A Tridimensional CFD Analysis of the Oil Pump of an High Performance Motorbike Engine

Abstract The main target of nowadays engine designers is to focus on exhaust emissions, fuel consumption and engine performance, so during the design phase of a new internal combustion engine, all the aspects related to friction and mechanical power loss must be deeply considered. And then, also the friction related to engine lubrication system must be analyzed and studied. In this paper a tridimensional CFD analysis of the lubrication circuit oil pump of a modern high-performance engine manufactured by Aprilia will be shown. The model was build up with PumpLinx®, a commercial CFD 3D code by Simerics Inc.®, taking into account all the phenomena associated to the fluid cavitation. The model was validated by data of an experimental campaign performed on a hydraulic test bench, at the Industrial Engineering Department of the University of Naples, Federico II

Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl