The low V-notch impact toughness is a notable limitation of the PBT/PA6 blend. In this study, we maintained a fixed PBT/PA6 ratio of 50/50 while varying the proportion of PP in the given blend at levels of 0%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% neat PP. The results from the unnotched impact toughness tests for the PP/PBT/PA6 blends showed favorable outcomes. Specifically, the impact toughness of the PP/PBT/PA6 samples progressively increased with the rise in PP content. Initially, the toughness dropped from 10.13 kJ/m² in the 0% PP sample to 8.6 kJ/m² in the 70% PP sample, before increasing gradually from 8.6 kJ/m² in the 70% PP sample to 17.45 kJ/m² in the 90% PP sample to 17.45 kJ/m² in the 90% PP sample, which represents an increase of about 72% relative to the 0% PP sample. These positive results demonstrate that the addition of PP significantly enhances the impact toughness of the blend compared to formulations without PP.

By carrying out a laboratory experiment, the influence of priming methods, including ZnSO4, BSN, and hydropriming was evaluated on the seed germination of hybrid AS71 corn. Then, the main and interaction effects of the priming methods, planting dates, and weed interference levels were surveyed on the vegetative growth traits, yield, and yield components of corn in a field experiment. Based on the lab experiment, although the maximum germination percentage (100%) was observed in the treated plots by hydropriming 22 h after treatment (HAT), the greatest seedling vigor index (122.99) was recorded with treated seeds by ZnSO4 (0.03 mg L–1) at 8 HAT. The greatest emergence index was observed in the treated plots by hydropriming on both planting dates of June 1 and 11. The interaction of planting dates and weed interference levels revealed that the highest emergence index (14%–17%) occurred in the weed-free plots on both planting dates. BSN recorded the greatest corn 1000-grain weight that was significantly higher than the control plots by 28%. Furthermore, BSN enhanced the corn grain yield compared with the control plots by 63% and 24.9% on the planting dates of June 1 and 11, respectively. BSN, as a nutri-priming approach, by displaying the highest positive effects in boosting the corn grain yield in both weedy and weed-free plots as well as both planting dates, could be a recommendable option for growers to improve the crop yield production.

The study evaluated 33 accessions of groundnut in the field, consisting of 23 landraces from Nasarawa communities in Nigeria and 10 inbred lines. Assessment entailed the determination of plant survivorship, yield related parameters and pathological indices while genetic diversity study was undertaken using SSR and RAPD molecular markers. Data analysis was done on the Minitab 17.0 software. Significant variability was noted in all traits except in pod sizes, seed sizes and % infected seeds. About 33.3% of the accessions had a survival rate of ≥ 70.0% where 9/10 Inbred lines were found with overall yield (kg/ha) ranging from 4.0 ± 1.6 in Akwashiki-Doma to 516.8 ± 46.9 kg/ha in Samnut 24 × ICGV–91328. Five accessions (15.5%) had pathological indices of zero indicating no traces of any disease of any type and they included one landrace called Agric-Dazhogwa and four Inbred lines: Samnut 25 × ICGV–91317, Samnut 26 × ICGV–19324, Samnut 26 × ICGV–91328 and Samnut 26 × ICGV–91319. Coefficients of yield determination R2 by survivorship and pathological index were 50.6% and 15%, respectively. A fit model was established (Yield in kg/ha = –146 − 7.94 × Pi + 5.88 × S). Susceptibility to diseases depends on the type of variety (χ2(32) = 127.67, P = 0.00). Yield was significantly affected by BNR@30 (F = 5.47, P = 0.025, P < 0.05) and DSV@60*RUST@60 interaction effect (F = 4.39, P = 0.044, P < 0.05). The similarity coefficient ranged from 28.57 to 100 in plant morphology. Four varieties had no amplified bands with SSR primers whereas amplified bands were present only in four landraces accessions using the RAPD primer. The dendrogram generated by molecular data gave three groups where genetic similarity ranged from 41.4 to 100.0. The Inbred lines were noted for their high survivorship, good yield and disease resistance. Samnut 24 × ICGV–91328, an inbred line, had the highest yield but was susceptible to diseases. Among the landraces, Agric-Musha, Bomboyi-Dugu and Agric-Dazhogwa were selected for high survivorship and disease resistance. The selected inbred lines and landraces are valuable genetic resources that may harbour useful traits for breeding and they should be presented to the growers based on their unique agronomic values. The highest yielding inbred lines should be improved for resistance to late leaf spot diseases while the outstanding landraces should be improved for yield.

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of psychoenergetic energy in litchi as positive and negative thoughts using a simple meditation technique at ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur. The plant produced 24.75 g of fruit given positive energy, while the plant with negative thought energy produced 22.12 g of fruit. The fruit and seed weight increased by 11.88% and 13.63%, respectively, due to positive energy. The number of fruit retentions increased by 23.77% due to positive energy. Anthocyanin content in pericarp was increased by 5.45% in plants given positive energy. Fruit qualities were also significantly affected by psychoenergy. TSS (Brix) was significantly increased by 13.54% in plants given positive energy as compared to negative energy, and titratable acidity was reduced by 25% due to positive energy. Ascorbic acid was also increased by 30% in plant given positive thoughts. Sun burn was reduced by 54.76% and fruit cracking by 63.64% due to energy of thought. Fruit borer infestation was reduced by 70%, and mite infestation was reduced by 90% in plants given positive energy. The psychoenergetic potential is vast, and its ability to improve crop yield and quality cannot be overstated. The hidden power of thought is being practiced by all, but mostly people do not know this power and use it in an improper manner. This is a high time when we need to practice generating powerful thoughts to change present-day agriculture and its dependents.

Proposed herein is an environment-friendly method to realize oil/water separation. Nylon mesh is exposed to atmospheric pressure plasma for surface modification, by which micro/nano structures and oxygen-containing groups are created on nylon fibers. Consequently, the functionalized mesh possesses superhydrophilicity in air and thus superoleophobicity underwater. The water pre-wetted mesh is then used to separate oil/water mixtures with the separation efficiency above 97.5% for various oil/water mixtures. Results also demonstrate that the functionalized nylon mesh has excellent recyclability and durability in terms of oil/water separation. Additionally, polyurethane sponge slice and polyester fabric are also functionalized and employed to separate oil/water mixtures efficiently, demonstrating the wide suitability of this method. This simple, green and highly efficient method overcomes a nontrivial hurdle for environmentally-safe separation of oil/water mixtures, and offers insights into the design of advanced materials for practical oil/water separation.

Heat transfer fluids (HTFs) are critical in numerous industrial processes (e.g., the chemical industry, oil and gas, and renewable energy), enabling efficient heat exchange and precise temperature control. HTF degradation, primarily due to thermal cracking and oxidation, negatively impacts system performance, reduces fluid lifespan, and increases operational costs associated with correcting resulting issues. Regular monitoring and testing of fluid properties can help mitigate these effects and provide insights into the health of both the fluid and the system. To date, there is no extensive literature published on this topic, and the current narrative review was designed to address this gap. This review outlines the typical operating temperature ranges for industrial heat transfer fluids (i.e., steam, organic, synthetic, and molten salts) and then focuses specifically on organic and synthetic fluids used in industrial applications. It also outlines the mechanisms of fluid degradation and the impact of fluid type and condition. Other topics covered include the importance of fluid sampling and analysis, the parameters used to assess the extent of thermal degradation, and the management strategies that can be considered to help sustain fluid and system health. Operating temperature, system design, and fluid health play a significant role in the extent of thermal degradation, and regular monitoring of fluid properties, such as viscosity, acidity, and flash point, is crucial in detecting changes in condition (both early and ongoing) and providing a basis for decisions and interventions needed to mitigate or even reverse these effects. This includes, for example, selecting the right HTF for the specific application and operating temperature. This article concludes that by understanding the mechanisms of thermal degradation and implementing appropriate management strategies, it is possible to sustain the lifespan of thermal fluids and systems, ensure safe operation, and help minimise operational expenditure.