Influence of Electromagnetic Stimulation of Seeds on the Photosynthetic Indicators in Medicago sativa L. Leaves at Various Stages of Development

The paper explores the impact of electromagnetic stimulation of Ulstar alfalfa seeds on fresh mass yield, the quantum efficiency of the plants’ photochemical reactions, and the content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves. Before sowing, seeds were subjected to electromagnetic stimulation in the following configurations: control (C), no stimulation; stimulation with He–Ne laser light with the wavelength of 632.8 nm, surface power density of 3 mW·cm−2 and exposition time of 1 min (L1) or 5 min (L5); stimulation with alternating magnetic field with the induction of 30 mT and exposition time of 1 min (F1) or 5 min (F5). It was established that the variability of alfalfa yields at the onset of anthesis was dependent on weather conditions as well as, above all, on the electromagnetic stimulation employed. At the same time, the values of fresh mass yield of alfalfa and photosynthetic efficiency were higher in the first year of cultivation (2014) compared to the last year (2016). In terms of photosynthetic efficiency, the best results were observed for L1 and F5, respectively: 0.801 and 0.800. The significantly highest values in terms of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid content were observed in 2014 at the onset of budding in the combination involving alternating magnetic field stimulation (F5), and were, respectively, 30%, 28% and 73% relative to the control.

Protection against corrosion by molten salts through aluminum coatings deposited by arc thermal spray on ASTM A53 grade B steel

ASTM A53 steel samples were coated with aluminium by EATS, they report continuity and adherence. Thermal treatment improved their performance against corrosion, because the aluminium inter-diffusions are produced from coating into substrate and iron from substrate into coating. Samples were subjected to molten salts corrosion (20 % Na2SO4 and 80 % V2O5) at range of (400–600)° C. Samples were characterized by SEM-EDS and the morphology of layers were studied, noting good protection of layer deposited and the degradation of coating happened at above fusion temperatures of salts, besides the corrosion rate increases with temperature and decreases with exposition time.

Perfume Encapsulation via Vapor Induced Phase Separation

In this study we explored the implementation of the vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) to produce cellulose acetate microcapsules for the encapsulation of a complex mix of fragrances. VIPS is a technique used for membrane preparation, but barely mentioned for microencapsulation. We compared the products from VIPS and a more common microencapsulation process, the immersion precipitation technique (IPS). The capsules prepared via VIPS show a core-shell structure with a thin polymeric shell surrounding the internally empty space, conversely to those produced via IPS, showing an incomplete spherical morphology. This can be attributed to a better control of the precipitation rate of the encapsulation material in the non-solvent thanks to the longer exposition time to the vapor. The activity and encapsulation efficiency of the capsules, obtained through TGA analysis, reached a maximum of ≈75% and ≈90%, respectively. Moreover, a growing trend between the initial active concentration and the encapsulation efficiency is noticed.

УГРУПОВАННЯ ПІДСТИЛКОВИХ НЕМАТОД ЛІСІВ МЕЗИНСЬКОГО НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ

The taxonomic structure of the nematodes and the thickness in the forest litter of the Mezin National Nature Park were studied. Samples were collected during 2008-2010 and 2014 (June – July) in 21 forest ecosystems. Nematodes were extracted by a modified Baermann's method from the sample of 5 g. The exposition time was 48 h. Extracted nematodes were fixed in the triethanolamine–formalin (TAF, 2 % triethanolamine, 7 % formaldehyde solution, 91 % water), and mounted on the temporary hydroglyceric slides. To describe the taxonomic structure of nematode communities we calculated the proportion of each order (family) in the community as the ratio (in %) of the individuals of each order (family) to the total number of nematodes. 46 nematode species belonging to 36 genera, 21 families and 10 orders were identified. The average number of nematodes was 4256 per 100 g of substrate. The number of nematodes varied from 220 to 11920 specimens per 100 g in separate samples. Most of the identified species (78.26 %) belong to the four orders: Tylenchida (10 species), Plectida (9 species), Rhabditida (9 species), Dorylaimida (8 species) or 21.74 %, 19.57 %, 19.57 % and 17.39 % of the species composition, respectively. The orders of Enoplida, Triplonchida, Araeolaimida, Mononchida, Monhysterida and Teratocephalida are represented by 1 to 2 species (4.35 – 2.17 % of the total number of identified species). In terms of quantitative representation, species of Plectida are dominant (proportion in the community 43.15 %). This proportion was 2.5 times higher than the number of representatives of Tylenchida (17.07 %), Dorylaimida (17.01 %) and Rhabditida (16.44 %). Comparatively, the largest number of species found belong to the families Plectidae (9 species), Cephalobidae (6 species), and Tylenchidae (5 species). Only six nematode families were represented in the forest litter samples, namely: Plectidae (with proportion in the community 43.15 %), Dorylaimidae (with proportion in the community 13.74 %), Aphelenchoididae (with 8.99 %), Panagrolaimidae (with 8.17 %), Tylenchidae (with 5.90 %), Mesorhabditidae (with 5.48 %).

Effect of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on Biogas Production from Rice Straw

The effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on biogas production from rice straw was investigated. Results showed that the application of 37 and 102 kHz resulted in a reduction of hemicellulose about 25.78% and 20.82%, respectively. An increase in the power level and exposition time decreased the hemicellulose content. The biochemical methane potential values at 37 kHz and 102 kHz of the pretreated rice straw for a period of 45 days were 250.36 and 243.79 mL CH4 g VS-1added, which were about 21.95% and 18.75% increase compared to the unpretreated one, respectively. The pretreatment with 37 kHz has provided a better methane yield compared to the one with 102 kHz. Response surface methodology indicated a positive result toward the methane yield and production rate. The utilization of ultrasonic pretreatment toward rice straw for biogas production seems to provide a solution to help solving the problems of both agricultural waste and renewable energy.

Application of thermal analysis for the evaluation of mineral solution penetration into wood

Interaction of mineral solutions with solid wood leads to saturation of the wood matrix, then to the deposition of mineral particles and eventually to reaction with wood components. In this way a partially or fully mineralized wood occurs in natural or artificial conditions, whose physical-mechanical properties are influenced by the retention and by the character of the solution. Targeted application of organosilanes is based on a similar principle that reduces the intake of liquid water and thus leads to an increase in durability, however, it also causes wood corrosion and consequent decrease in mechanical parameters. In this study, penetration of commercial organosilanes-based product Lukofob 39 into solid wood was described in order to determine the extent of the mineralized part into which the solution penetrated. In this case, characteristic mineral deposits are formed in the wood matrix and its quantification by thermal analysis can be advantageously used to describe the penetration of the solution. Based on the analyses of specific samples taken from primary specimens with different exposure times in the solution, it can be stated that with the increasing exposition time the penetration depth of the solution as well as the amount of mineral deposits increase. The shifts on the thermal analysis curves also show the corrosion effects of Lukofob 39 on the basic components of wood.

Bronchoprotective effect of Zingiber officinale roscoe (Ginger) in guinea pigs

Background: To evaluate the bronchoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale (AZO) in guinea pigs and compare the same with that of standard drugs.Methods: Guinea pigs of either sex weighing between 350 to 450 Grams were randomly divided into 13 groups, each group containing 6 animals. Bronchospasm was induced by placing guinea pigs in histamine exposition chamber and exposing them to either 0.25% of histamine acid phosphate or 10% acetyl choline through a nebuliser under 40mm Hg pressure. The time for development of asphyxia was noted. After two and half hours, the animals were administered orally with vehicle / drugs as per the following: Gr I- Normal saline 1ml/100 Grams, Gr II- Salbutamol 1.6mg/kg, Gr III- Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.8mg/kg, Gr IV to Gr VI- AZO 200, 400, and 800mg/kg, Gr VII- AZO 200mg/kg and Salbutamol 0.8mg/kg. For acetylcholine-induced Bronchospasm Gr III animals received atropine 2mg/kg and Gr VII was not taken, rest others remaining the same. After 1 hour of treatment, the animals were again exposed to histamine or acetyl choline aerosol. The exposition time for each animal was again noted and mean increase or decrease in exposition time were noted. The data were subjected to stastical analysis by using paired ‘t’ test. Percentage of protection was also calculated.Results: AZO at all the doses studied (except 200mg/kg), showed highly significant increase in exposition time against histamine-induced bronchospasm. Combination of AZO (200mg/kg) with salbutamol (0.8mg/kg) also produced augmented effect. But against Acetylcholine induced bronchospasm, AZO did not produce any significant protective effect at any of the doses.Conclusions: AZO produced significant dose dependant bronchoprotection against histamine induced bronchospasm which might be due to antihistaminic action.

Art installation from glass and steel with elements of museum collection for exposition of State literary museum of Yanka Kupala

Статья посвящена инсталляции «Путь поэта», выполненной авторами для Государственного литературного музея Янки Купалы (Минск, Беларусь) в 2014 году. Это произведение современного искусства, репрезентирующее последние минуты жизни Народного поэта БССР Янки Купалы. В то же время оно представляет собой фрагмент музейной экспозиции, посвященный трагическому окончанию жизненного пути поэта, и включает в себя реальные экспонаты из музейной коллекции, имеющие отношение к смерти Купалы. Остальные составляющие инсталляции – сталь, стекло, звук и направленный электрический свет. Инсталляция должна была стать не только драматическим контрапунктом экспозиционного тайм-лайна, но также и послужить прозаичным оборудованием для демонстрации музейных предметов. В результате длительной работы над эскизами выкристаллизовалась вертикальная композиция объекта, напоминающего лестницу и составленного из стеклянных листов-ступеней, которая и была, в итоге, воплощена. В статье раскрывается концепция произведения, его привязка к конкретным историческим событиям, а также особенности образно-художественного решения. Особое внимание уделено специфике использования стекла в качестве основного материала инсталляции. The paper is devoted to the art installation «Way of Poet» created by the authors for the State Literary Museum of Yanka Kupala (Minsk, Belarus) in 2014. It is a work of contemporary art that represents the very last moments of life of People's poet of the Byelorussian SSR Yanka Kupala. At the same time, it is a fragment of the Museum exposition dedicated to the tragic end of the Poet's life, and includes the real exhibits related to the death of Kupala from the Museum collection. Other components of the installation are steel, glass, sound and spotted electric light. Yanka Kupala (1882 – 1942) was the classic writer of Belarusian and world literature, one of the founders of modern Belarusian literature and literary Belarusian language, the spiritual and moral leader of national rebirth in Belarus. On 28 June 1942 he tragically died in unexplained circumstances, having fallen into the staircase opening at the 10th floor of the hotel «Moscow» in Moscow. The installation is not only a dramatic counterpoint of the exposition time-line, but it also serves as prosaic equipment for demonstrating the Museum’s items. As a result of long work on the sketches, the vertical composition of the object was invented and embodied. It resembles a stairway that composed of glass sheets-steps. The paper reveals the concept of the work, its connection to specific historical events, as well as its original artistic features. Particular attention is paid to the specific use of glass as the main material of the installation.

Omissions in the disinfection of a craft-slaughterhouse

The aim of this study was to establish the difference in the total number of bacteria present on some surfaces after disinfection was performed either by a professional or a layman employed at the slaughterhouse. Based upon the obtained results it can be concluded that there were omissions in the disinfection procedure. The study material consisted of wet and dry swabs taken during a five week period, before and after disinfection was performed either by a professional or a laymen. The following surfaces were sampled: meat carving knife, meat hooks, floor of the stunning area, and corridor floor. The procedure for wet swabs was carried out in accordance with the standard ISO 18593 method. The number of bacteria was estimated from each sample with the standard ISO 4833 method. Disinfection was performed with a 0.02% chlorine solution; the exposition time was 30 min. According to the obtained results it can be concluded that after disinfection was carried out by a professional- veterinarian, or by a layman, all surfaces which were previously treated correctly (mechanical cleaning and sanitary washing), and disinfected measured a significant decrease in the number of total bacteria (log cfu/cm2). The results for the total number of bacteria obtained after disinfection of the stunt area indicate on possible omissions as the number of bacteria did not decrease.