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Main conclusion There is an urgent need for sustainable agriculture. Non-thermal plasma seed treatment offers a promising alternative by enhancing germination, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance, and reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. There is an urgent need to transform agricultural practices to meet the challenges of sustainable food production amidst global population growth and environmental degradation. Traditional crop production methods heavily rely on pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which pose significant risks to human health, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to environmental pollution. Moreover, these methods are increasingly unsustainable due to rising costs and diminishing effectiveness, evolving pest resistance, and climate change impacts. Recently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has emerged as a promising alternative for seed treatment in agriculture. NTP uses low-temperature plasma to modify seed surfaces, enhancing germination, vigor, and overall plant growth. Studies have demonstrated that NTP treatment improves nutrient uptake, increases disease resistance, and reduces the reliance on chemical inputs (pesticides and fertilizers), thereby promoting pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture. This paper explores recent research advancements in NTP seed treatment and its potential applications in sustainable agriculture. By exploring the mechanisms underlying the NTP effects on seed physiology, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how this technology can contribute to sustainable crop production. Furthermore, the paper discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges associated with the potential large-scale use of low-temperature plasmas in agriculture, aiming to accelerate the adoption of NTP and its commercialization in the agro-food industries. Overall, the goal of this paper is to highlight the transformative potential of NTP seed treatment in achieving healthier crop production that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and capable of meeting the food demands of a growing global population.

The manuscript is focused on the equivalent load circuit physics for the switching performance of the 35 kV/1–8 kA sealed-off high current hot cathode plasma switch developed for the fast pulsed power applications in the recent scientific and industrial field. In this paper, physical interpretation of the equivalent circuit and the method to reduce the load inductance in the discharge path have been discussed, which are essential to achieve the high peak discharge current with lesser reverse current during the switching operation. Further, low inductive coaxial load circuit analysis has been done and almost ~ 50% reduction in the load inductance is estimated. Consequently, the discharge circuit arrangement has helped to increase the peak current by ~ 10% and also reduce the reverse current by ~ 50%. This low inductive coaxial load has been used to draw the maximum discharge peak current of ~ 8 kA at ~ 33 kV applied voltage during switching. For this, the cathode and reservoir supply currents was optimized ~ 17.5 A and ~ 5.5 A, respectively. This analysis would be very much useful for the design and development of high-power hot cathode plasma switch (Thyratron) with low reverse current for fast pulsed power applications.

The manuscript is focused on the equivalent load circuit physics for the switching performance of the 35 kV/1–8 kA sealed-off high current hot cathode plasma switch developed for the fast pulsed power applications in the recent scientific and industrial field. In this paper, physical interpretation of the equivalent circuit and the method to reduce the load inductance in the discharge path have been discussed, which are essential to achieve the high peak discharge current with lesser reverse current during the switching operation. Further, low inductive coaxial load circuit analysis has been done and almost ~ 50% reduction in the load inductance is estimated. Consequently, the discharge circuit arrangement has helped to increase the peak current by ~ 10% and also reduce the reverse current by ~ 50%. This low inductive coaxial load has been used to draw the maximum discharge peak current of ~ 8 kA at ~ 33 kV applied voltage during switching. For this, the cathode and reservoir supply currents was optimized ~ 17.5 A and ~ 5.5 A, respectively. This analysis would be very much useful for the design and development of high-power hot cathode plasma switch (Thyratron) with low reverse current for fast pulsed power applications.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum microangiopathies are rare but are associated with high maternal and fetal mortality requiring early diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve the outcome. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aims to assess the efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) therapy in postpartum thrombotic microangiopathies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did retrospective analysis of all plasma exchange procedures performed in patients of postpartum thrombotic microangiopathies over a period of 1 year (2015-2016). Patient's pre- and post-plasma exchange hematological and biochemical parameters were recorded and compared for analyzing the response to the therapy. Patients were followed telephonically even after their discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: Hematological and renal profile improved in 8 out of 9 patients after PE therapy. Survival after PE therapy was 40% in post partum atypical HUS and 75% in patients with HELLP syndrome at 4 months of follow up. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of PE therapy in postpartum thrombotic microangiopathies can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with them.

ObjectiveTo assess the safety of centrifugal therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in pediatric patients.MethodsThe authors did a retrospective analysis of all TPE procedures performed in pediatric patients over a period of 19 y (2001–2019). Procedures were done on different apheretic devices, daily or on alternate days depending on the clinical condition of the patient. Adverse events during the procedure were noted and analyzed.ResultsA total of 672 TPE (with mean of 6.77 ± 4.85) procedures were performed for 99 pediatric patients with different indications like hematological (n = 68), renal (n = 12), neurology (n = 18) and hepatology (n = 1). The mean age was 7.00 ± 3.11 y and weight was 20.72 ± 9.17 kg. Adverse events (AEs) were observed during 34 (5%) procedures, most common were allergic reactions to replacement fluid (2.24%) followed by hypotension (1.04%), symptomatic hypocalcemia (1.04%), line occlusion (0.59%), and febrile non hemolytic transfusion reaction (0.41%). A significant correlation of AEs was observed with weight (p = 0.045), total blood volume of the patient (p = 0.04), increasing number of procedures (p = 0.000) and replacement fluid [Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)] (p = 0.04). All AEs were managed as per departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) completing procedures successfully except one which was abandoned. No mortality was observed during the procedures.ConclusionTPE is a safe therapeutic modality in pediatric patients when performed under expert technical supervision with proper SOPs in place.