Comparative Studies on Effectiveness of Physical, Micronutrients, PGR and Botanical Seed Treatments on Growth and Yield of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

The experiment was carried out at a field experimentation centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). During Rabi season 2020-2021, to find out the suitable Physical, Micronutrients, PGR and Botanical seed treatments on growth and yield of Fenugreek (LFC-84). Different concentrations with different duration of seed treatments with control (untreated) were evaluated by screening 8 hours viz., Electric treatment (0.5A for 60 seconds and 1.0A for 60 seconds), Magnetic treatment (10mT for 15 min and 20 mT for 30 min), ZnSO4 (1% and 3% for 8 hrs), MnSO4 (1% and 3% for 8 hrs) Ascorbic acid (100 ppm and 300 ppm for 8 hrs), Moringa leaf extract (1% and 3% for 8 hrs). It has been reported that among all the treatments T6 - ZnSO4 -3% for 8 hrs has performed the best results in field parameters like Plant height, number of branches per plant, days required to 50% flowering, days required to 50% pod formation, days to maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield per plant (g), test weight (g), dry weight of plant (g), harvest Index (%) followed by Ascorbic acid 300 ppm for 8 hours and found to be lowest in control seeds. Hence seed treatment of Fenugreek seeds with ZnSO4 – 3% is the best treatment compared to other seed treatments.

Electric Stimulation of Astaxanthin Biosynthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis

The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis accumulates astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant pigment, as a defense mechanism against environmental stresses. In this study, we investigated the technical feasibility of a stress-based method for inducing astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis using electric stimulation in a two-chamber bioelectrochemical system. When a cathodic (reduction) current of 3 mA (voltage: 2 V) was applied to H. pluvialis cells for two days, considerable lysis and breakage of algal cells were observed, possibly owing to the formation of excess reactive oxygen species at the cathode. Conversely, in the absence of cell breakage, the application of anodic (oxidation) current effectively stimulated astaxanthin biosynthesis at a voltage range of 2–6 V, whereas the same could not be induced in the untreated control. At an optimal voltage of 4 V (anodic current: 30 mA), the astaxanthin content in the cells electro-treated for 2 h was 36.9% higher than that in untreated cells. Our findings suggest that electric treatment can be used to improve astaxanthin production in H. pluvialis culture if bioelectrochemical parameters, such as electric strength and duration, are regulated properly.

Surface Friction-Electric Treatment of Aluminum Alloys

This paper examines a combined friction-electric treatment of surface layers of machine parts made of aluminums alloys. The temperature released during the friction process is the main technological factor of the treatment, and the heat released during the passage of electric current through the local volume of friction-thermal action is an additional heat source. The paper presents the results of studying a surface modification method involving friction-electric treatment of aluminium alloys with reinforcement by aluminium oxide particles under varied technological conditions: density of electric current, pressing force of the tool, shape of the tool working zone and speed of treatment. A hard alloy tool with high temperature resistance was used as a tool for friction-electric treatment. The tool was installed in a mandrel of a special design allowing supply of a modifier representing a mixture of aluminum oxide particles with a surfactant to the treatment zone. Using the friction-electric treatment of the surface layer of samples with reinforcement by aluminum oxide particles it was possible to increase the surface hardness by about 30–40 % and thickness of the hardened layer by 3–5 times due to the local deformation and passage of electric current through the treatment zone, and to improve wear resistance of the surface layer.

Study of the Processes of Electroosmotic Cleaning of Soils from Oil Pollution on a Three-dimensional Physical Model

The methods and results of laboratory modeling of processes in clay soils contaminated with oily substances are reviewed: on samples, on one-dimensional and three-dimensional physical models. Laboratory facili- ties, the procedure for conducting experiments and processing their results are described. The possibility of a point and integral forecast of the degree of soil contamination by the results of measurements of its electrical re- sistance is confirmed. The dynamics of changes in porosity, humidity, and particle size distribution of oil-contaminated soils during electric treatment as a result of thermal and osmotic effects by comparing direct measure- ment data and electrophysical monitoring using a system of micro-sensors was revealed. A comparison of the results of the electric treatment of clean soil, contaminated with liquid and viscous oil products is given.

Edgar Adrian (1889–1977) and Shell Shock Electrotherapy: A Forgotten History?

The English electrophysiologist Edgar Adrian (1889–1977) was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for physiology in 1932 for his research on the functions of neurons. During World War I, at Queen Square in London, he devised an intensive electrotherapeutic treatment for shell-shocked soldiers. The procedure, developed with Lewis Yealland (1884–1954), was similar to “torpillage,” the faradic psychotherapy used in France. Adrian and Yealland considered that the pain accompanying the use of faradic current was necessary for both therapeutic and disciplinary reasons, especially because of the suspicion of malingering. According to Adrian, this controversial electric treatment was only able to remove motor or sensitive symptoms. After the war, he finally admitted that war hysteria was a complex and difficult phenomenon.