicochemical and biological characteristics in semi-arid climatic conditions of India. Principal component analysis followed by linear and non-linear scoring methods was employed to compute the soil quality index (SQI). The soil attributes viz., dehydrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity, soil available nitrogen, potassium, calcium, porosity, and soil available iron emerged as significant indicators for assessing the soil quality. Among different SQIs, non-linear weighted SQI can efficiently assess soil quality. Based on the non-linear weighted SQI, the order of the systems studied was natural forest (0.973) > Swietenia macrophylla (0.756) > agroforestry (0.737) > agriculture (0.556) > Tectona grandis (0.416) > Terminalia bellirica (0.373) > Artocarpus hirsutus (0.343) > Mangifera indica (0.208). The study concludes that converting natural forests into different land-use systems deteriorated the soil quality. Identifying soil indicators will help rapidly diagnose soil degradation, assess soil-based ecosystem services, and design appropriate land management practices in the future.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of herbal 2% topical gel formulations of either of Allium sativum, Calotropis procera and Prosopis juliflora or their combination compared to an antibiotic cream (Betaderm-N) on healing of fullthickness skin wounds in rabbit. The wound healing (contraction) rate of treated groups was found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher than the positive and negative control groups. The wound treated with A. sativum were healed on 12th day while those treated with P. juliflora or Betaderm-N cream healed on 15th day. The wounds treated with combination gel showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher healing rate and completely healed the wound by 9th day of the experiment and in the histo-pathological examination, there observed an increased number of collagen fibers in dermis of the skin compared to positive and negative controls. Catalase test was used to differentiate S. aureus from other staphylococcal species. S. aureus has golden or creamy colour colonies raised on mannitol salt agar with coagulase positive activity. While the pink colonies raised at Meckonky agar with Indol positive test were of E. coli. By disc diffusion method, the combination of three herbal extracts showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli than other groups and showed a significant increased level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GPx) at 7th (p<0.05), 14th (p<0.05) and 21st (p<0.01) days of treatments. It was thus concluded that the combined effects of three herbal extracts accelerated the healing process of surgical wound in rabbits due to presence of active metabolites.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are now being extensively used in thermal energy storage (TES) applications. Numerous researchers conducted experiments using various circumstances and materials to optimize storage performance. A study was conducted to compare the numerical research of the melting process of paraffin wax using a hybrid nano-integrated paraffin PCM with graphene oxide (GO) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in a TES unit. Hence, this research focuses on a sustainable TES system using hybrid nanomaterials (PCM + GO, PCM + SWCNTs, PCM + GO + SWCNT) with varying concentrations of nanoparticles. The objective is to improve the thermal characteristics of PCMs. The main aim of this study is to examine the numerical analysis of the system inside a TES that has a rectangular form. The numerical experiments were conducted using the finite-volume solver Ansys Fluent. The obtained findings show the thermophysical characteristics fluctuations with respect to the solid volume fractions, liquid fraction, temperature, and velocity inside the TES system. Implementing an effective heat transfer mechanism from the point of capture to storage and later consumption necessitates the employment of a heat transfer fluid. The inclusion of SWCNT particles at a concentration of just 10% has been seen to expedite the melting phenomenon. Furthermore, incorporating GO in conjunction with SWCNT alleviates this phenomenon, resulting in a melting behavior that resembles that of unadulterated paraffin. Additionally, the introduction of just 1% GO, combined with SWCNT, leads to a rapid alteration in surface heat transfer coefficient compared to the scenario with single SWCNT and paraffin. These insights hold practical relevance for the development of TES systems in various applications.

The need for efficiency in nanotechnology has spurred extraordinary development. Hybrid nanofluids, which are base fluids injected with nanoparticles, have a great potential for thermal enhancement in thermal systems. Particularly promising for magnetic thermal engineering are magnetic hybrid nanofluids. Understanding dynamic transport in Graphene Oxide (GO)–Fe3O4/H2O and GO/H2O nanofluids over stretching and shrinking surfaces, with severe entropy consequences, is still uncharted territory. To fully grasp this complexity, our study examines the numerical investigation of entropy formation in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) hybrid nanofluids. The aim of this study is to establish a mathematical framework for understanding entropy production in the context of MHD, unsteady, incompressible flow of hybrid nanofluid flow over surfaces that experience both stretching and shrinking. The investigation encompasses the influence of MHD effects and nonlinear thermal radiation on flow behavior. The governing modeled form is modified into solvable representations in Cartesian configuration and then addressed utilizing the built-in bvp4c approach in MATLAB. For numerous quantities of the relevant parameters, several key features of flow and heat transmission are explored, discussed, and illustrated utilizing tables and graphs. Furthermore, the heat transfer properties in a magnetic field have been improved dramatically. The comprehensive entropy generation rate was condensed by up to 41% as opposed to refined water, according to the findings from the analysis.

Sensing devices has been an interesting area of study because of their immense application in practical life. In the present work, the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) along with surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) excitation at the metal/ dielectric interface is investigated RF-module of COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a has been used to investigate copper (Cu) nanograting structure on the glass substrate in periodic arrangement of 1-dimensional (1D). The visible-infrared electromagnetic wavelength of 400–900 nm has been used to excite the SPPs at the interface and a light port is provided from the substrate side. The optimum EOT has been investigated at transmission spectra of 0th order. During this process thickness of the slit is fixed at 50 nm, the periodicity of the unit cell is fixed at 700 nm, and the width of the slit changed to check its effect on the EOT. Additionally, phenomena of near field investigation have also used to explore the transmission-based performance of field at the specific boundary of copper (Cu) and air which confirm spectra outcomes of transmission thorough the fabricated device. The optimum value of EOT found when the width of slit is at 250 nm for the Cu/air interface. The device used for this purpose is modeled in COMSOL. Along the EOT the SPPs phenomena is also investigated by using present modeled device. These phenomena are observed by studying the electric and magnetic parts of the device that models the Cu/Air interface. We tested it with different slit widths ranging from 50-450 nm. The coupling efficiency and sensitivity of Cu/Air 1D device design at optimum slit width of 250 nm calculated. Such devices are increasingly applicable in bio photonics sensing of DNA structure, in vivo study of the internal structure of the body, imaging, surface chemical reaction, environmental remediation, and in various solar cell industries (plasmonic solar cell).

The fast growth of electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems necessitates using innovative, high-performance electrode materials. Among the various EES devices, rechargeable batteries (RBs) with potential features like high energy density and extensive lifetime are well suited to meet rapidly increasing energy demands. Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), typical two dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, are considered auspicious materials for RBs because of their layered structures and large specific surface areas (SSA) that benefit quick ion transportation. This review summarizes and highlights recent advances in TMDs with improved performance for various RBs. Through novel engineering and functionalization used for high-performance RBs, we briefly discuss the properties, characterizations, and electrochemistry phenomena of TMDs. We summarised that engineering with multiple techniques, like nanocomposites used for TMDs receives special attention. In conclusion, the recent issues and promising upcoming research openings for developing TMDs-based electrodes for RBs are discussed.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and is considered an important vegetable worldwide.Its production has been challenged due to soil salinization and water shortages.Local tomato cultivars could be better adapted to salt stress.Based on this hypothesis, the present study was carried out to determine the variation in fourteen different tomato cultivars for salt tolerance.Seed germination, mean germination time, shoot length, and root length were examined under salinity stress (1.5 g L -1 NaCl).Plant growth and seed germination were severely affected by saline conditions.The results of this in vitro experiment showed that the seed germination of Yellow Milk was significantly increased (73.33%) however, Pink Jade and Red Jade cultivars were significantly decreased under the NaCl treatment.Similarly, among the fourteen tomato cultivars, the mean germination time of only Yellow Pearl and Black Current significantly increased.Moreover, the shoot length of eight tomato cultivars decreased compared with the control, while the highest shoot length (12.5 cm) was recorded in the case of Saint cultivar.The root length of Taiwan Red Saint, Purple Beauty, Yellow Milk, Red Pearl, Yellow Pearl, Pink Cooperative 906, Qinzu Shanghai 903, and Scarlet cultivars significantly increased, while the other five cultivars significantly decreased under NaCl treatment compared to control.It is concluded that NaCl stress significantly affects the vegetative growth of tomato cultivars under in vitro culture.

The biological synthesis of nanomaterials is drawing immense interest because of their non-hazardous nature and enormous antimicrobial application. In the present study, we explored Polygonatum geminiflorum Decne for phytochemical profiling and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles to control soft rot/blackleg and bacterial wilt pathogens of potato through in vitro experiment. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of important secondary chemicals including tannins, glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids, while, gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) study of leaf extract showed the presence of 30 phytochemicals, the most prominent among which included & ccedil;- Sitosterol and n-Hexadecanoic acid. The GC-MS qualitative analysis also supported the presence of bioactive compounds responsible for metal reduction processes and synthesized nanoparticles stabilization. In vitro study showed that concentration of 100 mu g/mL of AgNPs and AgNPs-PE efficiently control both Erwinia carotovora and Ralstonia solanacearum . The outcomes have provided an improved protocol to use prepared AgNPs against the tested pathogens without health hazards.

Abiotic stress, especially salinization, is considered a major soil problem in arid and semiarid regions. To combat salinization, halophytes such as date palms are grown in these areas. However, less information is available on the morphological and biochemical responses of different date palm cultivars under high salinity. In this regard, eight cultivars of date palm were selected and treated with different salinity levels to check the adaptive capabilities of these cultivars against salt stress in terms of morphological and biochemical attributes. The objective of the current study was to screen these cultivars for tolerance or susceptibility to salt stress (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl). The results of the morphological parameters revealed the negative impact of salt stress on the morphology. Higher concentrations of salt reduced the plant height (Haleemi, Dahakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, and Hamanwali), the number of leaves (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Gajjar),leaf length (Haleemi, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Hamanwali), leaf width (Sanduri), leaf area (Haleemi, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, and Hamanwali), fresh weight (Halimi, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, and Tarwali), dry weight % (Halimi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar) and root length (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, and Gajjar) in most of the cultivars. Generally, it was observed that leaf tissues showed a significant ( p <= 0.05) increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities with the increasing salt concentrations. Current analysis showed that salinity significantly ( p <= 0.05) decreased the accumulation of total phenolic contents (TPC) in the leaf tissues of Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar. However, a reduction in the carotenoid contents in cultivars (Haleemi, Basrawali, Dhakki, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar) was noted with an increase in the salt concentration. Salt stress significantly reduced the anthocyanin contents in some cultivars (Haleemi, Basrawali, Sanduri, Saghoi, Tarwali, Hamanwali, and Gajjar). This species is highly adapted to salt stress conditions by the evolution of an osmoregulation mechanism. These results suggest that although date palm is tolerant of high salinity, there is variation in tolerance among different cultivars. Based on the recorded parameters, it is concluded that Saghoi was the most salt -tolerant cultivar out of the test ones, followed by Sanduri, Tarwali, and Hamanwali, respectively.

The current study concentrated on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a direct injection diesel engine. The experiments were carried out on single cylinder Kirloskar make TV-1 diesel engine test-rig. The blends were made using equal parts of Karanja biodiesel (Pongamia pinnata) and 1-butanol with plain diesel. For the experiment, five mixes were investigated at constant speed of 1500 rpm and varying loading condition from no load to full load in 25 % steps. The properties of the mixtures considered are within the permissible ASTM limits. The study revealed that performance characteristics such as brake thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency are observed highest for D80K10B10 blend at 100 % BP and BSEC at 25 % BP for D80K20 blend. No appreciable variations are observed in volumetric efficiencies and concentration of 1-Butanol showed greater reduction in EGT amongst others. Highest CO emission reduction to 53 % whereas 31 % CO2 increases and HC, and NOx emissions are observed marginally increased. Long term test and energy-exergy analysis should be required to get more in insights from the research.

In this study a coupled-eulerian–lagrangian (CEL) approach has been applied to assess the internal blast loading conditions, for the tunnel built in three layers of sandstone rock. The three weathered stages of sandstone have been considered in this study i.e., slightly, medium and also highly weathered sandstone in three different layers. The sandstone rock weathering increases as we move towards the ground surface from deep subsurface. The elastoplastic finite element model with varied overburden depth with dimensions of 60 m (L × B × H) each to incorporate different parametric cases. An explosive is assumed at the center of the tunnel, with the capacity of hundred kg of trinitrotoluene (TNT), the explosive is assumed to be hanging in the air inside the tunnel opening with equal distance from all sides. The TNT sphere and air that is inside the rock tunnel has been modelled through CEL technique to simulate actual in-situ condition. Through Mohr-Coulomb, Concrete Damage Plasticity, and Johnson-Cook constructive material model the elastoplastic behaviour of different materials like rock, steel bars and concrete has been simulated respectively. The cage of steel bars has been embedded through interaction constraint in concrete liner to produce reinforced concrete liner. In the initial stages of simulation with 5 m of overburden depth the tunnel has been placed in the upper layer of sandstone. For further analysis, the position of the tunnel has been changed for overburden depth of fifteen, twenty-five and thirty-five meter. In accordance with the result of the simulation, for rock in terms of acceleration, velocity, and dis-placement, the depth of the overburden and the displacement of the crown are inversely related. No damage in terms of compression is seen in this simulation, but in all instances, a small damage owing to tensile failure has been noted.