RANDOM WALKS IN SOLITUDE ESSAYS IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATIONS IN SCIENCE
ANIL VISHNU MOHARIR
WITH FOREWORD FROM
DR. Y. L. NENE CHAIRMAN ASIAN AGRI-HISTORY FOUNDATION SECUNDERABAD, A.P.
A-408, VASUNDHARA APARTMENTS, SECTOR-6, PLOT-16, DWARKA, NEW DELHI-110075
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RANDOM WALKS IN SOLITUDE ESSAYS IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATIONS IN SCIENCE
7Anil Vishnu Moharir ISBN 978-93-5137-154-0 Published 2013
A-408, VASUNDHARA APARTMENTS, SECTOR-6, PLOT-16, DWARKA, NEW DELHI-110075
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DEDICATION To My Mother Who taught me to love storms in life And tame those in the mind
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ASIAN AGRI-HISTORY FOUNDATION (AAHF) Tel : +91 (40) 27755774 Fax : +91(40)27750630 E-mail:
[email protected] 47 ICRISAT Colony-1 Brig. Sayeed Road Secunderabad 500 009 India
12 September 2013
Foreword It is the scientific truth that the entire universe is filled with only matter and energy and all creations in this universe are nothing but the interplay of matter and energies of various kinds governed by Albert Einstein’s famous equation of mass-energy equivalence. However, it is still not resolved if consciousness constitutes a separate force attribute of living matter or is simply an additional extended or combined manifestation of any one of the four forces of nature, namely; weak interaction, strong interaction, electromagnetic and gravitation, since the “Modern Theory of Atomic Structure’ attempts to foresee a common origin for all the four forces of nature. Whatever may be the fact, one thing is certainly clear that physical forces and physical laws constitute the undercurrent of all scientific or social disciplines and understanding about nature- The compendium book- ‘Random Walks in SolitudeEssays in Multidisciplinary Explorations in Science’ by Professor Anil Vishnu Moharir is an exposition of this reality in nature, explored through a series of articles on various topics, published over the years. The integrated universal continuum of knowledge has been beautifully summarized by the author in two of his articles; ‘Form of motion of matter-Foundation of quality higher education’ and ‘through the apparent nature- a random walk in solitude’, which are included in this book. The author, who is a trained physicist, had a long distinguished career of over thirtyseven years in an institute devoted to agricultural research. And it is a pleasure to see, how a physicist looks to and pursues his problems in his characteristic manner of training, vision and depth as is apparent from almost all the articles; be it on; energy basis in nature; science and spirituality; origin of work, its nature and human obligations; quantum physics and new biology; or on the new theory of cloud formation and global warming. His article on issues about atmospheric and fertilizer nitrogen is unique in that it brings out for the first time in published scientific
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literature, the serious implications of large scale withdrawal of atmospheric nitrogen from the two lowermost layers of Earth’s atmosphere for manufacture of fertilizer urea, ammonia and industrial nitrogen to the tune of over 800 million metric tons annually for environmental degradation and global warming- All these articles have been meticulously written with serious concern for authentic details and exposition of their inter-disciplinary linkages. They have been lucidly presented in easy-tounderstand, semi-popular scientific language. It is believed that the book may not only help graduate and post-graduate students from all disciplines but even a common man interested in scientific developments. So also the administrators in understanding the energy flow in nature from reading the present book. At the same time it may prove to be a sincere guide in training our mind for developing a logical scientific attitude for seeking scientific solutions to problems from a multi-disciplinary angle. The subject topics covered by Professor Moharir in the present compilation are very wide. He gradually builds his presentation from the most elementary concepts and unfolds the dimensions of his interest from the universe to the elementary particles, from spirituality to GOD and from planetary influences on man to their linkages with food nutrition. We are aware that many a phenomena in life still remain beyond scientific experimental exploration and need to be intuitively felt through personal motivation and experiences. No wonder, for any writing on such topic, requires not only wide reading on diverse subjects but an uncanny ability to perceive inter-relationships and connections to bind them together through various disciplinary boundaries. In his attempts to indicate such directive connections for brevity, Professor Moharir at times is left with no option but to use complex long sentences in his characteristic way. Despite these, the articles very comprehensively sustain the curiosity and interest of readers to the end because the author virtually walks his readers along with himself across the panoramic view of nature. I commend Professor Moharir for the initiative and thoughtful consideration in getting his articles complied and published under one title.
(Y L Nene)
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PREFACE Destiny, if there is anything like that in human life, provided me with opportunity to earn my livelihood and work in the National Institute devoted to research in agriculture. As a trained student of physics, I had no reason to foresee an opportunity of this kind for me. Circumstances and the financial constraints encouraged me to accept the challenge and take a plunge in an area for which I had neither a formal training nor knowledge. The fact that everything (from animate to inanimate) in the material world is made up of atoms, the fundamental units of matter, available in a limited number of kinds took all fears from my mind in taking this challenge. According to the laws of physics, the entire universe is nothing but only an Energy-Matter Continuum. Albert Einstein connected energy and matter through his celebrated mathematical equation (E = mC2) and a continual inter-play of energy and matter and their mutual interactions is known to be going on in the universe. It is this knowledge and confidence in my learning as a student of physics, helped me in successfully making a career in the field of agricultural research. After spending nearly four decades in the service of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Popularly known as the Pusa Institute) in New Delhi, I walked out in 2006 on superannuation, as an unusual cast of inter-disciplinary individual. My experience of working with Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopes brought me face to face with biological units called the cells, their organelles, structures, composition, functions and mutual interactions under environmental stimuli, besides other entities such as the plant and insect viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes etc. I began to visualize, imagine, comprehend and correlate the amazingly complex Energy-Matter continuum that exists within the dimensional limits of human knowledge from 10-14 to 10 28 cm. Every thing from the distant cosmos to the elementary particles of matter caught my attention and I began to foster connections and synthesize linkages between apparently unconnected but amazingly interconnected disciplines. I personally feel happy, contented, satisfied and amused to have emerged out of an unusual mould calledThe Indian Agricultural Research Institute, with a rare combination of qualifications, capability, capacity, experience, knowledge and a broad mental canvas with a rare
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privilege to not only understand but to distinctly see and perceive the undercurrent of universal continuum of creation and connectivity through disciplinary boundaries. This could not have been possibly so easy if I had remained confined to my area of training i.e. pure physics. Perhaps, it is this realization, visualization, comprehension and knowledge, as I personally see is imaginatively synonymous to what the ‘Bhagwad Geeta’ describes about the ‘Grand Vision / Vishwa Roop Darshan’ reportedly displayed? No, factually explained by Shri Krishna to Arjuna and nothing more. Shri Krishna was a human being as others but he was thoughtfully knowledgeable about the fundamental realty of the material continuum explained in the ‘Vedas’ which precede his time of existence by at least thousand years. He knew that everything in the material world is created and comes into being from the fundamental units called the ‘Atoms’. All creations (both animate and inanimate) arising from the ‘atoms’ disintegrate into their component atoms over a period of time and under special circumstances and are re-cycled by nature into creating new structures. The factual, physical and philosophical meaning of so called ‘Vishwa Roop Darshan / Grand Vision’ is only meant and restricted to explain this fundamental realty in nature. Writing articles for popularization of science had been a passion with me since my years in school and college, I occasionally contributed such articles during active service. However, I took to popular writing seriously only after retirement from service in 2006. I wrote my articles on diverse subjects with an assumption that my readers are generally knowledgeable about science and scientific research methodology in general and consciously integrated my subject matter into a panoramic view from a multi-disciplinary angle. The purpose of the present book title- ‘Random Walks in Solitude- Essays in Multidisciplinary Explorations in Science’ is to bring a large number of my published articles scattered between a span of couple of years under one cover for the benefit of scientifically oriented enlightened readers and more particularly the young graduate students. These essays have been reproduced as they appeared first in print. Each contribution is independent and reader can read them in what ever sequence he/she likes. References for further reading have been retained for each contribution at the end of the article for the benefit of the readers. It is hoped that this would help them in developing a truly scientific insight and
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comprehensive understanding to evolve their thought process and seek pleasure in understanding their own subjects of interest in a multi-disciplinary way. I am sure, in reading through these articles, my readers would consciously or unconsciously enjoy companionship with me on the ‘random walks’ through apparently unconnected but amazingly inter-connected disciplines. All these articles emphasize the central idea of my life as a Physicist in agricultural research that- “All knowledge is a continuum and we must always take a holistic view of any problem for research in hand from a maximum number of inter-connected subject specialties called, disciplines”. I had been reading the Asian Agri-History journal for years during my active service period and had been following articles and books written by Dr. Y. L. Nene, Chairman of the Asian Agri-History Foundation from Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh on diverse subjects cutting across disciplines, history, culture, agriculture and ancient literature in Sanskrit language and their translations for the present generation. I therefore strongly thought of him as the person to whom I should approach with a request to write a foreword for my book carrying articles on inter- and multidisciplinary subjects. However, slightly apprehensive in my mind, whether such an eminent intellectual giant, so broad on his canvas of inter- and multidisciplinary understanding besides his monumental scientific research contribution as Dr. Y. L. Nene would ever oblige me with his foreword for my book ? Beyond imagination, I am fortunate and grateful to him for so kindly agreeing to do the needful in the very first response he gave to my letter of request. I could not have asked for anything more worthy and precious than the foreword from a person of such eminence as Dr. Y. L. Nene. I am thankful to him for his magnanimous words of appreciation for all my articles included in the present book and I consider my attempt to bring all these articles together under one cover, well rewarded. I hope, readers would also find this book equally illuminating.
New Delhi
Anil Vishnu Moharir
Dated :
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CONTENTS 1.
Science and Spirituality ……………………………………………
2.
Science Spirituality and GOD : An Attempted Syntheses………….
3.
Our Cosmic Relationships, Food Nutrients and Good Health: An Attempted Syntheses …………………………………………...
4.
Physics in Agriculture and Agricultural Physics as Profession (History, Philosophy, Present Status and Future Prospects)………..
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Through the Apparent Nature: A Random Walk in Solitude ………..
6.
Energy Basis in Nature ………………………………………………
7.
Form of Motion of Matter: The Foundation of Quality Higher Education ………………………
8.
Work Its Origin, Law and Ethical Human Obligations …………….
9.
Agricultural Physics and Integrative Biology ……………………..
10. Issues about Atmospheric and Fertilizer Nitrogen, Global Warming and Urgent Priorities ……………………………………………….. 11.
Quantum Physics and New Biology: The Emerging Paradigm Change…
12. A New Theory of Cloud Formation and Climate Change on the Earth … 13. A discussion on the requisites of raw cotton fibre properties for high-speed spinning and practical approach for breeding new varieties with inherent high fibre tenacity. ……………………………… 14. Statement on the Contribution of Dr. A.V. Moharir to Science ………
Page no.s will be given at the moment of final printing.
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1. SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY 1. Dimensions of human knowledge A look at the starry sky in the night should be enough to marvel at the creation of nature. Each tiny sparkling dot is in fact a galaxy of 1 million stars stretching across from its one end to the other by a distance of hundred or thousand light years. This means light at its speed of One lakh Eighty Six Thousand Miles per second (1,86,000 miles/second) will take thousand years to go from one end of the tiny dot to its other end. And there are one million such galaxies in one universe and millions of such universe still beyond. The known portion of the Universe observed through the best of telescopic instruments extends for approximately 1010 light years, or 1028 cm. The smallest known distance from the knowledge of atomic and Elementary particle physics is 10-14 cm. A comparison of the smallest to the greatest distances yields the staggering number 1042 cm. The shortest distance of 10–14 cm is traversed by light at its speed in 10-24 seconds. This is then the smallest time interval and it lies far beyond the limits of all known methods of time measurements. The greatest time interval we know is the “lifetime of the universe’ since its creation from the moment the Big Bang occurred, estimated at 10,000 million and 30,000 million years ago or 1018 seconds. Again a comparison of the smallest and greatest time intervals yields 10 42 seconds. Incidentally, the coincidence of magnitude of time and distance intervals is not accidental or by chance. As we know, the remotest sections of the universe are receding from us at the velocities close to that of light. Electromagnetic energy, predominantly in the form of light connects the two extreme infinities i.e. the infinity of vastness and infinity of minuteness and provides information about the distant worlds. These are the dimensions of human knowledge. There is only matter and energy that fills this vast expanse of the universe and their interplay in between creates material world of various kinds. In probing the universe, man actually probes his own brain and nature of his boldest and craziest theories are determined by his way of thinking. They are mirrors that reflect our capability for knowledge, and Man is indeed born for
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knowledge. This is the meaning and purpose of civilization and he shall never stop in seeking his own reality. It is this pursuit for knowing his place and purpose in the scheme of universal creation with logic and reason based on observed facts, man has invented various branches of sciences to understand the manifestation of nature and their sociological interactions. A Physicist who concerns himself with any event that takes place at various levels in between these limits of infinities is called by various names such as a cosmologist, Helios-physicist, astrophysicist, cosmic ray physicist, atmospheric physicist, meteorologist, environmental physicist, geologist, soil-physicist, mineralogist, metallurgist, solid state physicist, nuclear physicist, elementary particle physicist, meta-physicist, bio-physicist, molecular biophysicist and so on. According to our classification, a physicist designing a nuclear reactor, a chemist improving the properties of polyethylene, a breeder producing a new animal breed or a plant type is different. However, this classification is purely arbitrary and leads to not only misconceptions but also disastrous conditioning of human mind, because knowledge is an inter-linked continuum without discreet boundaries. 2. There is only an inter-play of matter and energy in the universe Man, on the face of the earth, lives in a world of material things of diverse kinds created, sustained and recycled by four types of primary forces of nature recognized by physicists as; weak interaction, strong interaction, electro-weak and gravitation. A mysterious super attractive (not the kind of gravity) ‘fifth force’ originating at the interface of the universe has also been contemplated. This ‘fifth force’ differs from gravitation in that it is exerted on the matter itself and not on the mass of matter as gravitation does. The proposed Large Hadron Collision Experiment at the CERN, Geneva is a step further in our understanding the nature of material creation in the universe. However, the most baffling and complex being our ‘consciousness’, its origin, nature, characteristics, manifestation and process of recycling. Scientists are yet to recognize consciousness as a natural force in line with the other four already known. The oldest known scientific literature and philosophy in the world – the ‘Vedas’ and the ‘Upanishads’ clearly indicate that the creation of universe took
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place about 15 billion years ago starting from the primordially dispersed high density magnetic field to electric field; from electric field to electromagnetic field; from electromagnetic field to gaseous and liquid state matter and from gaseous and liquid state to solid state in the same chronological order. What does not fit into this sequence of creation is the destructive universal gravitational field, independent of all other forces and which pervades all through the material creation. Unlike electric and magnetic forces, gravitation is only an attractive type of force. The electric charge being the starting point for the creation of visible matter, molecules of various kinds and structures. This is in perfect agreement with modern concepts of theoretical chemistry based on the exchange / share of electron charge between atoms of different kind leading to formation of structures. Obviously therefore, if there is a common origin for all these eventful sequence in creation, they should be able to be explained by a common physical theory and therefore the search for such theory of everything is on. One commentator on an article published in ‘The Scientist.com’ has rightly put in appropriate spirit- “The theory of unification requires an insanely broad mind-not necessarily in terms of detailed comprehension, but rather endowed with infinite innocence and curiosity”. The ultimate purpose of human existence being to understand how the events in this world of material things are interlinked for the creation and survival of plant, animal, insect, microbes and humankinds. It is the unabated curiosity in man that has kept the developments going on and evolution of human knowledge expanding. 3. All Events in the Universe are Cyclic It may be understood that all creations in the universe are not only crystalline but also periodic and cyclic in nature, forming various structures under different conditions and finally breaking up and returning back into the primordial natural elements from which they got formed. Natural events from rotation of the Earth and Moon around the Sun, annual seasons, vegetative production of all kinds of cereal, flower, fruit and crops, animal reproductions, diurnal cycles of dark and light, biological rhythm and temperature, etc are some of the common cyclic phenomena each responding to the radiation signals generated by the cyclic changes in the geomagnetic forces of the Earth as well as those of the Sun, Planets, the Moon and
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terrestrial or combined environmental conditions. William F. Patterson in his famous book- ‘Man Weather and Sun ‘- Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas, 1947, introduced the concept of Man as a ‘Cosmic Resonator’ programmed to survive in harmony not only with seasonal cycles of weather but with Sun, Earth and Moon as well. Biological cycles reveal themselves in rhythm in hibernation, mating behavior, body temperature, blood pressure, structure and volume and in several other physiological and behavioral processes induced by cosmic disturbances and controlled by correspondingly induced, endogenous hormonal secretions. The master control that directs human physiology, thoughts and actions is the brain, an elaborate circuitry of over hundred billion inter-connected nerve cells activating transmission and reception of hormonal messages to various organs at a naturally controlled constant temperature. A fluctuating brain temperature leads to erratic and unpredictable reactions and obviously behavior in man, animals, insects and even plants (from environmental stimulation). It is remarkably puzzling why our bodies and those of most mammals and birds maintain a uniformly constant temperature close to 37.5 degree Celsius irrespective of our living in the Arctic or the African Sahara desert. Therefore, if man wants to live in peace, health and harmony on earth, he has to understand, follow, and act in accordance with the laws of nature. Any neglect or departure or liberties would only spell disaster and doom. All so called scriptures of the different religions and sects of the world were fundamentally the teachings given to a common man to realize, understand and live under existing conditions, as per the natural laws. It is the practice of those teachings in different environmental and social conditions under banners of organized groups, has created religions in different names and divided humanity. Christopher Hitchens in his monumental book –‘God is not Great’, has beautifully described how this has been done and why? 4. Physical and Spiritual realms According to the Vedic philosophy, there are two principles of reality. Whereas physics, chemistry and for that matter all sciences are within the first category, life belongs to the non-physical spiritual realm governed by the existence of a nonchemical or non-molecular spiritual soul and it follows its own spiritual laws. All living bodies are made up of organic matter; molecules and these bodies are animated
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by the presence of the soul. Taking analogy of a car and its driver inside, when the driver is away, the car stops and cannot move. Similarly, when the spirit soul goes away / or when death occurs, the body with all its molecular machinery still intact is no longer animated. The presence of the spirit soul is not limited to the human beings alone but all living entities including microbes have spirit souls. This spirit soul, the seed of life, has existed since eternity and has been believed to manifest itself from the moment of conception (at least in higher living beings). The periodic cycles of creation and annihilation of material world along with living beings take place continuously like changes of seasons. Four such cycles called by the name Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali yuga (Cycle) appear by rotation. Seeds of Life either manifested or un-manifested can embody on earth from any organism – bacteria, plants, birds, animals or human beings according to the subtle laws of karma (the action) performed by a living entity under the influence of three characteristics of material nature (gunas); ‘Sat, Tama, Rajas‘. Despite strong religious faith / belief in oriental philosophy of human rebirth, the rigorous experimental work of Madame Elisabeth Kubler-Ross has also demonstrated the existence of cyclic phases in human life death and rebirth. 5. Body as a physical laboratory and conditions for success Science has given technical knowledge, material prosperity and physical comforts to human civilization. However, it needs to be borne in mind that like the disciplines of science and technology, there indeed exists a body of knowledge which disciplines natural tendencies, helps to exercise control over emotions, reins the drifting mind, tames uncontrolled thoughts, restrains from thoughtless actions and leads an individual on the path to seek the real purpose of human life. This knowledge is what is called ‘Spirituality’. Spirituality seeks to identify manifestation of the spirit soul within our own body. It is concerned more with passionate realization through experience from within rather than some thing happening physical from outside. Human body, under the circumstances, functions as a physical laboratory. And since all scientific experiments need perfect instrumental and environmental conditions to succeed, ‘Path to Spirituality’ requires essentially tuning the physical body in unison to perceive
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subtlest signals from the spirit-soul. This tuning therefore must take place, harmoniously according to the natural scientific principles, laws, rules and conditions. All desires, likes, dislikes, passions, tensions, aspirations of the five sensory organs, self-ego, pride and prejudices arising within the mind must be removed. Perfect Control over mind and concentration of thoughts are the keystone of the arch of the gateway to spirituality. Self-ego gets dissolved with cultivation of universal love and affection and humility, Self-confidence and fearlessness become the acquired attributes of a spiritually enlightened man. Unfortunately, people erroneously equate spirituality with religion, which most often divides us rather than to agree on a commonality of the purpose of our very existence. A true scientist is as much religious and spiritual as any acknowledged saint from any organized religious group. Laskar Award winner Scientist Madame Candace B. Pert in her celebrated book -‘Molecules of Emotion’ emphatically describes with experimental evidence, deeper connection between thoughts, actions and neuropeptides secreted in the brain and body and a quote from her book is illuminating; “All processes that impact on survival- sex, eating, breathing, etc. – are highly regulated by neuropeptides, and thus are emotionally directed. The simple emotions of pain and pleasure, signaling us to move either towards or away from it, have been key determinants in whether an animal or human survives or evolves. Our large and small intestines are densely lined with neuropeptides and receptors, all busily exchanging information laden with emotional content, which we experience. There are at least twenty different emotion laden peptides released by the pancreas to regulate the assimilation or storage of nutrients, all carrying information about satiety and hunger. It is the peptide that mediates satiety and hunger and we cannot hear what our peptides are telling us when we are disconnected from or in denial about, our emotions. Similarly, blood flow is closely regulated by emotional peptides, which signal receptors on blood vessel walls to constrict or dilate, and so influence the amount and velocity of blood flowing through them from moment to moment”. 6. Bhagvad Gita and Vedic Philosophy are universal There is no doubt that the oldest philosophy on the earth showing path to seekers in spirituality and the perfect way of living on earth, in tune with the laws of nature is
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the Vedic Advaita Philosophy. And this philosophy is purely scientific in its approach to realization of the ultimate reality based on the principles of natural laws of creation. Vedas are known to were received and imbibed by Maharshi Ved Vyas direct from the vibrations, sounds, consonants, vowels, words, rhythm, beats and fluxes of energy descended down from the moment of creation. There is therefore no giver, author or compiler of the knowledge and wisdom given therein. The explicit descend of the Schrodinger’s wave equation from his mind, which was not otherwise possible to derive from anything known; the mathematical equations written with solutions by the Mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujam and several such instances are the recent examples of knowledge percolating from somewhere mysteriously unknown. There are no different natural laws for people of different cast, creed, colour of the external skin, physical size or location on the earth. Vedic Advaita Philosophy is universal in its approach, appeal, contents and practice. It is tragic that it is incorrectly labeled at times by the ignorant as Hindu Religious Philosophy. The ‘Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagvad Gita’ represent the pinnacles of achievement of science, spirituality and sincere universal guide to those who wish to tread the path of spirituality, healthful living, universal love and salvation into the cosmic consciousness (Moksha). Perhaps the only Universal Religion for every one of us is to collectively and individually maintain himself / herself mentally, thoughtfully, physiologically, nutritionally and physically in sound good health, depending upon geographical location on the earth, because food intake, its nature and effective digestion by the body’s metabolism are mediated to a great extent by the external environmental conditions and mental strategies to combat them for survival. This is the only meaning of spirituality and essence of all religions, past or present that have flourished on earth. (Reprinted from University News, a Weekly Journal of Higher Education of the Association of Indian Universities, Vol. 46 No. 52, December 29, 2008 -January 04, 2009, pp 13-15.) RFERENCES : 1. Guney M.R., ‘Dnyaneshwari Che Bhava-Vishwa’ in Marathi, Snehal Prakashan, Mumbai, 2006, 192p.
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2.
SAVIJNANAM-Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm, Vol 1,2,3-4, Journal of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, Ed. In Chief-Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (Dr. T.D. Singh), 2002, 2003, 2004-2005 respectively.
3.
Parnov E.I., ‘At the Crossroads of Infinities, Translated by Vladimir Talmy, MIR Publishers, Moscow, 1974, 397p.
4.
Chawn Marcus,’Magic Furnace’ Vintage, 2000, 232p.
5.
‘Dnyaneshwari and Bhakti Movement’, Compendium of eighteen articles by various authors. Published by Maharashtra Information Centre, New Delhi, 1984, 100p.
6.
‘HINDU DHARMA-The Universal Way of Life’ Voice of the Guru-Pujyasri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvatiswami, Jagadguru, the 68 th Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Pitha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, 1995,790p.
7.
Segre Gino, ‘Einsteins Refrigerator: Tales of Hot and Cold’, Allen Lane, Penguine Books, 300p.
8.
Pert, Candace B. ‘Molecules of Emotion’, Pocket Books, London, 1997, Chapter 13, pp 279-315.
9.
Gokhale P.V.,’Spand Tatvaavar Adharit Bramha Vidyecha Vidnyan Paath’ In Marathi Language, Published by the Author, reprinted edition 2002, 367, Narayan, Laxmi Road, Pune, India.
10. Cowan David with Silk Anne, ‘Ancient Energies of the Earth- A ground breaking exploration of the earth’s natural energy and how it affects our health’. Thorsons: An Imprint of Harper Collins, 1999, pp319. 11. Emoto Masaru, ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’ Translated by David A Thayne, Atria Books, 2001 pp 157. 12. Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth. www.elisabethkublerross.com 13. Wiley Steven, ‘Waiting for Einstein : The dwan of a unified theory of biology may finally be upon us’. The Scientist.com Vol 22 Issue 10, Page 31.
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2. SCIENCE, SPIRITUALITY AND GOD : AN ATTEMPTED SYNTHESES Dimensions of human knowledge and inter-play of matter and energy in the universe Each tiny sparkling dot in the ‘Milky Way’ seen in the night sky is in fact a galaxy (group) consisting of 1 million individual stars stretching across from its one end to the other by a distance of hundred or thousand light years. This means light at its speed of One lakh Eighty Six Thousand Miles per second (1,86,000 miles/second OR 3 X 1010 m/second) will take thousand years to go from one end of the tiny dot to its other end. And there are one million such galaxies in one universe and millions of such universe still beyond. The known portion of the Universe observed so far, through the best of telescopic instruments extends for approximately 1010 light years, or 1028 cm. The smallest known distance from the knowledge of atomic and Elementary particle physics is 10-14 cm. A comparison of the smallest to the greatest distances yields the staggering number 1042 cm. The smallest distance of 10–14 cm is traversed by light at its speed in 10-24 seconds. This is then the smallest time interval and it lies far beyond the limits of all known methods of time measurements. The greatest time interval we know is the “lifetime of the universe’ since its creation from the moment the proverbial ‘Big Bang’ estimated to had occurred 10,000 million and 30,000 million years or 1018 seconds ago. Again, a comparison of the smallest and greatest time intervals yields a value of 1042. Incidentally, this coincidence of magnitude of time and distance intervals is not by chance but there seems to be some secret of creation hidden behind this correspondence in tune with the mystery of the constancy of the several universal physical constants. There is no explanation for why these constants are there as they are and we have no choice but to accept them as “given”- imprinted on the universe like the maker’s trade-mark at the moment of cosmic creation and fixed for ever. As a scientist, we have therefore no option but to believe that both the macro- and microuniverse is governed by some absolutely dependable, universally invariable,
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mathematical laws of unknown origin, inter-connected or related by the universal physical constants. And the very fact that the physical laws just exist without a valid logical reason is scientifically anti-rational according to Paul Davis. As we know, the remotest sections of the universe are receding from us at the velocities close to that of light. Electromagnetic energy, predominantly in the form of light connects the two extreme infinities i.e. the infinity of vastness and infinity of minuteness and provides information about the micro and distant cosmic worlds. These are the dimensions of human knowledge. There is only matter and energy that fills this vast expanse of the universe and their interplay in between creates material world of various kinds, beautifully summarized by Einstein’s theory of relativity and his famous equation (E = m.C2), where E stands for energy, m for mass of the matter and C for the velocity / of light). The fundamental physical constants, in contradiction to the unity of nature are characterized for the sake of convenience into two groups. The first one includes the type of constants used to describe the macro-world, whereas the constants of the second group characterize the behavior of the smallest microphysical particles, which cannot be observed directly. Since any macro-object is nothing else but a collection of a huge number of atoms, the two worlds i.e. the micro and the macro must necessarily be interrelated, Figure-1.
Figure 1 : The ouraborus. There are links between the microworld of particles, nuclei and atoms (left) and the cosmos (right). {Reproduced with apology from Just Six Numbers by Martin Rees, Phoenix, 1999}
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Finding such connections or links is one of the challenging problems of current physics and until this is done, the edifice of physics will not be completed. Furthermore, the values of the constants are not obtained theoretically but have to be measured experimentally. Therefore, in probing the universe, man actually probes his own brain and nature of his boldest and craziest theories are determined by his way of thinking. They are mirrors that reflect our capability for knowledge, and Man is indeed born for knowledge and he shall never stop in seeking his own reality, purpose and place in the scheme of universal creation. It is this pursuit with logic and reason based on observed facts; man has invented various branches of sciences to understand the manifestation of nature and their sociological interactions. Therefore, a physicist who concerns himself with any event that takes place at various levels in between the limits of infinities is called by various names such as a cosmologist, Helios-physicist, astrophysicist, cosmic ray physicist, atmospheric physicist, meteorologist, environmental physicist, geologist, soil-physicist, mineralogist, metallurgist, solid state physicist, nuclear physicist, elementary particle physicist, meta-physicist, bio-physicist, molecular biophysicist and so on. However, this classification was and is purely arbitrary and leads only to misconceptions and disastrous conditioning of human mind, because knowledge is an inter-linked continuum without discreet boundaries. Every specialist from all branches of sciences referred above, in fact, searches and re-searches only an inter-play of matter and energy from his own perception. Man, on the face of the earth, lives in a world of material things of infinitely diverse kind, created, sustained and recycled under the influence of four types of primary forces of nature recognized by physicists as; weak interaction, strong interaction, electromagnetic and gravitation. A mysterious super attractive (not the kind of gravity) ‘fifth force’ originating at the interface of the universe has also been contemplated. This ‘fifth force’ is believed to differ from gravitation in that it is exerted on the matter itself and not on the mass of matter as gravitation does. The proposed Large Hadron Collision Experiment at the CERN, Geneva is a step further in our understanding the nature of material creation in the universe and its ultimate constitution. However, the most baffling and complex being our ‘consciousness’, its
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origin, nature, characteristics, manifestation and process of recycling. Scientists are yet to recognize ‘consciousness’ as a natural force in line with the other four forces already known. The oldest known scientific literature and philosophy in the world –the ‘Vedas’ and the ‘Upanishads’ clearly indicate that the material creation of the universe took place about 15 billion years ago starting from the primordially dispersed high density magnetic field to electric field; from electric field to electromagnetic field; from electromagnetic field to gaseous and liquid state matter and from gaseous and liquid state to solid state in the same chronological order. What does not fit into this sequence of creation is the destructive universal gravitational field, independent of all other forces and which pervades all through the material creation. Unlike electric and magnetic forces, gravitation is only an attractive type of force. The electric charge being the starting point for the creation of molecules and visible matter, of various kinds and structures. This is in perfect agreement with modern concepts of theoretical chemistry based on the exchange / share of electron charge between invisible atoms of different kind leading to formation of structures. Obviously therefore, if there is a common origin for all these eventful sequence in creation, they should be able to be explained by a common physical theory and therefore the search for such theory of everything is on. One commentator on an article published in ‘The Scientist.com’ has rightly put it in appropriate spirit- “The theory of unification requires an insanely broad mind-not necessarily in terms of detailed comprehension, but rather endowed with infinite innocence and curiosity”. No wonder, why Albert Einstein should have spent last four decades of his life in attempt to search for a theory of nature in which all laws of matter and energy would be unified. The ultimate purpose of human existence being to understand how the events in this world of material things are interlinked for the creation and survival of plant, animal, insect, microbes and humankinds. It is the unabated curiosity in man that has kept the developments going on and evolution of human knowledge expanding. All Events in the Universe are Cyclic Although, the formation of basic natural elements and conditions under which they
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were initially formed, still continues to be a great scientific mystery, it may be understood that all material creations in the universe are not only crystalline but also periodic and cyclic in nature, forming various structures under different conditions and finally breaking up and returning back into the primordial natural elements from which they got formed. Natural events from rotation of the Earth and Moon around the Sun, annual seasons, vegetative production of all kinds of cereal, flower, fruit and crops, animal reproductions, diurnal cycles of dark and light, biological rhythm and temperature, etc are some of the common cyclic phenomena each responding to the light radiation, thermal flux, molecular stimulation or any other such kind of signals generated by the cyclic changes in the geomagnetic forces of the Earth as well as those of the Sun, Planets, the Moon and terrestrial or combined environmental conditions. William F. Patterson in his famous book- ‘Man Weather and Sun ‘Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas, 1947, introduced the concept of Man as a ‘Cosmic Resonator’ programmed to survive in harmony not only with seasonal cycles of weather but with Sun, Earth and Moon as well. It is now well known that whereas the Sun provides the essential energy to drive all life forms, it is indeed the Moon that sustains the atmosphere and all life forms on the earth and the entire universe is believed to contribute to what we are. Biological cycles reveal themselves in periodic rhythm in hibernation, mating behavior, body temperature, blood structure, its volume, viscosity and pressure besides several other physiological and behavioral processes induced by terrestrial and cosmic disturbances and controlled by correspondingly induced, endogenous hormonal secretions from the hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary and several other glands. The master control that directs human physiology, thoughts and actions is the brain, an elaborate circuitry of over hundred billion inter-connected nerve cells activating transmission and reception of hormonal messages to various organs at a naturally controlled constant temperature. A fluctuating brain temperature leads to erratic and unpredictable reactions and obviously behavior in man, animals and insects. Even plants get stimulation from the environment around them and respond in terms of induced physiological and biochemical changes. It is remarkably puzzling why our bodies and those of most mammals and birds maintain a uniformly constant temperature close to 37.5 degree Celsius irrespective of our living in the Arctic or
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the African Sahara desert. Therefore, if man wants to live in peace, health and harmony on Earth, he has to understand, follow, and act in accordance with the laws of nature. Any neglect or departure or liberties (knowingly or ignorantly) against the natural laws are only known to spell disaster and doom. However, despite inherent capacity, not all human beings attempt to understand, comprehend and resolutely act according to the natural laws (the true religion). Therefore, the teachings and code of conduct given by the pioneers / seers to a common man in so called scriptures of different Spiritual sects of the world were fundamentally to realize, understand and live scientifically under existing conditions, as per these natural laws. It is the aberrant practice of those pristine teachings by the descendent followers in different environmental and social conditions under banners of organized groups, has created shades of religions in different names and divided humanity into factions. The only religion of human kind is to understand the science and scientific basis of his existence in relation to universal conditions. And it is purely an individualistic pursuit from within own self and physical body. Organized form of any religion (howsoever benevolent, it may look from outside) is therefore nothing short of a brute force, promoted, perpetrated, hyped and even enforced by use of muscular force for collective pseudo supremacy / security, born out of fear for losing social patronage and protection, power, position, control, influence, authority, purpose, motive or for any such kind. Christopher Hitchens in his monumental book –‘God is not great’, has beautifully described how the threat of an eternal punitive hell, a teaching that for centuries had been used to frighten and shock innocent children into believing what their parents or religious leaders did. It is therefore not very surprising that anything said (even in a spirit of free enquiry) against such orthodoxy, which has been imprinted and imbibed in the minds of individuals since childhood, for thousands of years should meet criticism, opposition and even rebellion. Religion will not die, says Hitchens, “ or until we get over our fear of death, and of the dark, and of the unknown, and of each other and religious coercion of scarring children into belief with the ideas of Hell (and wrath of GOD).” Even, Albert Einstein, the celebrated Nobel Physicist, presenting his views on Science, Philosophy and Religion in 1940 says- “ A person who is religiously enlightened, appears to me to be one who has, to
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the best of his ability, liberated himself from the fetters of his selfish desires and is preoccupied with thoughts, feelings and aspirations to which he clings because of their super-personal value.” And when once asked straight out if he believed in God, he replied: “ I believe in Dutch Philosopher Benedict or Baruch Spinoza’s personal God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists and not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings. I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures.” Further, while attempting to define his own religiosity, Einstein emphatically said: “ Try and penetrate with our limited means the secrets of nature and you will find that, behind all the discernible concatenations, there remains something subtle, intangible and inexplicable. Veneration for this force (behind all creation) beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion. To that extent I am, in point of fact, religious. The religious geniuses of all ages have been distinguished by this kind of religious feeling, which knows no dogma and no God conceived in man’s image; so that there can be no church whose central teachings are based on it. Religion and science meet for the cosmic religious experience, which is the strongest and noblest driving force behind scientific research.” Physical and Spiritual realms According to the Vedic philosophy, there are two principles of reality. Whereas physics, chemistry and for that matter all sciences are within the first category, life belongs to the non-physical spiritual realm governed by the existence of a nonchemical or non-molecular spiritual soul of pure conscious energy and it follows its own spiritual laws. All living bodies are made up of molecules of organic matter; and these bodies are animated by the presence of the soul (universal consciousness). Taking analogy of a car and its driver inside, when the driver is away, the car stops and cannot move. Similarly, when the spirit soul goes away / or when death occurs, the body with all its molecular machinery still intact is no longer animated. The presence of the spirit soul is not limited to the human beings alone but all living entities including microbes have spirit souls. This spirit soul, the seed of life, has existed ever since eternity and has been believed to manifest itself (at least in higher living beings) from the moment of conception. The continual connection, distribution, manifestation, operation, auto-generation and symptoms of withdrawal of the soul
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(universal consciousness) can only be observed / searched / probed though the human body, because it is only the man from amongst the animal world with his physical body as an experimental instrument and faculty of mind, can do so as an independent observer. The periodic cycles of creation and annihilation of material world along with living beings take place continuously like changes of seasons. Four such cycles called by the name Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali yuga (Cycle) appear by rotation. I wonder if these four cycles scientifically represent, the periodic time frames of conditions, within which, there is a preponderance / pre-dominance of one of the four fundamental forces of nature over the other three, so that creation, sustenance or destruction of the visible matter (Maya) continues gradually in phases, despite their being in simultaneous operation together all the time. This is possibly evident from the example of a star whose iron-rich core, when cross a threshold size of 1.4 solar masses, the gravitational force gains the upper hand to the extent such that the core, under its influence implodes down to the size of a neutron star, releasing tremendous amount of energy to blow off the overlying material in a colossal explosion and creating a supernova. Physical explanation for such eventful cycles will have to be searched. Seeds of Life, either manifested or un-manifested, can embody on earth from any organism– unicellular bacteria, plants, birds, animals or human beings according to the subtle laws of karma (the action) performed by a living entity under the influence of three characteristics of material nature (gunas); ‘Sat, Tama and Rajas’. Here again, I wonder if these so called three gunas, actually stand to mean (in modern scientific terms) and refer to the three kinds of electrovalent, covalent and coordinate nature of chemical bonds that are responsible for the formation, quality and characteristics of the innumerable structures between atoms of different chemical elements to form material compounds of diverse kind. Madame Elisabeth KublerRoss has emphatically demonstrated the existence of even cyclic phases in human life death and rebirth, through rigorous scientific experimental work, despite strong reservations against such belief in oriental philosophy between different religions. 5. Body as a physical laboratory and conditions for success
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Science has given technical knowledge, material prosperity and physical comforts to human civilization. However, it needs to be borne in mind that like the disciplines of science and technology, there indeed exists a body of knowledge which disciplines natural tendencies, helps to exercise control over emotions, reins the drifting mind, tames uncontrolled thoughts, restrains from thoughtless actions and leads an individual on the path to seek the real purpose of human life. This knowledge is what is called ‘Spirituality’. Spirituality seeks to identify manifestation of the spirit soul (universal consciousness) within our own body. It is concerned more with passionate realization through experience from within rather than some thing happening physical from outside. Human body, under the circumstances, functions as a physical laboratory. And since all scientific experiments (in material and biological sciences) need perfect instrumental and environmental conditions to succeed, ‘Path to Spirituality’ requires essentially tuning the physical body in unison to perceive subtlest signals from the spirit-soul. This tuning therefore must take place, harmoniously according to the natural scientific principles, laws, rules and conditions. There is no denying of the fact that the entire universe indeed, contributes to what we are. All desires, likes, dislikes, passions, tensions, aspirations of the five sensory organs, self-ego, pride and prejudices arising within the mind must be removed. Perfect Control over mind and concentration of thoughts are the keystone of the arch of the gateway to spirituality. Self-ego gets dissolved with cultivation of universal love, affection and humility and self-confidence and fearlessness become the acquired attributes of a spiritually enlightened man. Unfortunately, people erroneously equate spirituality with religion, which most often divides us rather than to agree on a commonality of the purpose of our very existence. In my opinion, the sole purpose of any organized religion should and must have been to only motivate large number of people to follow the path of self-realization, rather than subjecting them to the practice ritualistic traditions in some form or other. A true scientist is as much religious and spiritual as any acknowledged saint from any organized religious group. Laskar Award winner Scientist Madame Candace B. Pert in her celebrated book- ‘Molecules of Emotion’ emphatically describes with experimental evidence, deeper connection between thoughts, actions and neuropeptides secreted in the brain and body and a quote from
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her book is illuminating; “All processes that impact on survival- sex, eating, breathing, etc. – are highly regulated by neuropeptides, and thus are emotionally directed. The simple emotions of pain and pleasure, signaling us to move either towards or away from it, have been key determinants in whether an animal or human survives or evolves. Our large and small intestines are densely lined with neuropeptides and receptors, all busily exchanging information laden with emotional content, which we experience. There are at least twenty different emotion laden peptides released by the pancreas to regulate the assimilation or storage of nutrients, all carrying information about satiety and hunger. It is the peptide that mediates satiety and hunger and we cannot hear what our peptides are telling us when we are disconnected from or in denial about, our emotions. Similarly, blood flow is closely regulated by emotional peptides, which signal receptors on blood vessel walls to constrict or dilate, and so influence the amount and velocity of blood flowing through them from moment to moment”. 6. Bhagvad Gita and Vedic Philosophy are universal There is no doubt that the oldest philosophy on the earth showing path to seekers in spirituality and the perfect way of living on earth, in tune with the laws of nature is the Vedic Advaita Philosophy. And this philosophy is purely scientific in its approach to realization of the ultimate reality based on the principles of natural laws of creation. Vedas are known to were received and imbibed by Maharshis of the Vedic times from the vibrations, sounds, consonants, vowels, words, rhythm, beats and fluxes of energy descended down from the moment of creation and transformed into a language called the ‘Sanskrit’. This language was evolved as a combination of various frequencies of vibrations and energies that are running through human being in unison with the cosmic universal consciousness. Each letter is related to a particular form of waveform and different alphabets, when joined together constitute packets / bundles of resultant waves with characteristic frequency and energy content. The sanskritic language is therefore inherently superimposed and naturally runs through every human being as an undercurrent, irrespective of his / her personal language, religion, faith, belief, cast, creed or geographic location on the earth. It is therefore no surprise that Sanskrit should have been acknowledged as the mother of most of the Asian and European languages. That is the common thread of reality between all races of human kind
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(civilized or uncivilized, educated or illiterate) and explains why an object of beauty, a couplet of fine poetry, a passage of compassionate text or a mind-quieting note of musical sound and actions full of love, affection and compassion have universal appeal. There is therefore no giver, author or compiler of the knowledge and wisdom given in the Vedas. The truth in this assertion is evident also from the explicit descend of the Erwin Schrodinger’s wave equation from his mind, which was not otherwise possible to derive from anything known; the mathematical equations written with solutions by the Mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujam, Kekule’s decoding the structure of benzene with six carbon atoms joined together in a hexagonal closed ring from his dream, the theory of general relativity that stemmed from Einstein’s deep insight rather than being stimulated or guided by any specific experiment or observation and several such instances are the recent examples of knowledge percolating from somewhere mysteriously unknown. The manifestation of energy within a human body is mediated through the seven energy centers called the ‘chakras’ which lie along the spinal chord, in unison with the universal cosmic energy with the help of three energy conduits (nadis) named ‘Ida’, ‘Pingala’ and the ‘Sushumna’. Smooth flow of energy through the charkas is regulated and controlled by the frequency and depth of breathing (pranayam). Mind is controlled by rigorous discipline, punctuality, regularity and thoughts and impressions through meditation but actions (karma) cannot be done so. Since the seven charkas regulate flow of energy on their turn to various organs, parts and regions of the human body for physical action, any obstruction to this energy flow between charkas is reflected in the form of ailment or disease of an organ under the control of those particular chakras. This is the fundamental natural law for our physical, physiological, metabolic, mental and spiritual health and continued blissful existence on the earth. There are therefore no other natural laws for people of different cast, creed, colour of the external skin, physical size or location on the earth. Vedic Advaita Philosophy is universal in its approach, appeal, contents and practice. It is tragic that it is incorrectly labeled at times by the ignorant as ‘Hindu Religious Philosophy’. The ‘Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagvad Gita’ represent the pinnacles of achievement
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of a holistic science, spirituality and sincere universal guide to those who wish to tread the path of spirituality, healthful living, universal love and salvation into the cosmic consciousness (Moksha). Perhaps the only Universal Religion (as an essential duty) for every one of us is to collectively and individually maintain himself / herself mentally, thoughtfully, physiologically, nutritionally and physically in sound good health, depending upon geographical location on the earth, because food intake, its nature and effective digestion by the body’s metabolism are mediated to a great extent by the external environmental conditions and mental strategies (thoughts) to combat them for survival. This is the only meaning of spirituality and essence of the teaching of all religions, past or present that have flourished on earth. No wonder, Madame Candace B. Pert, a modern immuno-pharmacologist, in tune with the Vedic philosophy, attaches great importance to exercising complete control over thoughts, emotions and language for a healthy living. Because, thoughts provoke biosynthesis of peptides, polypeptides, hormones, proteins and enzymes within the brain and body and moderate human physiology and body-actions. And when action is performed, its appropriate logical consequence being a reaction that follows almost immediately. From this point of view, every word that we speak constitutes a ‘mantra’ and has the inherent capacity to evoke physical action. Concept and nature of GOD No other concept has remained so enigmatic as that of GOD and this has remained with man ever since he learnt to observe, analyze, remember and possibly think and correlate the innumerable natural phenomenon as inter-play of energies, forces and effects, occurring over matter of diverse kinds and taking place around him from somewhere unknown. It is ignorance about possible causes and predominantly the fear (self generated or induced) about someone unknown imagined to be operating, conducting and destroying the visible nature that created the concept of GOD. And this dogma has remained with the humanity ever since, through thousands of years despite some valiant attempts by scientific pioneers to see relevance on the basis of scientific logic, experience and reason. History is a witness to the torture, humiliation and sentences being given to these pioneers by unreasonable advisors and authorities
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who ruled over kingdoms. In the absence of a rational system of education, uniformly reasonable level of scientific temper, logic, reason, competence and analytical mind amongst a majority of subjects of all civilizations, GOD has not only remained relevant (or maintained to be so) but has flourished in the hands of the traders, brokers and middlemen of organized religious groups as pseudo links between him (God) and a common man. Many countries of the world have enshrined God in their national constitution and rulers owe allegiance to their constitution in the name of God. God! If, at all exists, must indeed show off in the form of his profound energy. Scientists are aware that only one tenth of the actual matter constitutes the visible universe and the balance nine tenth, remains as mysteriously invisible and dispersed energy called as the dark matter in the universe. All matter throughout the universe is the outcome of one primordial matter called the ether (akasha) and all forces, gravitational or electromagnetic is the outcome of cosmic energy called the (prana) cosmic consciousness and action of prana on akasha creates the universe. It is the Oriental Advaita Vedant Philosophy that not only professed an intimate connection between man and the cosmos, but actually showed a practical way of realizing this through breathing exercises (pranayam) and regulation of conscious energy through the seven energy centers called the ‘chakras’ lying along the spinal chord of the human body. From Einstein’s equation of mass-energy equivalence, both mass and energy become true functions of each other and space and time no longer remain absolutes. A God of pure conscious cosmic energy can become a doctrine for Christians or an incarnation (avatar) perceived by the Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. In reality, both religion and orthodox science are indeed founded on faith i.e. belief in the existence of unexplained God outside the universe who governs and brings natural order and unexplained set of physical laws and universal physical constants that keep the cycle of universal creation going on in abstract transcendent realm of perfect mathematical relationships. For this reason therefore, both religion and science do not provide satisfactory explanation for physical existence. And as Paul Davis explains; “ for Christians, world depends utterly on God for its existence, while the converse is not the case, so physicists declare a similar asymmetry; the universe is governed by eternal laws (or meta-laws) but the laws are completely
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impervious to what happens inside the universe. The only possible compromise at present being to consider both the eternal immutable laws or meta-laws of physics and the universe they govern to be part and parcel of a unitary system to be incorporated together within a common explanatory scheme, with explanation coming from within the universe and without appeal to an external agency. Until science comes up with testable theory of laws of the universe, its claim to be free of faith is manifestly bogus.” (Reprinted from University News, A Weekly Journal of Higher Education, Association of Indian Universities, Vol. 48 No. 39, September 27-October 03, 2010, pp 37-43.) References : 1. Guney M.R., ‘Dnyaneshwari Che Bhava-Vishwa’ in Marathi, Snehal Prakashan, Mumbai, 2006, 192p. 2. SAVIJNANAM-Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm, Vol 1,2,3-4, Journal of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, Ed. In Chief-Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (Dr. T.D. Singh), 2002, 2003, 2004-2005 respectively. 3. Parnov E.I., ‘At the Crossroads of Infinities, Translated by Vladimir Talmy, MIR Publishers, Moscow, 1974, 397p. 4. Chawn Marcus,’Magic Furnace’ Vintage, 2000, 232p. 5. ‘Dnyaneshwari and Bhakti Movement’, Compendium of eighteen articles by various authors. Published by Maharashtra Information Centre, New Delhi, 1984, 100p. 6. ‘HINDU DHARMA-The Universal Way of Life’ Voice of the Guru-Pujyasri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvatiswami, Jagadguru, the 68 th Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Pitha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, 1995,790p. 7. Segre Gino, ‘Einsteins Refrigerator: Tales of Hot and Cold’, Allen Lane, Penguine Books, 300p. 8. Pert, Candace B. ‘Molecules of Emotion’, Pocket Books, London, 1997, Chapter 13, pp 279-315. 9. Gokhale P.V.,’Spand Tatvaavar Adharit Bramha Vidyecha Vidnyan Paath’ In Marathi Language, Published by the Author, reprinted edition 2002, 367, Narayan, Laxmi Road, Pune, India.
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10. Cowan David with Silk Anne, ‘Ancient Energies of the Earth- A ground breaking exploration of the earth’s natural energy and how it affects our health’. Thorsons: An Imprint of Harper Collins, 1999, pp319. 11. Emoto Masaru, ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’ Translated by David A Thayne, Atria Books, 2001 pp 157. 12. Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth. www.elisabethkublerross.com 13. Wiley Steven, ‘Waiting for Einstein: The dawn of a unified theory of biology may finally be upon us’. The Scientist.com Vol 22 Issue 10, Page 31. 14. Paul Davis, ‘Taking science on faith’ November 24, 2007 (New York Times); http://www.rationalvedanta.net/node/155, the website for western and eastern philosophical and enlightened thoughts. 15. Paul Davis,’The Mind of God- Science and search for ultimate meaning’, Penguine Books, 1992. 16. Rees, Martin,’Just Six Numbers’ Phoenix Paperback, 1999. 17. Spiridnov, O.P., ‘Universal Physical Constants, MIR Publishers, Moscow, 1986.
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3. Our Cosmic Relationships, Food Nutrients and Good Health : An Attempted Syntheses ABSTRACT This article is targeted to the students and teachers in schools, colleges, universities, all formally and self-educated individuals and particularly to young mothers in domestic environments regarding the role of nutrition and nutrient supplementation in daily diet and personal health. The author has attempted on scientific logic to look for a syntheses between the traditional knowledge since time immemorial and the modern scientific concepts of human nutrition and nutrition supplements as are believed to be linked to the twelve Sun sign-related birth salts of Homeopathy, planetary influence on various body organs, their nutrition requirement for efficient functioning and the spiritual, mental, physical and biological health of an individual. The relationships are not as simple as may appear and even described in this article. It is only an attempt to indicate plausible connections existing between them at the most subtle level, beyond present understanding of the biochemical reaction kinetics and physical laws of energy and material flow. The intended message is meant to arouse awareness in the younger generation in securing good health under very dynamic, hectic, tense and fiercely competitive life style in recent times. Introduction It is well known that the annual circular trajectory of the Earth’s movement around the Sun is divided into 3600 degrees. This trajectory is further subdivided into twelve equal arc segments of 30 0 each and named as the twelve Sun signs almost arbitrarily several hundreds of years ago after imaginary perceptible shapes and figures hidden in the cluster of galaxies and stars called the constellations. These twelve Sun signs are given in Table 1 (columns 1,2,3).
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Table 1. Angular segment, Calendar period, Sun-signs, Ruling planet, Birth salt S. AngularNo. Segment
Period Calendar months
Sun sign
Ruling Planet
2
3
4
1. 00-300
21 March-20 April
Aries
Mars
Calcium phosphate (Calcaria phos)
2. 31- 600
21 April -20 May
Taurus
Venus
Sodium Sulphate (Natrum sulph)
3. 61– 900
21 May -20 June
Gemini
Mercury
4. 91–1200
21 June -20 July
Cancer
Moon
5. 121-1500
21 July- 20 Aug.
Leo
Sun
6. 151–1800
21 Aug–20 Sept.
Virgo
Mercury
Potassium Sulphate (Kali sulph)
7. 181–2100
21 Sept. – 20 Oct.
Libra
Venus
Sodium Phosphate (Natrum phos)
8. 211–2400
21 Oct. – 20 Nov.
Scorpio
Mars
Calcium Sulphate (Calcair sulphur)
9. 241-2700
21 Nov. – 20 Dec.
Sagittarius
Jupiter
Silica (Silicia)
10. 271-3000
21 Dec. 20 Jan.
Capricorn
Saturn
Calcium Phosphate (Calcaria phos)
11. 301-3300
21 Jan. – 20 Feb.
Aquarius
Saturn
Sodium Chloride (Natrum muir)
12. 331-3600
21 Feb. – 20 March
Pisces
Jupiter
Ferrous Phosphate (Ferrum phos)
1
Birth salt 5
Potassium Chloride (Kali muir) Calcium Fluoride (Calcaria fluorica) Magnesium Phosphate (Magnum phos)
The International Astronomical Union, since 1929, has grouped all the prominently seen 88 Stellar Constellations within twelve angular segments of the Sun-Signs depending upon their month wise visibility across the Zodiac. Of these 88 Constellations, 10 each are distinctly seen in the months of July and September, 8 each in the months of February, March, April and December; 7 each in the months of May and October; 6 in the months of January and November and only 5 in the months of June and August. These Constellations move so slowly that they would always be found at about the same place within our life time. Constellations vary in their distances, magnitude, luminosity, extent and number of galaxies and stars within
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clusters falling in each thirty degree arc segment of the Zodiac. A constellation’s star although may lie in the same direction on the sky, they are not connected to one another. Even inter-star distances within individual galaxy and between galaxies vary from few to several hundreds of light years. As a result, the energy component of constellations from outer space, particularly in the direction of the Sun of our own galaxy varies considerably from one another. This energy light from the constellations directed towards the Sun within each arc segment of the Zodiac, hits the Sun, next it mixes with the sunlight and the combined modified flux of energy hit the Earth and other planets of the solar system. Constellations are also the source of radiant energy of the electromagnetic type in various wavelength and frequency bands besides highly energetic corpuscular type cosmic rays and a mysterious super attractive (not the kind of gravity) ‘Fifth Force’ originating at the interface of the universe. This super attractive force, the primary source of all energy in the universe is assumed to give the four ‘Primary Forces‘ of nature, weak interaction, strong interaction, electroweak and gravitation, the power to govern and guide the matter and energy of the universe. Although the ‘Fifth Force’ is similar to the force of gravitation, it differs from gravitation in that it is exerted on the matter itself and not on the mass (energy) of matter as gravitation does. Moon, the satellite of the Earth, while going round the Earth and across its trajectory around the Sun, does not necessarily face and trace the same segment of the Zodiacal Sun-Sign as the Earth. The line joining the centers of Earth and Moon traces different segments of the Zodiac simultaneously depending upon its position relative to the Earth. The position of the Moon across the Zodiac at the time of the birth of man is known as his Moon-sign (Chandra Rashi). Moon sign is considered to be very important in that it conveys the status of the mind, attitude, likes, dislikes, aspirations, nature and desires inherited from his past birth. ‘Charaka Samhita’ originally written by Maharshi Charaka, clearly describes that the mental condition of a child depends upon the mental status of his parents at the time he is conceived, the sounds heard repeatedly by the pregnant woman, the actions performed by the embryo in its previous birth (life) and frequent desires for a particular type of mental faculty by the progeny and his actions in previous life. Vedas list 26 divine qualities
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and describe the ‘Garbhadharan’ ceremony of purification to be performed by the parents before conceiving a child to be born with exceptionally good qualities of mind and physical body. Obviously, Moon sign is directly responsible for the mind and the thought processes that continuously churn it. Thoughts, positive or negative on their turn are known to control the physiology, metabolic biochemical reactions and consequently the body actions under their influence. Since, for every action, there is an opposite reaction, all actions performed by an individual invoke their consequences in return. It may also be observed that whereas the Sun provides the necessary energy to propel life processes on the Earth, it is the Moon that sustains the life on it. The thin blanket of the Earth’s atmosphere and the cycle of atmospheric moisture saturation and precipitation are sustained by the Moon. Full appreciation about the effects of Moon on human, other life forms and the entire ecosystem, based on scientific data is accumulating fast with the advance of space technology and data gathered from the extra terrestrial probes. Characteristic curative properties to the ingredients of Tibetan Astro-medicines prepared under different phases and obviously energy fluxes of the moon are well known. Similarly Crop-Specific Periods in a calendar year for cultivation of any crop in any part of the world is in fact linked to the quantum of energy required by it for growth and its availability during that time of the year. The success of the All India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects for various cereals, legumes and oilseeds crops conceived and launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for ascertaining location specific performance of a particular genotype and its production potential was essentially linked to this reality besides other important factors. Like the Moon, the line joining the centers of the Earth and other planets of our solar system, face different Sun signs during their transit around the Sun. The energy fluxes from the outer galaxies and space modified by them with the Sun have considerable influence on the general life of an individual on the earth. An irrevocable evidence of the effect of Mars and other planets and correlation with vocational profession of individuals was shown by a French Astronomer Michael Gauqueline in 1950 and later by a German Astronomer Suitbert Ertel. According to Sharad Upadhey, Professor of Astrology from India, whereas the Sun affecting the soul helps in
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creating and generating the various organs in human body; energy from the Moon creates and controls the mind; Mercury affects voice, the intellect and wisdom; Jupiter has effect on reasoning; Venus affects the sperm, faculties of love, art, music and society; Saturn the sensitivity of the heart and soul and all muscular actions and patience are affected by the planet Mars. The twelve Zodiac signs and their ruling planets (Table-1,column 4) have also been associated with the twelve important parts of a human body as; Aries with Forehead; Taurus with the Mouth; Gemini with the Chest area; Cancer with the Heart; Leo with the Stomach; Virgo with the Waist; Libra with the Bladder; Scorpio with the Sex Organ; Sagittarius with the Thighs; Capricorn with the Knees and Knee joints; Aquarius with the Calf Muscle of the Legs and Pisces with the Feet of human body. Sun signs have also been associated with dominant effects of the salts of chemical elements Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Silica, which are essential for the metabolic functioning and survival of human bodies as healthy units. Phosphate, sulphate and chloride salts of the above elements are called the Birth-Salts of individuals. Table-1, column 5, lists the birth salts by chemical composition and by their name (in brackets) in Homeopathy, depending upon the Sun sign Table-1, column 3. It may be interesting to note that salts of calcium, iron, potassium, sodium and magnesium are essentially required by various organs of the human body for effective growth and functioning of bones, teeth, blood, tissue, nerves, muscles, skin, arteries and bone marrow. Practitioners of Homeopathy claim that birth salt pills in 200X potency, taken regularly by an individual on his birthday, keeps him healthy throughout the year with vigour and vitality. Although it is extremely difficult to precisely delineate the correlation of the Sun sign with Birth Salts and vitality of individual physiology, the cosmic forces and their resonance at the time of birth under a particular Sun sign has some thing to do both with excitation energy of Birth Salts in tune with natural characteristic frequencies and energies of the sperm and ovum cell fusing together for conception. It may be remembered that these salts are crystalline in their structure and composition and have characteristic frequencies / wavelengths at which they absorb or transmit radiations in solution or in crystalline forms. This also seems logical because all creations in the universe
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are not only crystalline but periodic and cyclic in nature forming various structures under different conditions and finally breaking up and returning back into the natural elements from which they got formed. Natural events from rotation of the Earth and Moon around Sun, annual seasons, vegetative production of all kinds of cereal, fruit and flower bearing crops, animal reproductions, diurnal cycles of dark and light, biological rhythm and temperature etc are some of the common cyclic phenomena each responding to the radiation signals generated by the cyclical changes in the geomagnetic forces of the Earth as well as those of the Sun, Planets, the Moon and terrestrial or combined environmental conditions. William F. Patterson in his famous book- ‘Man Weather and Sun’- Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas, 1947 introduced the concept of Man as a ‘Cosmic Resonator’ programmed to survive in harmony not only with seasonal cycles of weather but with Sun, Earth and Moon as well. Biological cycles reveal themselves in rhythm in hibernation, mating behaviour, body temperature, blood- pressure, structure and volume and in several other physiological processes controlled by endogenous hormonal secretions. It is well known that 71% of the surface on Earth is covered by water and only 29 % by land. Surprisingly, our bodies and even those of all the living beings on Earth have the same proportion i.e. 71% water and 29% matter and therefore the Moon, the closest of the heavenly bodies has considerable effects on the living beings. It may be interesting to note that chloride, fluoride, phosphate and sulphate salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and potassium constituting the birth salts of those born in the twelve Sun signs are also the functional requirements for human and animal metabolisms. Since the Sun sign periods are overlapping between consecutive calendar months of a year, the Birth Salts of two consecutive Sun signs would be beneficial to those born in between the two signs. Each part of the human body is made up of a specific organ which in turn is essentially powered by the pre-dominant ionic exchange of particular element, required for its function. Any malfunctioning of an organ is fundamentally linked to restriction to the flow / exchange of the ions / energy and such malfunctioning can be rectified through the supply of such specific ions or nutrition to the organ in
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minute quantities in molecular exchangeable forms. Dietary minerals are naturally extracted by the plants from the soil and plants are consumed by humans and animals directly or indirectly. Calcium occurs mainly in teeth, bones and in blood plasma and other body fluids influencing nerve transmission, blood clotting and muscle contraction. Calcium is best absorbed by the body in association with vitamin D. Phosphorus is present in every individual cell in compounds such as nucleic acids and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. Phosphorus is closely allied to calcium in teeth and bones. Magnesium is also present in every cell and is essentially required for carbohydrate and protein synthesis, cell reproduction and smooth muscular actions. Sodium a component of extra cellular fluid maintains the critical acid-base balance, ionic permeability across cell membranes and in muscle functions. Potassium, found in intra and extra cellular fluid, plays a major role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, in heart muscle activities, in carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis. Chlorine, a constituent of extra cellular fluid along with Sodium, maintains fluid-electrolyte and acid-base balance. Chlorine, in the form of hydrochloric acid is present in the stomach where it provides an acidic environment for breaking up the food constituents for easy digestion. Sulfur, an important constituent of all proteins is necessary for energy metabolism, enzymatic functions and detoxification. Other minerals such as Iron, Iodine, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Fluorine, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium and Zinc are also required by human body in the synthesis of essential metabolites. Requirement for other minerals such as Boron, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, Bismuth, Rubidium, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten, Strontium by the human body has also been reported but not experimentally confirmed to certainty. It is immaterial whether nutritional supplementation is carried out through kind of chemical formulations under various systems of Ayurvedic, Chinese, Tibetan, Unani, Homeopathic or Allopathic brand names. The most essential point being that the targeted supplementation in adequate quantity is assimilated by the body or the particular organ most effectively and in the shortest possible time. This is probably the reason why some specific formulations of nutrition supplements formulated and marketed under all the established systems of medicines are potentially more
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effective against one or the other disorder. No wonder, we find statistically large number of persons including medical physicians reposing their faith in all these forms of medicinal systems. It is however tragic that the practitioners of these systems instead of experimentally verifying and complementing each other are very often scornful and look down upon the other with contempt and suspicion. It is worth remembering that all systems of medicines were evolved in different parts of the world and in different climatic and ecological environments. The formulations of nutritional supplements prepared, marketed and administered were perhaps the best compromise at that time depending upon the knowledge about the availability and source of the required ingredients. The purpose and objective of all systems of medicine is to supply proper nutrition to the affected part of the body or its organ and definitely there should be no conflict for supremacy of one system over the other. What is true about the linkage of nutritional supplementation with functions of a body organ, is equally true about the supplementation of the essential amino acids, minerals, proteins and vitamins that carry out the most intricate and exhaustive functions of our metabolism and immune systems efficiently. The master control that directs human thoughts and actions is the brain, an elaborate circuitry of over hundred billion interconnected nerve cells activating transmission and reception of signals of hormonal messages to various organs at a naturally controlled constant temperature. A fluctuating brain temperature (in case of severe infections) leads to erratic and unpredictable reactions. Mineral and nutritional supplementation of human body therefore lies at the base of healthy functional tissues, nerves, bones, muscles and cells of various organs. Prolonged imbalance in any of the various normal dietary nutritional components can lead to causation of various forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson disease, paralysis, and disorder of secretion glands, function of kidneys and cataract of the eye lens. Most essential nutrients are required in small quantities and are usually stored and re-used by the body. As a result, unlike the urge sensed immediately by the body for water and oxygen rich fresh air, the absence of essential nutrients
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usually takes long time to lead to the development of symptoms and dietary deficiency linked diseases. In the process an individual is often caught unaware to fall an easy prey to diseases of various kinds. Voluntary nutritional supplementation by all the ‘health-conscious’ enlightened individuals is therefore an Insurance Policy that will ensure and deliver maturity benefits of health, vigour, vitality and freedom from diseases in life only to yourself than to your nominees. Any compromise or neglect on this account due to constraints on money or time can be disastrous in later part of the life. Whereas appropriate intake levels of each dietary mineral must be sustained to maintain good physical health, excessive intake of dietary minerals, proteins or vitamins may also lead to toxicity and illness directly or indirectly. In large doses, some vitamins have been documented to cause temporary vitamin poisoning with side effects such as nausea; diarrhea and vomiting particularly from the vitamin supplement formulations and can be reverted back with reduction of doses. Over dose of Iron for example, leads to excessive production of free radicals beyond the handling capacity of the antioxidant system of the body with consequent removal of Copper. Like wise, some nutrients need the presence of other for their efficient absorption by the body. High protein, high phosphate foods and vitamin K deficiency cause increased excretion of Calcium from the body through urine. Free radicals get easily formed when a covalent bond between entities gets broken with one electron remaining with each of the newly formed atom. As a result, Free radicals are very highly reactive and form a chain of highly damaging super oxide radicals via electron escape with consumption of oxygen and increasing the rate of metabolic reactions several folds. In the absence of adequate endogenous antioxidant supplementation, the body suffers severe damage to muscles and recovery under normal circumstances may take a long time. In view of these considerations, the best strategy for comprehensive nutrition would be to periodically rotate nutritional supplementation with time gaps or vary according to the physical condition and age of the individual.
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Since the science of health and wellbeing today is focused more on prevention and control than cure of diseases in securing good health for a majority of human population, the role of dietary nutrition need not be over emphasized. Eastern and particularly the Indian wisdom since time immemorial say that for healthy living, one has to align himself with the flow of the universe because almost all diseases are due to the patients being out of balance with the laws that govern it. It is here lays the intimate connection between man and the cosmic universe of which he is an integral part. Man has adopted himself for survival on various kinds of diet depending upon geographic location, climatic conditions and availability of flora and fauna. Excessive economic greed, commercialization, diversification in product range, processing and preservation technologies, vigorous marketing, breach of traditional market barriers, consumer preference, alarming growth in human population, very hectic life styles and increasing dependence on processed and preserved food for survival, have changed the strategy of securing healthy living in almost all countries of the world. It is therefore very likely that a food nutritional supplement found effective to a person living in tropical climatic locations may not do so for the one living in desert or freezing climatic conditions and vice versa. This point is important to be noted because food intake and its effective digestion by the body’s metabolism are mediated to a great extent by the external environmental conditions and mental strategies to combat them for survival. Human body constitutes extremely complex and intricately delicate systems with wonderfully coordinated physical movements, food digestion and immunity for defense against diseases, pathological infection and adaptation to sudden changes in external environmental conditions. All of these being initiated by the various glands and controlled through chemical reactions of innumerable kind, transport of chemical ions, radicals, molecule of gaseous elements and flow of electrical energy across cell membranes of individual tissues, muscles, nerves and organelles. Taking only temperature as an example, it is remarkably puzzling why our bodies and those of most mammals and birds maintain a uniformly constant average daily temperature close to 37.5 degrees Celsius irrespective of our living in the Arctic or the African Sahara desert. It is believed that hypothalamus, a tiny organ located deep inside the
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brain sets the temperature thermostat, controls secretions and dictates many of the key metabolic functions by adjusting water, sugar and fat levels in our body besides guiding the release of hormones which inhibit and enhance our activities. The outer skin is believed to be directly in connection with the hypothalamus through peripheral nervous system and the underlying capillary blood vessels. Signals from these two sources are integrated in the thermoregulatory section of the hypothalamus with simultaneous secretion of hormones to control retention or dissipation of heat in the body system. Signals to brain suggest behavioral changes for immediate action like shedding or putting on more clothes on the person. Whereas, internal temperature varies between organs depending upon the nature of metabolism and the rate and amount of blood flow, liver is recognized to be the hottest organ maintaining temperature close to 40.5 degree Celsius followed by the heart pumping blood through the veins and arteries. All these variations can be distinctly seen and marked with the help of thermal infrared photography. The night vision binoculars used by the armies in detecting intrusion are indeed based on these realties. Business of formulation and manufacture of nutritional supplements with proper blend of antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids is therefore not an easy task. It requires a back up from scientifically and academically oriented, critical, skillful, dedicated and high caliber team of multi-disciplinary scientists. It is left to the discretion of the reader to find out which organization qualifies this requirement for reposing confidence in the quality of their products. Sunlight is known to consist of electromagnetic radiations of seven visible colours of characteristic wavelength and frequencies. Since all these colours originate from the fire, they make up for the unbalanced component of it within a body and restore health by stimulating pituary and pineal glands and regulating hormones. Colours of all shades have been emphatically demonstrated to be stimulating various functions in human body such as mood, temper, relaxation, liver, digestion, kidney, appetite and memory. No wonder, use of colours in every day life has become extremely important in invoking positive reactions from our surroundings and from those we interact with. Similarly, characteristic molecules of odours and aromas of
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various substances including flowers also stimulate sensations, secretions from various glands and physiological and biochemical metabolism through the olfactory nerves and tissues, both colour and aroma therapies today have become the complementary part of the Wellness Industry and those affected are deriving relief to a large extent. Human beings have been known to exist since thousands of years on the physical, the emotional and the spiritual levels. These three levels are not only interrelated but are equally important for total health of an individual. Imbalance or deficiency of any kind in any one of these levels is reflected back in the form of mental, physical or spiritual sickness. Whereas, Spiritual level demands a happy and positive attitude under any situation, emotional level demands thorough control over mind, emotions and thoughts and the physical level demands to be cool and composed in all our actions. The three levels also constitute the cardinal principles for healthy living on the Earth and most of the enlightened people from all countries of the world are not only subscribing to this philosophy but are voluntarily coming forward to propagate it. It is the conviction of the author of this article that promotion of these three cardinal principles should not be left only to the preachers of various religions but must form the first lesson in every household, school, college and university before anything else is taught to a child or student as a conscious moral responsibility of both the parents and the teachers alike. As enlightened citizens responsible for shaping the destiny of future generations, let us join hands together in spreading awareness about nutrition to secure wellness for millions of malnourished children and individuals who live in this country. (Reprinted From ‘University News’, Weekly Journal of Higher Education of the Association of the Indian Universities, New Delhi, Vol 45, No. 28, July 9-15, 2007, pp 8-13 &16.) The article is based on the information contained in the following books and references : 1. ‘Rashi Chakra’ (Cycle of Sun signs) in Marathi By Sharad Upadhey, Ranga Bahar, Mumbai, 1997, pp 216.
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2. ‘Tumchey Rog Barey Karnaari Bara Aaushadhe’ (Twelve Medicines that cure your Diseses) in Marathi, D.S. Deodhar, Raghuvanshi Prakashan, Mumbai, pp 71. 3. ‘Uapaya Tumchaya Haataat’ (Remedy lays in your hands) in Marathi, By Malati Joshi, Ruchi Prakashan, Mumbai, 2003, pp 98. 4. ‘Future Youth, How to reverse the ageing process’ Edited by Carol Keough, Rajendra Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, Indian Edition, 1994, pp 646. 5. ‘Back to the Nature for Healthy Living’ By A.P. Dewan, A. C. Publishers Pvt. Ltd, In association with the Nature and Yoga Health Centre, Servants of People Society, New Delhi, 1996, pp 189. 6. ‘The Power of Colour’ By Morton Walker, B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, 1998, pp 180. 7. ‘Einstein’s Refrigerator: Tales of Hot and Cold’, By Gino Segre, Allen Lane, Penguine Books, 2002, pp 300. 8. ‘Magic Furnace’ By Marcus Chown, Vintage, 2000, pp 232. 9. ‘Epigenetic regulation of protein biosynthesis by scale resonance’ By Sternheimer Joel, 1993, Lecture, Kanagawa Science Academy and Teikyo Hospital, Tokyo, May 20. 10. ‘The effects of sound on living organisms: Applications in agriculture’ By Yannick Van Doorne, Ecosonic, BP 27, 01400 Chatillon Sur Chalaronne, France. E-mail . 11. ‘Under the weather-How the weather and climate affect our health’ By Pat Thomas, 2004, Fusion Press & Division of Satin Publications Ltd. London, pp 258.
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4. Physics in Agriculture and Agricultural Physics as Profession (History, Philosophy, Present Status and Future Prospects)
Introduction The smallest distance man has been able to measure in the science of elementary particle physics is of the order of 10-14 cm and the largest to which he has been able to fathom into the vast expanse of the universe with the help of telescopes, is of the order of 1028 cm. The void between these two dimensions, representing two extreme infinities is known to be filled with only two kinds of fundamental entities called the energy and matter in various forms and magnitude of un-imaginable dimensions. In fact, any event taking place in the universe is nothing more than a manifestation of the inter-play between matter and energy. The range from 10–14 to 1028 i.e. 1042 cm also represents the limits of human knowledge and the domain within which, a physicist explores the mysteries of nature, its purpose and its relation with human beings and animals, plants and other surrounding materials. The figure 1042, is so incredibly large that only man can either comprehend it or attempt to do so. Electromagnetic energy, predominantly in the form of light, connects the two infinities together and provides information about the distant worlds. A physicist therefore, who concerns himself to any event that takes place at various levels between these limits of infinities, is called by various names such as a cosmologist, Heliosphysicist, astrophysicist, cosmic ray physicist, atmospheric physicist, meteorologist, environmental physicist, geologist, soil physicist, mineralogist, metallurgist, solid state physicist, nuclear physicist, elementary particle physicist, theoretical physicist, meta-physicist, biophysicist or even molecular biophysicist and so on. Man, on the face of the earth, lives in a world of material things of diverse kinds and the ultimate purpose of his existence being to understand their behaviour and how the events in this world of material things are interlinked for the survival of plant, animal, insect and humankinds. It is the unabated curiosity in man that has kept the developments going on and evolution of human knowledge expanding.
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Basic and applied sciences The division into natural and applied sciences is not a natural division by branches of knowledge. Physicists who study the laws of scattering of elementary particles, chemists who study the laws governing the formation and breaking of chemical bonds in molecules, biologists using an electron microscope to study the ultra-structure of plant and animal cells and those of the viruses are all workers in the continuum of knowledge. A physicist designing a nuclear reactor, a chemist improving the properties of polyethylene, a selectionist / breeder producing a new animal breed- are according to our classification are different. However, this classification is arbitrary and any attempt to treat all physicists as physicists and all chemists as chemists leads to misconceptions and disastrous conditioning of the human mind. Several instances of recruitment to innumerable positions of scientists within the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, challenged and pending for judicial review in the past and in recent years prove the fact of the fallacy in that even migration from a related sub-discipline of so called agricultural sciences to other sub-discipline is subject to contest in courts of law. Recruitment in Agricultural Universities to positions of scientists, lecturers, assistant professors and professors from the pure basic sciences stand almost prohibited. On the other hand, it is travesty of the situation in that we take pride when our highly trained talented engineers from the prestigious Institutes of Technologies, instead of taking to the creative jobs for which the nation invested heavily in their training, start selling oils and soap cakes for the corporate sectors, a job that can be handled by persons with lesser qualification. Clearly, such wasteful diversion and under-employment of our qualified engineers for the sake of monetary benefits will have disastrous consequences for the nation in the long run and amounts to discouraging development and promotion of indigenous competitive technologies and entrepreneurial activities. It is equally tragic, that our so called industrialists, government functionaries and the society at large should not give due respect, dignity and monetary reward to those who continue to be engaged in creative jobs and serve the society and keep the institutions running. It is clearly obvious that our youth today are driven more by the lure for money and not necessarily by any motivation, conviction, desire or sincere interest in the profession for which they acquired their degrees and certificates.
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The situation can certainly be remedied if disparities in monetary benefits between employees of private and public sectors for equivalent qualifications and experience required for the job is minimized or removed. The elements of human psychology and human rights must receive greater consideration in evolving our personnel, administrative and economic policies. However, the fact is that in spite of our ancient traditions and philosophy of highest standing, a common Indian citizen in general, continues to hold persons in positions of authority in higher esteem in preference over scholarship and wisdom.. Classification on the basis of branches of knowledge remains largely among researchers engaged in applied science and we shall never be able to understand the basic trends of its development if we continue with the outdated habit of building fences to separate physicists from chemists, biologists and even economists and psychologists. A characteristic feature of the developments in physical and applied sciences, particularly in the last two hundred years are the unlimited energy options made available to mankind which have destroyed the artificially erected boundaries between different chapters of natural science. No wonder, chemical reactions, biological processes, phenomena of the inanimate world are now being studied by the same methods and techniques and proceed from common theoretical premises. Physical laws are therefore the undercurrent of all creations in the universe as the ‘Unified Field’ is believed to be the only source behind the physical universe and all creations on the surface of the earth. Even a cursory look at the contributions of all the Nobel Laureates of the world will reveal that they clinched issues in their respective areas of research only by straying away into different disciplines. It is therefore not surprising that Nobel awards for some of the epoch making discoveries should have gone to physicists working in biological, medical and even in social sciences. There is therefore, only one Physics! It has been created by and is a description of nature itself. The rest of the disciplines are only the parts of this continuum of knowledge. However, long before any physics was known, religions of various shades emerged out of human fears and ignorance and they have persisted till today. Even so, it may be curiously observed that all shades of religious thoughts in their original, un-perverted states are very close to the nature and its laws. Promoting
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and strengthening the teaching of physics irrespective of profession or disciplines in relation to the complex manifestation and flow of energy and matter and their conservation is the bounden duty of all civilized citizens, government agencies and religious preachers. The interpretations of the religious teachings also must evolve, change and progress with the new developments in sciences and particularly physics and technology. This is the only way to dispel fears of various kinds, ignorance, superstitions, doubts, misbelieves and hatred and look to universal reality. There would have been no merit if the Church had continued to profess Geo-Centric Universe in the 21 st century and they realized and accepted the reality on merits of scientific truth, although this acceptance came much after, some of the best brains in scientific philosophy were persecuted, tortured and sacrificed to death at the altar of religious dogmatism. Agricultural sciences In an attempt to strengthen agricultural research and education in India on modern scientific foundations, the British-India Government established five agricultural colleges around the beginning of the twentieth century located in various agroecological zones of the country. Of these five, three have remained in India and two went to Pakistan after the partition in 1947. The scientific and research manpower and teaching faculty to run them, was largely drawn from the basic natural disciplines. There was a free flow of personnel from one discipline to the other. What was important being the convictions, scientific honesty and sense of purpose. Elevation of a person, who held no formal university degrees and yet a creditable record of contribution to science, to the post of the Director of the Indian (then Imperial) Agricultural Research Institute could only be possible during the British regime in India. It is doubtful if new mesh of rules framed in Independent India would have given him even the position of a clerk under similar situations. In spite of the knowledge that science of raising crops on commercial scale for food and fodder is essentially a multidisciplinary activity, several agricultural universities established in the country in almost all the states further divided the
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continuum of knowledge into narrow areas of inflexible specialties. Physics, as a natural philosophy and physical laws permeate through all the activities of crop production from sowing and germination of seeds to the harvest and subsequent packing and storage of produce for contingencies. And yet, the important role of physics, directly or indirectly is still being ignored and seldom appreciated in full measure at a time when physics is increasingly making major contributions to agriculture, developing new instrumentation, intensive mechanization and better understanding of the fundamental processes of crop and animal husbandry. The development of tractors, understanding of the role of fertilizers and the revelation of the genetic code, nearly revolutionized the 20 th century agriculture and physics shared not only the credit for all the solutions of technological problems but penetrated deep into biology to change the very base of this science. The developments and applications of sophisticated instruments like the X-Ray diffractometer, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscope, chromatographic techniques, computers, computing technologies and mathematical & statistical theories helped in the emergence of a new hybrid discipline of biology called the- Biological Physics – Bio-Physics. This process of development is likely to continue unabated in the 21 st century to form a new base for revolutionary agriculture. Challenging job opportunities are waiting for physicists willing to make career in agriculture in raising crops and maximizing yields for not only the dwellers on earth but also in space vehicles or in future colonies on the surface of the moon for survival of the astronauts. And certainly, all this can never be achieved without a fundamental understanding of physics and its laws. Simple basic experiments conducted today are likely to give rise to essential technologies of tomorrow and they include areas in plant growth under low and high gravity conditions, food technology, processing, packaging, preservation, precision agriculture, quality evaluation and certification of agricultural produce as raw material for industries, bio-informatics and molecular genomics, Bio-molecular identification, isolation, purification, characterization, structure determination, preservation, storage and search for their applications is another area where the role of a trained physicist can be visualized in close cooperation with other disciplines. Any talk of
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intellectual property right protection, bio-diversity and such related issues without physical, genetic and bio-molecular characterization will receive no consideration and credibility. The ICAR as an advisory and regulatory body for research and education in agriculture, should assign as a conscious policy, the job of total bio-molecular, bio-physical and genomic characterization of at least five indigenous region specific plant varieties to an identified agricultural university located in that region, within a given time frame. The post-graduate students on fellowships under the guidance of an identified Scientist who can organize and motivate the best competence on this job as a long term continued project. The student in the process will get his education, training, his degree or certificate and the nation, the required vital database for reserving rights and filing necessary patents. Besides, the project will generate a pool of trained human resource to carry out such a job on continued basis at a rapid pace than the initial start. It is not the purpose here to suggest that all jobs in agricultural disciplines must be entrusted to physicists but to only drive the point that all workers in agricultural fields irrespective of their disciplines, must necessarily have coaching in fundamental physics. The science we are used to recognize as biology or agriculture is in fact, gradually evolving into a multidisciplinary new subject of ‘Integrative Biology’ in passing through a period of reconstruction on a unified foundation. A massive list of research publications originating from the division of Agricultural Physics in forty years of its existence as a discipline would reveal the extent of the range of problems addressed by the scientists and students at the interface within soil-plant-water-atmosphere continuum. However, with time and changing circumstances, all research problems need to be studied and analyzed with greater mathematical precision and physical logic to the extent it can be possible. Today, Quantum theory has forced us to use probability rather than certainty as the conception in terms of which one describes events and usually in a great many cases, this probability is so great that it almost amounts to certainty. There are only two ways of conducting a multidisciplinary research; either the researcher must foster a close cooperation between workers committed to solving a particular problem from related disciplines or evolve himself into a multidisciplinary
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specialist by diversifying his personal interest in borderline subjects and their techniques and conduct his research. Perhaps the second option is better, quick and reliable because of the fact that it reflects the explicit inter-disciplinary connectivity of the original thinker. Very few of our State Agricultural Universities have initiated strong groups or programs in teaching and research in physics oriented agricultural problems. However, neglect or ignorance is no bliss and nature inflicts harsh penalties to those who willingly or otherwise go against its laws. On setting the first foot on the moon surface, we can never boast that man conquered the space, on the contrary, we reached there only because we adhered very strictly to the laws laid down by Nature. Importance of physics and IARI-initiative in promoting Physics in agriculture The Indian Agricultural Research Institute, popularly known by the name of the village Pusa- in Bihar, where it was first established in 1905 AD, was shifted to the present campus in New Delhi in 1936 AD, following a major earthquake that destroyed its magnificent building in 1934. Professor E. Wollny in Germany was the first to have mooted and evolved initial concepts of Agricultural Physics as an integrated subject. He is also known to have published a ‘Journal of Agricultural Physics’ regularly between 1877 to 1898. Professor Franklin Hiram King at the University of Wisconsin in the Unites States of America actually held the position of Professor of Agricultural Physics from 1888 to 1902 and made some fundamental contribution in almost all applications of physics to agriculture but largely to soil physics particularly water-holding capacities, moisture requirement of plants,soil aeration and water movement in soils, movement of ground water and draft of ploughs. F.H. King also published in 1901 his book ‘Physics of agriculture’ and his most celebrated contribution ‘Farmers of forty centuries’ in 1911 and is rightly considered to be the father of soil physics in USA. Professor Inagaki, Japanese Physicist is reported to had published his book in 1905, entitled-‘Agricultural Physics’ hybridizing disciplines of physics, plantbiology, chemistry and meteorology together and their applications in agriculture.
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However, Schubler in 1838 is credited with the first ever-systematic studies of the physical properties of soils. The book by Inagaki was followed by several excellent texts such as ‘Soil Physics’ by L.D. Beaver in 1940 and 1948; ‘Agricultural Physics’ by C.W. Rose in 1966; and ‘Advanced Soil Physics’ by Don Kirk ham and W.L. Powers published in 1972, which helped in putting the subject of Agricultural Physics on sound scientific foundations. Establishment of the Division of Agricultural Physics In one of the most foresighted decisions, taken within the first decade after the shifting of the institute to Delhi, a small nucleus cell- ‘Physics in agriculture’ was created in 1948 with the selection and appointment of Dr. C. Dakshinamurti to the newly created post of Experimental Physicist in the erstwhile Division of Agricultural Chemistry. Dr. J.N. Mukherjee the then Director-IARI and Prof. K.S. Krishnan, Director of the National Physical Laboratory played a very crucial role in the introduction of physics teaching in the institute. This cell- on ‘Physics in Agriculture’ was subsequently expanded into a ‘Unit of Physics’ in 1955 during the second five year plan of the institute. Here again, the scheme for establishment of the ‘unit of physics’ was blessed by none other than Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the architect of Indian Nuclear Programme and to whom the scheme was referred for comments and approval by the then Director-IARI, Dr. B.P. Pal. This unit of physics, almost immediately after its establishment, successfully organized the first ever International Training Course on the ‘Applications of Radioisotopes and Radiations in Agriculture’. Participants from eighteen countries were sponsored for this training. Mandate for regular organization of this course on was subsequently given to the Nuclear Research Laboratory (NRL), which was later established at IARI in 1969 under the UNDP-IAEA-Government of India joint program on Nuclear Research in Agriculture. Dr. C. Dakshinamurti, played a key role in drawing the blue-print and infrastructure plan for the NRL by putting sophisticated physical instruments such as an electron microscope, mass spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, multi-channel analyser, atomic absorption
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spectrometer and gamma irradiation cell facility besides an ultra-modern laboratory for carrying our isotopic research and plant growth chambers for controlled environmental conditions under one roof. These facilities were backed up by very strong multidisciplinary groups of researchers in physics, biochemistry, plantphysiology, plant-pathology, entomology, somatic cell genetics, soil mineralogy and fertility with a basic objective of carrying out collaborative research to understand the physical processes that control plant growth and yield and possibly evolve technologies for sustainable crop production. Dr. C. Dakshinamurti, with a very foresighted vision was also instrumental in preparing later the blue print for establishment of a permanent Water Technology Center at IARI to study all aspects of water requirement of diverse crops, availability, use-efficiency, economy, methods of application, harvesting, drainage and ground water recharge, surface runoff conservation and management of the most precious natural resource. How prophetic and timely this decision was is evident from the depleting per hectare water availability in the country for agriculture today. In the year 1962, a permanent research and teaching division of ‘Agricultural Physics’ was created for the first time in the country in IARI, vide Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Government of India Order No. 21-59 / 62-Instt. Dated 28 th June 1962 and Dr. C. Dakshinamurti assumed the charge of the division as its founder Head of the division and simultaneously, Agricultural Physics becoming a regular faculty discipline of the Post Graduate School for training M.Sc. and Ph.D. level courses. The division soon got sufficient funds for further expansion and several celebrated physicists like Dr. Y.V. Kathavate (student of Sir C.V. Raman), Dr. A.R. Deb, Dr. S.C. Mehta, Dr. G.S.R. Krishnamurti, Dr. R.P. Gupta, Dr. V.A.K. Sarma, Dr. B.C. Panda, Dr. Nam Prakash, Dr. P.S.N. Sastry, Dr. Y.N. Rao and Dr. D.K. Das found placement in the division. Some other faculty members of Physics located in other division of IARI like DR. P.N. Tiwari, Dr. Jagadish Bahadur, Dr. A.K. Sinha and Dr. T.N. Chaudhary also contributed to finding new applications of physics in agriculture in areas of biophysics, ground water and soil physics. The four major groups at the time of the establishment of the division were
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(i) soil physics (ii) environmental physics (iii) plant-biophysics and (iv) agricultural meteorology. Today, all these four sub-disciplines form the major pillars of the foundation of the edifice of agricultural physics as a discipline. All students admitted to the division are given mandatory basic courses from the sub-disciplines but the degree is awarded only in agricultural physics. Problems for the students thesis research work are usually framed in a manner that will expose the student to the importance, use and techniques of all the sub-disciplines for a comprehensive view and understanding. The mission and the mandate for the division The mission set for the division was to study the soil-plant-environment energetic for eco-friendly and sustainable exploitation of agricultural resources. Besides progressive evolving of new teaching and course material for post graduate students the mandate of the division was given to conduct strategic research for understanding the physical processes of crop plants, growing under varying soil and atmospheric environments for enhanced and sustainable agricultural productivity. First experiments in use of Remote Sensing The Division in 1970, made attempts for the first time in the country to use infrared sensitive photographic films and remote sensing techniques for detection and assessment of the extent of the spread of coconut root wilt disease in the coconut plantations along the coast of Kerala in collaboration with Dr. Arvind Summanwar of the Plant Pathology Division of IARI. The activity was supported by the joint collaborative project between the NASA, ISRO and IARI. Repeated inoculation of the cell sap from the infected coconut plants into the healthy ones, under sterilized glass house conditions exhibited symptoms of the disease and presence of rod shaped virus particles in transmission electron microscope. As an off shoot of the already existing courses on spectroscopy, it was decided to start PG level courses in fundamentals of remote sensing techniques for the first time in the country. The Division also entered into an understanding with ISRO and the Department of Space, Government of India to organize regular summer / winter schools on various aspects of remote sensing for natural resource management and until 2003, the division had organized twelve such schools.
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Under the direction of Professor S.K. Sinha, the division collaborated in identifying and defining various parameters for space borne system and for use in agricultural resource management. The division evolved several important relationships between crop characteristics and spectral reflectance from crop canopies, validated several correlations and developed new indices for crop discrimination from remote sensing data. Many simulation crop growth models were improved with incorporation of remotely sensed data for yield prediction Valuable assistance has been received from the National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad and the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad in the form of providing satellite imageries, delivering special guest lectures on specific topics for the benefit of the PG students, in evaluation of the research work carried out by the students in the area of remote sensing and during regular winter schools arranged by the division. Early significant studies carried out in the division and pertinent contribution Some of early work carried out in the division include; demonstration of sodium bentonite bed layer at the base of irrigation water storage and fish culture tanks to effectively prevent seepage of water from them; development of a physical method using electrical conductivity for determination of cation exchange capacity of soils and clays using the isoconductivity concept; development of soil compaction technique for light soils for arresting percolation losses and chiseling technique for breaking the hardpan in heavy soils to ease effective drainage and percolation; development of heliothermalunit, heat use efficiency and phenothermal indices using thermal time concept; development of new very accurate spectrophotometric methods for trace determination of iron, titanium and alluminion from soils and plant materials; development of negentropy production –based crop simulation model and application of chaos theory in crop and weather modeling; effect of electric fields, deep vacuum and irradiation with strong electron beams (in Electron Microscope column) on the germination of wheat seeds and plant growth; development of crop suitability maps for Delhi and surrounding areas based on climatic water balance technique; identification of cellulose crystallite orientation factor from X-Ray diffraction as the best index for characterization of cotton fibres for fibre tenacity and use in breeding program for evolving high tenacity cotton. And use of normalized moisture hysteresis curves for identification of wheat varieties for rain fed cultivation. The
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Division was also one of the first in the country acquire and put to use, transmission electron microscope (Philips EM-100 model) in 1954. The early studies identified several fungi, algae, bacterial cells, plant and insect viruses known to be causing pathogenesis in plants. The Division also developed new techniques and modified a large number of the existing ones for preparation of specimens for observation in the microscope. Some of these are so classic that these are being sought even today for practical use. Human resource development Ever since its establishment in 1962, more than two hundred (200) students have passed out of the division with Masters or Doctorate degrees and almost all of these students have been permanently absorbed in national institutions of research and education besides the State Agricultural Universities and in the Agricultural Research Service of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Indian Meteorological Department, Department of Science and Technology, National Remote Sensing Agency are some of organizations where the students with degree in Agricultural Physics are doing extremely well. A good number of students from the Division have been absorbed out side the country in some of the most innovative projects. Although much in the field of education depends on the individual merit of the student, the institutions play no smaller role in creating infrastructure and provide opportunities to students for effective learning, provide motivation, inspire for seeking excellence in life and equip to face challenges in practical life. And the Division of Agriculture Physics provides all these in fairly good measure, besides the freedom to students so vital in building their confidence, imagination and vision. Who can seek admission to Agricultural physics As has been said above, physics is the under current of all disciplines and therefore any meritorious, knowledge hungry student who has keen interest in understanding the physical processes that go into the study of any problem in biology or agriculture and has an inner urge to learn physics, prepared to put in hard work and is interested in all related border line disciplines to take a holistic view of problems is welcome. However, a student with initial training preferably in physics, biophysics, chemistry,
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botany, meteorology, plant physiology, engineering will find it more advantageous to make a quick beginning in that he saves time in learning initial concepts of physics before relating them to the problem in hand. There is so much to learn from biological structures that nature creates, with most optimum energy and minimal entropy. The admission to both M.Sc. and Ph.D. courses is through an open all India competitive entrance examinations conducted separately by the ICAR for M.Sc. and by IARI for the Ph.D. courses respectively. The number of seats are very limited only three seats for M.Sc. and Four for Ph.D. The advertisement to this effect generally appears in all the leading newspapers in March and examinations are held in the month of May every year. The principal advantage of being a student in IARI being that every student is awarded fellowship to pursue his / her studies besides a separate contingency grant for purchase of chemicals, glassware and other items required for research work and a book grant to buy essential books for his continued reference all his life. The IARI library is a treasure house of the exclusive literature on agriculture and has some of the oldest and rare books from the time commercial publications began in the form of machine printing. A very quick, on the spot, reprography counter provides Xerox, photo copy of the required articles at reasonable rates to students and a very quick literature survey on CD-ROM facility. The IARI-library is also in the process of being linked to the libraries of all the State Agricultural Universities in the country in a national network. When completed, the vast pool of literature will be available to any researcher at the click of a button. Forty years for a discipline is a fairly long period to demonstrate the utility and usefulness of the subject matter specialty and more than two hundred of our students working in important positions in several organizations is the testimony. A large number of the National level awards for out standing post graduate research coming to the Division also indicates the national priority and level of problems handled by our students. It is only hoped that the authorities in all the State Agricultural Universities will realize the potential, importance and utility of teaching physics in their universities and establish separate departments of physics and integrate them with other disciplines at the earliest. (Reproduced from The University News, A Weekly Journal of Higher Education, Association of Indian Universities, 2005, Vol. 43 (06) 7-12.)
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5. Through the Apparent Nature: A Random Walk in Solitude “If an egg is broken with outside force; A Life ends. If an egg breaks from within; A Life begins. Great things always begin from within and certainly not without an inner urge”
1. Introduction It is now known that the whole universe is filled with only matter and energy consisting of roughly 76% hydrogen, 23% helium and 1% other elements. And this energy and matter is manifested in various kinds, forms, chaos, order and shapes that curiously constitute the subject matter of study by various scientists called by different specialized names. Classical physicists recognized matter and energy as separate entities and studied them separately in various contexts. Albert Einstein, from his revolutionary ‘Theory of Relativity’ integrated matter and energy to be interchangeable entities related by his famous equation; E = m .C 2, where E stands for energy, m for the mass of matter and C for the velocity of light. Further, the entire mass of matter present within the currently known limits of our universe i.e. from 10 -14 cm to 10 28 cm, is created, manifested, sustained and destroyed with the help of only four kinds of forces identified by physicists as; the ‘Gravity Force’ (that keeps the planets moving perpetually in their orbits), the ‘Electromagnetic Force’ (that keeps our radio, television, communication network beaming and blaring etc.), the ‘Weak Nuclear Force’ (that manifest certain types of radioactivity), and the ‘Strong Nuclear Force’ (that hold the protons and other nucleons in the nucleus of atoms together). No matter, what ever we try to investigate, it is mediated only by one, or more, of these four forces. A fifth force of the ‘attractive type’ has also been contemplated by physicists that acts directly on the matter itself and differs from the attractive force of Gravity which acts on the amount and mass of matter. At this stage, I have no direct experimental proof or indication and I may even be wrong, but I have a strong feeling and I intuitively feel, that the ‘Electric Charge’ which is all
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pervading within the universe may indeed be the most elusive ‘Consciousness’ which lays at the base of all organic or inorganic material creation. It is the charge that leads to formation of atoms of specific elements, molecules and molecular structures. It is the charge that helps in transporting atomic ions and molecules across the biological cells, cell membranes, tissues, muscles and organs of living creatures. It is indeed the electric charge that generates electric and consequently magnetic fields which interact and drive creations, forms and functions. Absence of electric charge culminates into inaction or what we refer to as the inert or death. This seems logical in that when all the four fundamental forces of nature have revealed themselves, what can be a reason for the so called ‘Consciousness’ to be so elusive, unless we have failed to recognize this in its disguise as the ‘electric charge’? A huge cloud of dense electric charge and the field generated by it, though physically invisible, makes its presence felt over large distances and even moves huge masses of matter. Although serious ingenious attempts have revealed the occurrence of fractions of unit charge carried by an electron or a proton their independent existence has not been detected and unit quantity of charge on an electron (e = 1.6021765 X 10
-19
coulomb) is
fundamentally quantized and conserved in accordance with the principle of conservation of charge. Mae-Wan Ho in his wonderful book ‘The Rainbow and the worm: The physics of organisms’ has rightly put it that “Knowledge is all of a piece. In particular, it is all of a piece with the knowing consciousness, so there can be no a priori dualism between consciousness and science. Far from implying that consciousness must be ‘reduced’ to physics and chemistry, I see physics and chemistry evolving more and more under the guidance of an active consciousness that participates in knowing”. Knowing all this, makes our job as a research scientist, irrespective of our subject specialty or object of investigation, so much easier. Every thing that we observe, desire to acquire, investigate, research, quantitatively measure and attempt to modify, is in some way or the other dependent on the ‘Four Forces’ of nature that run the universe. 1.1. The Natural Elements It is generally believed that as the expanding universe grew, galaxies and stars got formed with condensation of cosmic energy into matter under the pull of
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gravitational forces. In case of huge masses, the gravitational pull was strong enough to generate temperatures of several millions of degrees Celsius at the centre of the condensed matter to initiate a hydrogen-to-helium reaction and several other nuclear reactions with formation of basic atomic-elemental matter with distinct identities and characteristic properties, e.g. carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, neon, which in turn combine further to form silicon, sulfur, magnesium etc. with consequent release of more amount of energy with the progress of nuclear fusion and finally ending with the formation of Iron-56 (where 56 is the number of positive protons in the nucleus of the atom and is called the atomic number). Converting Iron-56 into still heavier atomic-elements requires absorption of more and more energy. Consequently, normal stars do not therefore, produce elements heavier than Iron. They are only formed when the stars explode and scatter their contents throughout the galaxies. Light (in the form of electromagnetic energy) emitted by stars, provide clues about the presence of elements they contain, and forms the first principle of optical spectroscopic analytical techniques and consequently of spectrophotometer, flame-photometer and such other analytical procedures. The nature of spectrum of light received from the Sun and other stars came to be recognized to be intimately related to their surface temperatures and the nature and kind of atomic-elements present on them, and their precise quantities. This knowledge led to the classification of stars such as; Blue coloured ‘O-type star’, with surface temperatures above 25000 0 C and consisting of only hydrogen and helium. Blue-White ‘B-type stars’ are cooler with surface temperatures between 11000-25000 0 C. ‘A-type stars’ are still cooler with surface temperatures ranging between 7500 to 11000 0 C. The ‘F-type stars’ are yellowwhite in colour and their surface temperature ranges from 6000 to 7500 0 C. Orange coloured ‘K-type stars with surface temperatures ranging from 3500 to 5000 0 C are dominantly indicative of the presence of metals on them. Red-coloured ‘M- type stars with surface temperatures below 3500 0 C indicate the presence of titanium dioxide. Spectral features indicating the presence of carbon compounds such as C2, CN, CH etc have been recorded from K- and M-type stars and therefore they are frequently also referred to as Carbon or C-type stars. Presence of metallic elements is therefore distinctly noticeable from their spectrum. Only 115 such natural elements
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are known to date, and not all of these are to be found on the Earth. The existence of these various kinds of atoms depends on forces and fundamental elementary particles that lie deep inside them. Their sizes, masses, properties and mutual interactions constitute the chemistry of both the animate and the inanimate material world. It is very strongly believed that the physical conditions of mass, pressure, temperature required for the creation of these elements about 15-20 billion years ago may not be possible again until the dissolution of the present universe and new beginning of the creation of new universe in its own cyclic phase of existence. Therefore, we need to be content with whichever of all these basic elements, in whatever quantities and wherever in the universe, they are available. The elements constitute the building blocks of nature from which all visible and invisible creations of both inanimate and animate kinds (so far known to only exist on the Earth, although possibility of life existing elsewhere is not ruled out) originate. How the invisible, imperceptible cosmic energy (dark energy / matter) gets formed into the visible matter is a subject of speculation, mythological and religious beliefs, cosmology, stellar chemistry, philosophy and metaphysics. The Hubble Space Telescope launched by the NASA as a watch dog on all celestial activities is unfolding practically everyday, spectacular new sights from far deeper space which were hitherto invisible to the human eye with the help of earthbound telescopes. These awesome images defy easy explanations, change our concepts and perception of space and universe and indeed are of great help in revising our theories about matter and energy manifestations. The dark matter or energy has also been contemplated to be synonym by some with the illusive ‘Fifth Force’ of nature and to the all pervading cosmic consciousness. Whatever may be the truth; Marcus Chawn in his famous book- ‘The Magic Furnace’ has beautifully summarized the connection between atoms of elements and the animate world on the Earth and I quote; “Every breath you take contains atoms forged in the blistering furnaces deep inside stars. Every flower you pick contains atoms blasted into space by the stellar explosions that blazed brighter than a billion Suns. Every book you read contains atoms blown across unimaginable gulf of space and time by the wind between the stars. From the violent death of stars to the Titanic fireballs that gave birth to the entire universe 15 billion years ago- are connected to us directly by the way of atoms
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that make up our bodies. The iron in your blood, the calcium in your bones, the oxygen that fills your lungs each time you take a breath- all were baked in the fiery ovens deep within stars and blown into space when those stars grew old and perished. Every one of us is a memorial to long-dead stars. Every one of us was quite literally made in heaven. For thousands of years, Astrologers have been telling us that our lives are controlled by the stars. Well, they were right in spirit if not in details. For science in the twentieth century has revealed that we are far more intimately connected to events in the cosmos than any one ever dared to imagine. Each and every one of us is Stardust made flesh.” And not only this, but decades of research done in the twentieth century, particularly after the dawn of the era of space science and technology is revealing very clearly that all metabolic processes in living organisms are indeed linked to astronomical periodicities such as spinning about its own axis and revolution of the earth and other planets around the sun and the moon encircling the earth. All physiological processes, metabolic clocks and internal periodic, rhythmic biological activities, in living creatures such as insects, aquatic and terrestrial animals, birds and plants are related to geo-celestial cycles. The Earth is perpetually bathed in a continuously fluctuating flow of gravitational, electric and magnetic fields from the Sun, moon, planets and huge constellations of heavenly bodies known by their arbitrarily given names. These fields powerfully affect not only the electromagnetic field of the Earth but practically every living thing on the planet. Transformations in gene structure, oxidation cycles in cellular energy systems, heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature, cellular divisions, blood and urine, levels of sugar, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and hormonal secretions from various glands, moods and emotions are all linked to the cyclic movements of the Earth, the moon and other astronomical bodies, mediated through electric charge and exchange of atomic entities. Richard Feynman, the celebrated Nobel Laureate physicist maintains that- “If in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generations of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? - Everything is made of atoms.”
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It is all the more intriguing to speculate, where was the gravitational force and for that matter also the other forces, until the moment the ‘Big-Bang’ occurred from a point mass of infinite density? Or whether the four recognized different types of forces of nature that called into play after the ‘Big Bang’ event, are only the versions of a unitary force extended over dimensions of their operational ranges? No wonder Albert Einstein spent over three decades of his life in search of this unity and attempts are still on in this direction. The Super attractive ‘Fifth Force’ operating at the boundary of the expanding universe is believed to be the primary source of all the energy in the universe and provides the four primary forces of nature, the power to govern and guide the matter and energy. Neither matter nor energy can exist in the universe without the primary forces and the physical laws. Peter Atkins in his famous book‘Four Laws that Drive the Universe’ has beautifully summarized the manifestation of the Laws of Thermodynamics in the universe and how and why from cooling of hot matter to the formulation of our thoughts takes place. And Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, identifies only ‘Six Numbers- the dimensionless constants’ from amongst several physical constants, whose quantitative values shape our universe. Two of these relate to the basic forces, two fix the size and overall ‘texture’ of our universe and its perpetual continuance and the last two fix the properties of space itself. He even explains that even miniscule deviation in values of these constants would make existence of the universe in the present form and shape impossible. The Large Hadrons Collider experiment by the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, if successful is believed and expected to throw further light in this quest for knowledge. 1.2. Relative abundance, requirement and use of natural elements Sun the only star of our solar system and the source of all energy that sustains life forms on the Earth, consists of roughly 94% hydrogen, 6% helium, and less than 0.2% of other elements. The ten most abundant elements found on the Sun, in order of their relatively decreasing amount of proportion being hydrogen, helium, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, silicon, magnesium, neon, iron and sulfur. And carbon production has been computed to be very sensitive to cosmological changes in nuclear physics. In contrast, the human body essentially requires 25 elements for efficient functioning
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of its body parts and organs and healthful living. I do not know if a clue about the ‘Extra-Terrestrial origin’ of human kind on the Earth, lays hidden here, in this fact? Water make up over 60% of our body weight and therefore oxygen and hydrogen are required in bulk. Carbon is the most important element and forms the basis of all kinds of molecules that make up the living cell in animate matter. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur elements that make up the Amino acids and account for most of our body and organ tissues are precursor to the synthesis of various other kinds of proteins, hormones and enzymes that maintain our individual metabolism, specific functions, actions of our various organs and of course molecules of all our emotions. And these are mediated by our thoughts and the superimposed environmental conditions of existence. At every step and every moment of existence, living beings whether in the form of unicellular microorganisms or multi cellular fungi, plants, insects, animals or human beings are the products of the four physical forces and have to comply with the Laws of Nature. Transgressing them either consciously or unconsciously would only be a futile venture with disastrous consequences. Knowledge of the operational forces that sustain a particular living system is therefore essential for conscious compliance and healthy existence. One may call this knowledge by whatsoever name; religious teachings or tenets of ancient religions or scientific laws and facts of our existence? Modern Science and truly religious teachings are therefore synonymously identical and not contradictory (barring some aberrations somewhere in attempts to enforce pseudo supremacy of one faith over the other as an organized group). This is more than essential to know in conducting any serious research for unraveling the truth about an object of investigation in any branch of physical science or integrative biological sciences. Many elements other than the essential ones, serve no specific purpose in most animate bodies including plants. These are absorbed in the respective bodies from the food, water, air and such other sources. Animate bodies absorb them by apparently mistaking them for the useful ones sought by them and tend to either excrete if possible, or retain the unwanted elements, relegating them to specific, metabolically inactive sites and locations within the bodies. Unless otherwise the unwanted elements are not excreted out their continued accumulation becomes the
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cause for release of free radicals, oxidative stress, disease, malfunctioning of the organs or the body as a whole. This may be exemplified with naturally radioactive element uranium which gets deposited into our bones in view of its specific affinity with phosphate molecules, which go in making of the bones along with calcium. And since, blood is synthesized within the bone marrow, excessive uranium accumulation in bones may eventually become the cause for blood cancer or other blood related diseases. Similarly, proteins present in the liver have specific affinity to bind poisonous metals like cadmium which become the cause for liver related disease or complications. Natural elements in perfectly balanced proportions are again required by human beings for various other purposes such as food nutrition supplements for healthy functioning bodies, economic well being, wars, explosives and weaponry, medical diagnostics and treatments, environment and atmosphere, water bodies and oceans and for specific industrial uses. Unless otherwise all these elements do not change in their atomic-nuclear composition, they essentially remain characteristically independent and can be easily retrieved and purified again through their specific affinities and combination chemistry. There are therefore, great industrial opportunities in recycling of any industrial waste or biomass materials. In short; our healthful and wealthy existence on the Earth depends wholly on maintaining the fine balance of natural elements governed by economic principles of barter agreements, monetary exchange, trade, transportations and commerce. 1.3 Combination / Reaction of atoms and molecules The otherwise stable and electrically neutral atoms of most natural elements combine with similar or dissimilar atoms by exchanging or sharing negatively charged electrons and forming electrovalent (ionic) and covalent bonds to form larger molecules of elements or of compounds. A majority of chemical bonds in biological molecules are of the covalent types. These Molecules can be broken up into individual atoms of elements constituting the compound. Molecules on their turn can react only when they acquire a certain critical minimum amount of energy called the activation energy, through absorption or transfer from other sources (internal or
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external) and such processes are of fundamental importance in the whole scheme of creation, sustenance and disintegration / destruction of both the animate and inanimate material world. Detection, identification and quantitative estimation of the chemical reactants of any chemical reaction, possible with the help of such instrumental analytical techniques as; Liquid-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Chromatography, Mass spectrometry, Optical, emission, absorption, fluorescence, spin resonance, photoelectron and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have come in routine use in laboratories devoted to research in ‘Integrative Biology’ irrespective of the object of study being microorganism, insects, plants, animals (aquatic or terrestrial) or human beings. Bonds between atoms and molecules have in fact nothing to do with other force such as gravity. Gravity becomes significant only when masses involved are astronomical in their size and mass. Objects with very little mass such as the protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom, produce insignificant gravitational force which practically plays no role in the formation of bonds between atoms. Another, prolific bonding mechanism in the formation of structures from atoms and molecules is the ‘Hydrogen Bond’ arising out of dipole interactions in molecules where hydrogen is bonded with an electronegative atom such as oxygen, or nitrogen. Such bonding leaves a net positive charge on the non-bonded side of the hydrogen atom and forms further bonding with other electronegative atoms, constituting the hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonds between polar and non-polar molecules are responsible for á- helical structure of the polypeptide chains, â-pleated sheet structures of and between the polypeptide chains respectively, besides stabilizing various molecular ‘conformations’ of polypeptides, proteins, base pairs in the DNAdouble helix, supra-molecular aggregates of water molecules and their clusters, in ‘plasticizing’ of enzyme molecules for effective functioning, self-assembly of cellorganelles and extra cellular matrices and intercommunication within the organism. And finally, short-range ‘London Force’ between non-polar electrically neutral molecules and the long-range intermolecular ‘Vander Waal’ forces of attraction have both been demonstrated to be the result of the electromagnetic interaction of the molecular stray fields and responsible for the long-range order during equilibrium phase transitions. From unicellular bacterium to the complex multi-cellular
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organisms, each, have developed their own regulatory network to acquire and control their basic needs and scientific understanding of the physical or chemical principles of their basic structure and function, though formidable, cannot be overlooked. The truth remains that, there is always a specific sequence and a purpose in the creation in nature anywhere, irrespective of the physical forces applicable and that too, using minimum amount of energy. The above cursory description is by no means comprehensive and complete. I am aware that there are gaps in between, and how so ever one may seriously attempt to summarize in a holistic way, some omissions are inadvertent. My only intention here is to emphasize the point that ‘electric charge’ and ‘electromotive forces and fields’ generated by them, underlie all molecular and intra- and inter-molecular interactions, structures and their functions in the universe. Any serious researcher must always address his problem in hand from a multidisciplinary angle taking into consideration the nature and kind of energies and forces involved and interactions of them in a characteristic way, with the material under investigation. In an attempt to define the cardinal principles of designing any industrial product and harnessing creativity, Mr. M.R. Bramharakshas*, an industrial product designer has summarized them in his scheme of sequential order called the science of ‘CREATIX’, which I personally feel is equally applicable in any scientific pursuit in research and development and I quote his* scheme below; Creativity by nature deals with things non-existent. Hence gets associated with such adjectives as uncertain, vague, non-dimensional, grey, hazy, indistinct and unclear. Creative design therefore deals with indistinct subject matter to bring something to existence from nothing. Ways to do it, as on today are also very vague. Why only a handful of rare, gifted people can manage to do it by chance for several reasons is a mystery? To solve this riddle, the author* defined ‘CREATIX’ the science of creating things. CREATIX is a bold and daring evolution by its author*, crystallized through his successful practice in industrial product designing and in harnessing creativity for over fifty years.
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CREATIX Everything on this planet has five distinct parameters in their composition: 1.
Those are for certain purpose, performance, function …......... FUNCTION (Aesthetics is also a function)
2.
Those have certain form, shape, size, looks, finishes ….......... FORM (To perform)
3.
Those are made of certain material (s) ……………….......... MATERIAL(S) (Of specific properties)
4.
Those come into existence through certain process (es)......... PROCESS(ES) (Depending upon material requirements)
5.
And their viability depends on affordability of costs……… COST (Time is also a cost) The need to design an object (or for that matter pursue a research problem)
arises from the problem within one or more of the CREATIX parameters. The detection of the problem only gets acutely focused and identified and clears enough to be attacked for a pinpointed solution. Further, in sculpting it out and reaching to its kernel to the barest minimum, initiate open, unbiased thought process to identify the fundamental principle, physical or natural phenomena or law of its working, operational conditions and area of application. Apply CREATIX parameters, one at a time to take decisions. Enlarge your knowledge base into multidisciplinary, interconnectivity of the problem to the extent possible. Mentally, interact every moment with the situations you are facing and always think of ‘How best you can improve it’. (Reprinted from University News, A Weekly Journal of Higher Education Published by the Association of Indian Universities, Vol 48 No. 16, April 19-25, 2010, pp 19-25.) References for further reading 1. Atkins, Peter, ‘Four laws that drive the universe’, Oxford University Press, 2007. 2. Rees, Martin, ‘Just six numbers, the deep forces that shape the universe’, Phoenix, 1999. 3. Chawn, Marcus, ‘The Magic furnace’, Vintage, 2000. 4. Ho, Mae-Wan, ‘The Rainbow and the worm: The physics of organisms’, World
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Scientific, 3 rd edition, 2008. 5. Emsley, John, ‘Nature’s building blocks: An A-Z guide to the elements’, Oxford University Press, 2001. 6. Becker, Robert O., and Gary Selden, ‘The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the foundation of life’, Harper,1985. 7. Brown, Guy, ‘The Energy of Life: The Science of what makes our minds and bodies work’, The Free Press, 2000. 8. Close, Frank, ‘Antimatter’, Oxford University Press, 2009. 9. Close, Frank, ‘The Void’, Oxford University Press, 2007. 10. Segre, Gino, ‘A Matter of degrees’, Penguin Books, 2002. 11. Segre, Gino, ‘Einstein’s Refrigerator: Tales of hot and cold’, Allen Lane, Penguine Books.2002. 12. Grigoryev, V. and G. Myakishev, ‘The Forces of Nature’, Translated from the Russian by George Yankovsky, MIR Publishers, 1967. 13. Fox Matthew and Rupert Sheldrake, ‘The Physics of Angels: Exploring the realm where science and spirit meet’, HarperSanfrancisco, 1996. 14. Sheldrake Rupert, ‘A New Science of Life: Morphic Resonance’, Park Street Press, 1995. 15. Pert, Candace B., ‘Molecules of Emotions-Why You Feel the Way You Feel’, Pocket Books, 1997. 16. Foster Russell and Leon Kreitzman, ‘Seasons of Life-The biological rhythms that living things need to thrive and survive’, Profile Books, 2009. 17. Bryson, Bill, ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’, Black Swan, 2003. 18. Jitatmananda, Swami, ‘Modern Physics and Vedanta’, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, 6 th edition, 2006. 19. Private communication to the author. For more details and dialogue contactMr. M.R. Bramharakshas* ‘Sankalpa Sahaniwas’, Khare Town, Nagpur-440 010, Maharashtra, India. Telephone:91-712-252 7851. e-Mail:
[email protected]
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6. ENERGY BASIS IN NATURE Introduction This lecture is the first of its kind delivered in the series of winter schools on ‘Remote Sensing’ in Agriculture from this division. It does not talk a word about Remote Sensing and yet its contents are at the base of every thing we are required to do in remote sensing and know about it. The contents of the lecture, summarize in brief the topics which are normally and intended to be covered in the teaching of a new course conceived developed and delivered to the post graduate students of the discipline of Agricultural Physics, who are particularly and predominately drawn from the disciplines of agricultural sciences. It has indeed been designed to change the mindset and to enable them to look to every action happening around every individual and in nature from the point of view of the kind, type, grade, quality and nature of energy flow involved therein. The idea and the purpose of this lecture is also to draw the attention of the participants of the training course, drawn, from various disciplines and background under similar situation as our students and to impress upon their minds the fundamental role of the physical entity in nature that we understand by the term ‘Energy’. The first lessons on ‘energy’ are taught in our books prescribed in High schools. Every individual human being, illiterate or literate, uneducated or educated, irrespective of the cast, creed, colour, nationality and geographical location of his living on equatorial belt or near the icy polar continents on the Earth, knows consciously or unconsciously about the role of energy that plays in his life for living and existence. And yet, we are often unaware or unmindful of this fact, simply because we have never trained our minds to look to each and every action from the point of view of the energy involved, and various dimensions concerned about it. No wonder, there are schools, institutes and laboratories established, practically in all countries of the world to study, conduct research and to develop gadgets and products for efficient harnessing, conversion and use of various types of energy for comfortable living and mobility under the conditions that prevail in that part of the world. In India alone, there are as many as twenty recognized schools and university centers devoted to exclusive studies on Energy.
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Energy as a Concept Identification and development of the concept of ‘Energy’ itself is one of the most interesting part of the evolution of human thought and demonstration of the spectacular capacity of the thinking of human mind. Then came the realization of the fact that every thing in this world needs energy for its existence, action and transportation from one location to the other and energy is the common requirement and at the centre of every thing that exists, moves and gets perished. In the initial process of evolution and development of the human thought on energy, also came the realization that every thing on the Earth is governed by basic inherent periodicity and this periodicity in the case of the Earth and all the Earthlings, is controlled by the Sun, the only star of our solar system and the only cosmic source of Energy. The moon, its motion around the Earth and its reflected light also produce discernible effects on the Earth. Unfortunately these effects in view of their very low magnitudes and intensity are never taken seriously and are usually categorized as subjective. Reasons are therefore quite obvious for the continued reverence and worship of the Sun and the effect of its energy has on various Energy Centres in the human body, in all religions of the world and more particularly in the Hindu Culture. Sun, Moon and the Earth, Energy Relations The dimensions, structure, nature, and kind of energy emitted by the Sun and received on the surface of the Earth, solar flares and their implications on the atmosphere and terrestrial life, energy systems, communication network and human physiology have been illustrated in brief with an idea to impress the magnitude of effects on human lives. In view of the tremendous forces generated by the Sun on the Earth and their damaging and destructive power, the lecture also describes the importance of the SOHO- satellite mission to monitor the Sun and particularly the solar flares approaching towards the Earth. SOHO-Satellite sends in the warning signals much ahead of the effects caused to alert and safeguard energy installations such as power grids, transformers, computer networks etc. from the damages caused due to magnetic fields disturbed by the intense charged plasma ejected during solar activity. The earliest concept of Solar Constant and computation of the total energy emitted by the Sun. Likewise the terrestrial effects of the Moon and its reflected light on the
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Earth have been illustrated with association in the modification of molecular properties used essentially in the Tibetan Medical system with an idea to expose the participants to the interplay of various kinds of energies received on the Earth. It has been emphasized that any student / worker in Physics, particularly in Agricultural Physics must be familiar with these facts and that he / she should train his mind to take a holistic look about any problem in hand and must be very careful in correlating his results. Effect of the Solar radiations on the atmosphere of the Earth, the chemical, physical and electrical structure of the atmosphere , the nature, types and magnitudes of the energies involved. Needless to emphasize that all agricultural operations and activities are closely related to the movements of the Earth and the Moon around the Sun and essentially due to the intense activity on the surface of the Sun.. Energy, Economics, Commerce, Trade in Common Linkage All developments in barter-deals, monetary economy, commerce and trade between the individuals, societies and countries, practiced and evolved through the history of the human civilizations are in fact nothing more than the deals for a certain quantum packets of energy, determined on the basis of the human effort and time taken in producing a certain quantity of the commodity. Therefore, it is our practical every day experience that higher the money in our pocket the higher is our purchasing power and more the amount of material (Energy) we can purchase to survive for longer time. Economics, trade and commerce therefore are essentially linked to the flow of Energy and therefore to physics. Energy Value of All Individual Actions, Art, Wildlife, their Social and Economic Implications : Several examples can be quoted from other human related activities when unthoughtful actions of individuals turn into penalties for the public institutions and even considerable monetary loss. In this category, maintenance of art and cultural museums, galleries, historical monuments of tourist importance, wildlife-national parks, forests, rivers and water bodies and every other thing that goes in the name of environment has a component of Energy (for operation, preservation, maintenance and sustenance) hidden in them and costs dearly to the national / institutional / organizational economy. Economies of several countries in Africa even in the 21 st
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century today are almost exclusively dependent on the preservation of their wild life safari parks and earnings from them. One single master-piece painting of Leonardo Da Vinci – The ‘Mona Lisa’ draws some 800,000 (Eight Lakh) tourists to the Louvre Museum in Paris and almost the same crowd to the State Museum in Amsterdam to watch the famous painting ‘The Night Watch’ by Rembrandt. Every kind of maintenance and effective governance of the institutions, organizations, states and nations becomes easy with higher level of ‘Energy Education’ and Energy Consciousness with the people. This kind of situation can only be expected if the lessons on energy are inculcated and enforced as a kind of mental discipline since childhood. The progressive clean and hygienic look of even the smallest of villages in the advanced countries are in fact a measure of the energy consciousness in the local population. Early Concepts of Energy and Matter, Plural and Singular Energy Concepts, Relativity and thereafter The early philosophers and scientists treated both matter and energy as the separate entities and more so also the matter and energy from the animate and inanimate objects. This situation continued to be debated, contested and argued until 1905, when Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity and arrived at the Mass Energy Equivalence relationship (E= m.C2 ), where E is described as the Einstein Energy, m- the mass and C is the velocity of light. The historical laws of thermodynamics, plural and singular concept of Einstein Energy and finer descriptions such as; the internal and external forms and seven other complex forms of energy such as enthalpic, caloric, Helmholtz, bound, Gibbs, Free, Exergic, Cogen etc. found to be in operation in various kinds of natural systems. Considering the fact that ‘Remote Sensing’ essentially deals with the interaction of the incident energy with matter of various kinds and detection of the modified energy for identification, characterization, discrimination using hand held or satellite borne sensors, it was thought to deliver a lecture of this type to the participants of a training course on remote sensing. (Summary of the lecture delivered to the participants of the 13 th DOS-Sponsored School on ‘Remote Sensing Applications in Agriculture with Special Emphasis on Drought Management’, March 23- April 16, 2005, Division of Agricultural Physics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
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7. FORM OF MOTION OF MATTER: THE FOUNDATION OF QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION Introduction The subject of physics is well known to be dealing with the kind and types of energies, their conservation, manifestations, inter-conversion and interactions with matter belonging to both the animate and the inanimate world. And all activities of human beings; be it related to manufacture, trade, transport, commerce, business, management of resources, agricultural production and his personal existence are basically nothing more than the flow and conversion of energy and interactions with matter of various kinds. Therefore, whether we are aware of this fact or not, appreciate it or do not appreciate, like this reality or do not like it, consciously try to understand its meaning, reality and significance or unconsciously ignore it, the laws of physics, physical forces and energies, operate as the undercurrent behind all material creation, manifestation, activities, existence and even in destruction not only on the Earth but in the entire universe. It is therefore imperative that as an educated and enlightened citizen of a modern civilized scientific and technologically advanced world, irrespective of our physical location on the Earth, religious faith at birth, colour of the skin, kind of human race, physical conditions of living, chosen career for education and profession for livelihood, each one of us must be educated and knowledgeable about the basic laws of physics, not necessarily in details but at least in their physical significance and more particularly about the various forms of energy and their intertwine flow. All the money we exchange in whatever currency, grocery we buy, services we purchase and management of resources we practice, are in fact the price that we pay for a bundle of energy as an economic barter deal. And this realization, knowledge, understanding and education as a ‘primer’ must begin from childhood at home and the primary schools in general. Therefore both the parents at home and teachers in schools and colleges, at all levels and in all streams of our education (e.g. science, technical, engineering, medical, agriculture and even social sciences
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and management etc.) owe special responsibility in educating the young generations. The situation is quite analogous to the almost compulsive training, literacy and education in using computers today. Non familiarity with computers in the twenty first century has become akin to a stigma of illiteracy. So is the case with the knowledge in physics and physical forces and energies which concern us almost every moment of our healthy existence on the Earth. In fact every one of the living creature on the Earth is immersed in an ocean of energy of various kinds and respond to a multitude of them mentally, spiritually, physiologically, biochemically, physically, and mechanically. This fact is also true in case of plants, insects, microorganisms and aquatic life forms. All forms of sciences developed by human mind are therefore nothing more than attempts to systematically study the interactions of living creatures to the stimulus of various forms and kinds of energies. Therefore, it is essential that a basic minimum knowledge in physics must be delivered and made to understand by all means before individual subjects are formally taught. There is no doubt that training for logical thinking and reasoning in sincerely learning physics goes a long way beyond academics, in building a scientifically oriented, educated, thoughtful, sagacious, judicious and a genuinely open unbiased society as a long term objective for any self respecting sovereign nation. This is also necessary and helpful in eradicating several of our age-old social prejudices and miss-beliefs, superstitions, blind faiths, sense-less gory rituals of animal and human sacrifices in the name of religion and faiths, black magic, false sense of pseudo supremacy and honour killing for its sake and such other malaise, commonly prevalent amongst all religious faiths, communities, casts and creeds and deliberately perpetuated by the vested groups and touts in the name of rituals, traditions and culture to trap gullible individuals. It is the ignorance, fear about the unknown and lack of scientific (physics) education about the invisible world that perpetuates unscientific, illogical and at times cruel practices amongst all sections of population, literates, illiterates and the unthoughtful educated-illiterates. This may be exemplified from the still prevalent practice of attributing the cause for outbreak of epidemic viral diseases such as chickenpox and smallpox to the curse of female deities (DEVIS) in India and more recently, a few years ago the magnitude of mass ignorance about science was
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witnessed in the mad hysterical race to temples all over the country to offer and see Lord Ganesh idols miraculously drinking milk. A properly trained and educated physicist / common man of conviction instantly perceives the interflow of energies in a given situation and in most certain cases arrives at a very logical, scientific and reasonable understanding. In short, logic, unbiased reasoning, scientific tests, experimental demonstration, critical analysis and open mind to accept new knowledge must prevail over all other stray considerations. And the best mental training in doing so is certainly received in honestly learning physics and mathematics with eagerness. A notable example demonstrating truth about such a connection can be cited here from the personal memoirs of the former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who clearly mentions that despite the society in Rameshwaram where he lived, being highly stratified into orthodox groups, he never felt differences because of social rebels in his Science (Physics) Teacher Mr. Sivasubramaniam Iyer and some others who not only defied all prevalent norms with a candid determination to change the social system and frequently invited young Abdul Kalam over lunch and dinner to his house as a personal example for others to emulate. Human history is replete with examples where only scientists and scientifically oriented individuals have been instrumental in changing the traditional mindset of the generations and bring about radical social reforms. Incorrect, illogical and unreasonable and unscientific practices of any kind (religious, cult, faith or tradition etc) on whatever pretext, if once allowed to gain ground and perpetuate in society, it would take centuries and even millennium to get rid of their nuisance and malaise. The eradication of the ‘Sati-Pratha’ self or forced immolation of the wife of a deceased husband is an example of this kind. The recent spurt in the incidences of ‘honour killings’ for various reasons being reported in the media these days is another social malaise of this kind that needs to be dealt with heavy hand. And reasons for all such gory practices are surely the lack of modern scientific education, mind set and un-reasonable blind-faith. There is therefore no substitute to rigorously spreading, promoting, encouraging, learning and teaching of physics and related physical sciences for building an objective, rational, judicious and progressive society. It is unfortunate, that our Scientific and Academic bodies (like ICMR) should not be in a position to initiate studies on such subjects as ‘Family
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Gotras’ traditionally inherited and held close to the hearts by people in almost all states in the country to look into the scientific basis, their relation (if any) to the human blood groups, genetic basis and significance for marriages of individuals born within and between different ‘Gotras” and continued relevance in the twenty-first century. Ten or twenty Ph. D. level student fellowships regularly given on All India basis for a period of ten years would at least scientifically see this problem in proper perspective or even resolve the problem for ever. This is particularly urgent in view of sporadic violence, murders and crimes being done and innocent lives are cruelly terminated. India has resolved earlier a contentious issue of 52 different calendar systems prevalent in the country and being religiously adhered to by various communities, in evolving a National Calendar through consensus. A similar approach after doing a thorough scientific research needs to be adopted for the problem of ‘Gotras’ and various other orthodox problems that plague the social cause and lives in this country. It would be ridiculous to leave them just as such to the prevalent blind faith or social beliefs and not attempting to find or prove a scientific basis in them. I am sure, I am liable to be questioned- How learning physics and social problems described above have anything in common? And with all sincerity and conviction, I admit that there is not only connection but all our problems originate from non compliance and non-subordination to the natural laws that govern our very existence on the Earth. How Physics is integral to education and life Under the present scenario, lessons in physics and mathematics should be made mandatory for the students of all biological sciences and particularly in agricultural sciences because they are directly and primarily concerned with the use of natural solar energy in terms of photosynthesis and the yields of plant and agricultural produce. All the efforts, indulged into, by the agricultural scientists in breeding and hybridization of new crop plant varieties for increased or optimized yields are, in fact directed towards efficient harnessing and utilization of solar energy under normal or specific environmental conditions from various locations. A critical scientific look at the crop breeding programs pursued by the agricultural plant breeders will reveal that the measures adopted by them are indeed directed to bringing about
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necessary changes in the existing varieties in terms of increased biomass production, qualitative and quantitative changes in protein, carbohydrate and sugar syntheses and other associated changes besides appealing colour, shape and size, taste, cooking qualities, economic production, resistance to pests and diseases, partitioning of harnessed solar energy for auto-synthesis of insect toxins (Bt.) for self protection by the crop plants and for enhanced post harvest shelf life. And all these involve complex dynamics of energy harnessing, transportation, biosynthesis and storage of molecules within plant cells to produce what we call the crop yield. Such changes are mediated through changes incorporated into the DNA sequence of the concerned crop plant-cell using several well known conventional and modern molecular genetics techniques for gene transfer. Complexities arise because most of the characters of crop plants are controlled by multiple genes and their sequential locations on the DNA molecular strand. Understanding of the energy basis of nature and of the physical processes that are involved for maximizing energy harnessing in any of the physical, physiological, biochemical, metabolic and biosynthetic processes is therefore essential to modulate, regulate and engineer crop plants suitable for new requirements and demands. No wonder, crop plant breeding is not an isolated enterprise but an activity that needs considerable inputs from physics and physical sciences (Meteorology, Soil Physics, and Agronomy that is intimately related to micrometeorology and various kinds of ‘morphogenetic energy fields’). And such conscious integration of different disciplines was one of the main reasons indeed for the success of the All India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the early sixties that led to the first green revolution. Reasons for Location Specificity of crop plant species and varieties Rupert Sheldrake, the well known biologist has recently come out with his path breaking ‘New Science of Life’ the role of physical forces and morphogenetic fields in what is called the morphogenesis of organic molecules and forms within living organisms. Several reports of studies conducted by the NASA-USA also corroborate the fact that radiations, electrically charged plasma, coronal mass ejections, solar flares etc from the Sun and outer galaxy affect the geo-magnetic fields on the Earth
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and life forms in both positive and negative ways. And it is time; investigations on the components of such morphogenetic fields are intensified. Perhaps, Physics departments in agricultural research institutions can take a lead. There appears great potential in this area of research as much of the problems of photosensitivity and location specificity in some cash crops such as cotton, durum and dicoccum wheat, spices from tropical humid climatic locations, alfonso mangoes from Ratnagiri, citrus and oranges from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, coconut plantations along sea coastal regions etc and the crypto-biological aspects of insect-pest proliferation despite huge loads of insecticide and pesticide applications over the years, can be possibly linked to the presence or absence of strong or weak morphogenetic fields at various locations. Recently, Hugh Lovel an organic and biodynamic pioneer, who developed a devise called ‘Quantum Field Broadcaster’ combining principles of quantum physics, biochemistry and the mind / body link, demonstrated the use of his stationary self driven devise that induces self-reinforcing, resonant fractal patterns, like homeopathic potencies, directly into the life energy fields of soil and atmosphere. It not only improves the patterns of lime in the soil related to mineral release, nitrogen fixation, digestion and providing nutrients to plants, it also works with the atmospheric patterns of silica related to photosynthesis, blossoming, fruiting and ripening. Healthy lime and silica patterns are also believed to have the potential to change rainfall patterns and restore health to barren lands. Another classic and yet baffling example of how possibly, morphic / morphogenetic fields modified by the presence of soluble and other impurities in water from any location on the earth affect the shape, size, symmetry and purity of snow, ice and water crystals formed from that water has been clearly demonstrated by a Japanese practioner of Alternative Medicines Dr. Masaru Emoto. And such snow and water crystals have also been reported to be responding to mental energies and human emotions through possibly morphic resonance (my interpretation). This seems logical because water constitutes over 90% of human, insect, animal and plant body masses. This paper advocates the need for reorienting and strengthening teaching of physics in schools, colleges, engineering, medical and agricultural universities and in management oriented academic institutions for overall comprehension of the
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complex problems in a holistic way and more than this; to empower our young graduates and post graduates in tackling challenging problems of enhanced food production and food security for the billions living on the earth or mass-production of consumer goods for human comfort and necessities. Physics is not merely a ‘subject for study’ for a university degree but a ‘religion by itself’ and a philosophy for life and our existence on the Earth. Because the only Universal Religion for every one of us is to collectively and individually maintain himself / herself mentally, thoughtfully, physiologically, nutritionally and physically in sound good health, depending upon geographical location on the earth, because food intake, its nature and effective digestion by the body’s metabolism are mediated to a great extent by the external environmental conditions and mental strategies to combat them for survival. This is the only meaning of spirituality and essence of all religions, past or present that have flourished on earth. Almost all the so erroneously called ‘religious texts’ of ancient Indian history e.g.; Vedas, Upanishads and Geeta are indeed scientific treatises. It is our negligence in learning the Sanskrit language that has alienated us from the science (as modern as we can think of) contained in them. Late Dr. M.R. Guney, a Nuclear Physicist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has clearly brought out the scientific aspect of the Geeta in his book in Marathi-‘Dnyaneshwari che Bhava-vishwa’(The Emotional World of Dnyaneshwari –a treatise on Geeta in Marathi written by Sant Dnyaneshwar over 700 years ago). Form of motion of matter The Concept of “Basic Forms of Motion” embraces an extremely wide domain of phenomena into which the whole of nature can be broken down and to which, all natural sciences including all processes constituting the structural elements and interactions taking place in them are included. Form of motion is; 1. Associated with a definite type of matter, 2. Have qualitative features of a certain family of phenomena or motions distinguishing it from other such family, 3. Related to internal structure of the material entity,
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4. Related to the type of interaction between the elements constituting the given entity and its structure, Interrelation of traditionally classified sciences, reflect the interrelation of forms of motion, and consequently the forms of energies, extending to the basic fundamental concepts of each science. For Physics, this fundamental concept is “Nature, Kind and Form of Energy” for Chemistry it is “Chemical Element” for Biology, the concept of “Species” or may be “DNA / RNA”. Any quantitative research based on mathematical logic not only changes the quality but even the scales of accuracy for a meaningful comprehension of the phenomena / problem under investigation, its practical utility and for evolving or converting the results into practical technologies. Physics provides the necessary theoretical and experimental approach and mathematics, the necessary logic for quantitative measurements. Several examples of the intertwining of the conclusions of different sciences can be seen, not only in the development of the sciences called geology, geochemistry, geophysics, cosmology and astronomy but even in the biological sciences such as genetics, biophysics, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology / genetics and biotechnology. For example, to study the upper part of the earth’s crust, cooperation between ancient geology, geophysics and geochemistry has been established. But, to probe the deeper layers of the crust, specially the mantle and the core, geological methods prove ineffective and physics, astrophysics / stellar physics, astronomy, geophysics and geochemistry come to the fore. Geophysics provides information on density, elasticity, viscosity, electrical and magnetic properties, heat flow from the interior to the earth’s surface and information regarding thermal history of the earth in general. Physics provides theoretical and experimental data regarding the properties of matter at high pressures and temperatures to validate geophysical conclusions. Whereas, astronomy, astrophysics provides information concerning the distribution of mass within the earth, mechanical properties of the globe as a whole, its gravitational field, changes in the latitudes due to the shifting of the magnetic poles and fluctuations in the spatial orientation of the earth’s axis of rotation and cosmogonic theories about the origin of the earth, the solar system and individual planets of the solar system. The interactions, mutual understanding and appreciation
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between specialists working in narrow areas of their individual specialty grows on the strength of increased use of quantitative analysis, analytical tools and holistic approaches from multidisciplinary angles. It is known and well established that chemical, physical, mechanical and biological processes taking place on the earth have contributed to the evolution of a large number of transitory boundary sciences. The totality of all such sciences can be represented in the following table; Astromechanics
Geomechanics
Biomechanics
Astrophysics
Geophysics
Biophysics
Astrochemistry
Geochemistry
Biochemistry
The two other transitional sciences between physics and chemistry include ‘physical chemistry’ and ‘chemical physics’. The horizontal rows and vertical columns in the above table exhibit the deepest and the most intrinsic relationship links respectively amongst themselves. However, in considering the interrelation of sciences, it should be borne in mind that each science has its specific method of research, tools, theories and relationship with each other, their subject matter, its common origin and scale and magnitude of the forces and energies involved. Therefore, overall comprehension can never be achieved without the broadest utilization of the knowledge of physics, chemistry, mathematics and modern engineering and it would be futile to expect worthwhile contribution without inputs from these disciplines and knowledge about the interactions of matter with various form and kinds of energies. Experiments conducted in changing the conventionally traditional sequence in the order of teaching biology-chemistry-physics in schools to physics—chemistry and then biology, has lead to a significant logical flow of conceptual understanding amongst students from physics to chemistry to biology, better mathematical reinforcement, increased appreciation and enrollment of students to physics courses, enhanced curiosity and scientific literacy besides compulsive urge to understand physical sciences. As biology and agriculture continue to become more and more sophisticated and knowledge intensive subjects with the wide scale use and
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applications of such physical tools as X-Ray diffractometer, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, scanning tunneling electron microscope and atomic force microscope, confocal microscope, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopes, nuclear techniques, mass spectrometer, chromatography techniques, electrophoreses, computers, computing technologies, information theories and technology, mathematical and computer modeling, statistical theories and satellite borne and ground based remote sensing, there is a growing demand for human resource equipped with knowledge and comprehension of physics, mathematics and chemistry for not only better understanding the concepts in biological sciences, but for their applications. The important role of physics and physical laws as the under-current of all agricultural activities from sowing and germination of seeds to the harvest, storage, appropriate packing material, transportation, distribution and hygienically safe disposal still continue to be ignored, unsolicited and seldom appreciated in full measure, despite several serious instances of sporadic and epidemic spread of crop diseases, insect-pest infestations arising out of unsafe storage and distribution of agricultural produce in public for human consumption. The role of physical conditions and environment for prolific growth of pathogenic micro flora over agricultural produce during storage and transportation is very much appreciated but never practically enforced in all seriousness as mandatory regulatory conditions. Very few of our mushrooming ‘Central and State Agricultural Universities’ have established strong groups or programs in teaching and research in physics and physical sciences in relation to the requirements and demands of hygienic storage, processing, packaging, sanitization, transportation and distribution of our innumerable agricultural, horticultural, floricultural and even forest-related products. The present complacent situation needs to be changed at the earliest. The emphasis should be on generation of knowledge in a holistic way rather than setting boundaries limited to disciplines or sub-disciplines. All existing agricultural universities and other agricultural research institutions in the country must evolve a mechanism to workout problems in a multi-disciplinary action plan. This would not only end the isolation of our exclusively established ‘Agricultural University’ system from basic scientific disciplines but help in raising standards of teaching, research, education, human resource and technology development.
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Challenging job opportunities can be created for physicists, willing to make career in the field of agriculture, where their knowledge can be gainfully employed to advantage. These include areas of growing crops under low input conditions of water, fertilizers and chemicals, high and low altitude and gravity conditions including space, agricultural meteorology, defining conditions of crop production under fluctuating climatic and global warming scenario, food processing, preservation, storage and technology, precision agriculture, grade and quality evaluation of agricultural produce, quality certification, molecular genomics, bio-molecular identification, isolation, purification, characterization, structure determination, preservation, storage and search for applications in other areas. All these may require readjustments / reorientation of certain existing sections under related disciplines and faculties for focused priorities. Any talk of intellectual property right protection, preservation and conservation of crop, insect, forest flora and fauna, aquatic and marine biodiversity and such related issues without physical, genetic and bio-molecular characterization will receive little or no consideration and credibility. We need to establish strong schools and create infrastructure for education and training of human resource for jobs in these prime areas that require greater understanding of physics, physical laws, their limits, range and mode of operation on a war footing. In fact, time is running out and in the event of further neglect, a disaster unimaginable may befall. All these activities demand induction and recruitment of individuals who are capable, eager and willing to excel and perform with utmost honesty and sincerity. Quality science and related services can certainly be achieved through open competition and not through restrictive reserved pastures. There is still time for our exclusive agricultural universities to rectify the situation. It must be realized that all the best known institutes of technology and engineering in the world are also very strong centers of teaching, training, research and developments in physics, chemistry, mathematics and biological sciences. Recent developments in our Indian Institutes of Technology embarking on introducing medical, and medical technology courses is a step in the right direction. If agriculture essentially constitutes a holistic technology for optimizing and maximizing crop productivity, there is full justification to strengthen strong teaching, training and
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research programs in basic disciplines in agricultural universities. Without them, I am afraid; there may be little hope for any meaningful significant contribution coming forth. (Invited Article for the Souvenir released on the occasion of All India Vice Chancellors’ Conference and 85 th Annual Meeting of the Association of Indian Universities, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra, November 12-14, 2010 pages 67-73. Also reproduced in the ‘University News,, A weekly Journal of Higher Education of the Association of Indian Universities, Vol. 49, No. 02, January 10-15, 2011, pp1-6.) References for further reading 1.
Rupert Sheldrake, ‘The Hypothesis of a New Science of Life-Morphic Resonance’; Park Street Press, 1995.
2.
‘The Interaction of Sciences in The Study of the Earth’ Translated from originally in Russian By Vladimir Talmy (Editorial Board: V.I. Baranov, Y.V. Karus, I.V. Kuznetsov, D.I. Shcherbakov, V.V. Tikhomirov and Y.P. Trusov). Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1968.
3.
Segre, Gino. ‘Einstein’s Refrigerator-Tales of the hot and cold’, Allen Lane An imprint of Penguine Books, 2002.
4.
Segre, Gino, ‘A Matter of Degrees-What temperature reveals about the past and future of our species, planet, and universe’. Penguine Books, 2003.
5.
Foster Russell and Leon Kreitzman, ‘Seasons of Life-The biological rhythms that living things need to thrive and survive’, Profile Books, 2009.
6.
Ho, Mae-Wan, ‘The Rainbow and the Worm-The Physics of Organisms’, World Scientific, 2008.
7.
Cowan, David and Anne Silk, ‘Ancient Energies of the Earth. A ground breaking exploration of the Earth’s natural energy and how it affects our health’. Thorsons- An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 1999.
8.
Abdul Kalam, A.PJ, with Arun Tiwari, ‘Wings of Fire- An Autobiography’, Universities Press, Hyderabad, 1999.
9.
Becker, R.O. and Gary Selden, ‘The Body Electric-Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life’, Harper, 1985.
10. Bentlet, W.A. and W.J. Humphreys; Snow Crystals (Dover, 1962) The original Book was published by McGraw Hill in 1931. 11. Nakaya, U. Snow Crystals: Natural and Artificial, Harvard University Press, 1954.
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12. Emoto Masaru, The Hidden Messages in Water, Translated from the original in Japanese by David A Thayne, ATRIA Books, 2001. 13. Guney, M.R., Dnyaneshwari che Bhava Vishwa, In Marathi, 2006, Snehal Prakashan, Pune, India, pp 192. 14. Lovel Hugh, Quantum Agriculture, P.O. Box 898, Tolga, Queensland 4882. Telephone 61-495 567.
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8. WORK : ITS ORIGIN, LAW, AND ETHICAL HUMAN OBLIGATIONS Introduction Why there is perpetual work in nature? The Universe is known to be filled with only energy and matter of various kinds, controlled by four types of forces known as, weak interaction, strong interaction, electromagnetic and gravitation. Whereas only one tenth of the total matter present in the universe is visible to human eye, the balance nine tenth continues to remain occluded and is called the dark matter. The nature, manifestation and properties of dark matter / dark energy and its transformation into visible matter, continue to be a great mystery despite tremendous progress in cosmological sciences. The universe is believed to contain a hundred billion galaxies, each consisting of a hundred billion stars and it is estimated that over a fifty orders of magnitude of this universe or more, lies beyond the universe visible to us. Recent evidence gathered by NASA-USA suggests that the galaxies are not individually isolated but are even interconnected. However, it is clear that the key to the presence of a variety of compound matter present in the universe is the formation and availability of the Hydrogen atoms (protons) in abundance and their fusion into the fundamental atomic units of about 117 kinds of element matter, each with individually unique chemical and physical properties, formed in the nuclear furnaces during formation of stars. Accurate observations made with the help of telescopes reveal that an exact balance exists between the positive energy of matter formed and negative energy of gravitation that comes into play so that no net energy is actually required for creation of the universe. A cyclic inter-play in creation of both inanimate and animate matter and their subsequent disintegration into basic building blocks of atomic element matter from which they were formed and annihilation with release of considerable amount of energy under the action of the four kinds of forces has become the acquired attribute of the manifestation of nature in its spectacular grandeur and beauty. However, where and how, the all pervading consciousness and awareness about self-existence fits
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into this scheme of universal creation is still a matter of mystery, speculation and debate. Many believe ‘Consciousness’ to be the fifth force of nature but the scientists are reluctant to admit so. It may be another probability that consciousness may be a hitherto unknown / unrecognized function of the ‘quantized electric charge’ on an electron and proton with positive electric charge as a manifestation of the primordial matter, which is fundamental to both the creation and destruction of element matter and structures of various kinds. It may be curious to argue whether consciousness exists even at the sub-structural level of protons and other elementary nuclear particles with fractional un-quantized electric charges on them? And billions of years after his appearance on the Earth, man is still searching scientific answers about his own consciousness, origin, processes involved in origin, purpose and time span of his continued / destined existence in future. Despite these limitations, what is most evident being; that creation of matter (inanimate and animate) its sustenance for a specific period and its subsequent annihilation has evolved itself into a continually rhythmic, dynamic process, marked by an equilibrium in periodic cycles of energy consumption, transformation and work done against the forces of nature. Obviously therefore, performing work and accumulating that continuously in building up the potential energy has become a perpetual characteristic process in nature. Nothing can ever remain without action / work even for a fraction of a second and every matter (inanimate and animate) is helplessly driven to remain at work by the inherent qualities and natural tendencies. Whereas, progressive accumulation of potential energy, beyond limits of sustenance leads to disaster, destruction and annihilation, progressive shedding of potential energy (through personal sacrifice / actionlessness) leads back towards the origin and source of primordial energy / source of consciousness. Therefore, it is probable that a ‘stimulation / initiation of some kind’ akin to the desire or urge in man on behalf of an hitherto unknown, impersonal, form-less and without attributes, ‘Force of Nature’ that sets the first action of transforming primordial cosmic energy into visible matter and push it into action for performing ceaseless work. The three of the four forces described above, perhaps come into play after the matter in its stable element form is actually created but though difficult, the origin of the force of ‘strong interaction’ which binds the sub-
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nuclear particles together may be resulting from the stimulus received from the Impersonal unknown ‘Force of Nature’. The weak and strong forces within the nucleus that lies at the heart of every atom of various elemental matters compete with the electromagnetic force for ultimate control over the atom. At times, when the strong force wins, protons and neutrons get strongly bound to produce a stable atom and when the electromagnetic force wins, it leads to an unstable entity with production of a variety of radio active nuclei. The Yang-Mills equation, credited to Robert Lawrence Mills and Chen Ning Yang explained the puzzling properties of subatomic particles on the basis of difference between left and right spin when particles interact through the weak force. Whereas electric charge is a source of electromagnetic field, the electromagnetic field itself is not the source of electric charge. Electromagnetism also does not change electric charges and the field is a source for itself. Unfortunately, neither the sequence, order and process involved in the creation of protons and neutrons and assembly of nuclei of various element atoms nor the sequence in the hierarchy involved amongst the four ‘forces of nature’ is scientifically known to mankind, although experiments conducted with powerful atom smashing machines (particle accelerators) have revealed only the presence of various component parts (elementary particles) involved in their composition, assembly and constitution but not about the process of their creation. And as long as such stimulations converting dark energy into matter exist, so long as the perpetual performance of work (in the form of the cycle of creation and destruction) will not be over. And this cycle of creation and destruction is common to both the inanimate and animate matter because they both originate from the same primordial matter and elements and constitute part of the system. Rupert Sheldrake has recently come out with his revolutionary new concept and ‘Hypothesis of Formative Causation’ which states that the forms of self-organizing systems are shaped by morphic fields. Morphic fields organize atoms, molecules, crystals, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, societies, ecosystems, planetary systems, solar systems and galaxies at all levels of complexities. These morphic fields also contain an inherent memory given by the process and frequencies of morphic resonance culminating in providing each and every kind of thing a
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‘collective memory’. Thus, morphic fields that shape the growing biological organisms are called morphogenetic fields, in social organization they can be called social fields; and in organization of the mental activity- the mental fields. And all such kinds of fields are shaped, stabilized and act on material kinds to put them into perpetual work through morphic resonance. Innumerable reports from NASA-USA indicate the presence of perpetual, strong geo-magnetic fields around the globe when a big storm of solar plasma originating from coronal mass ejection from the Sun force waves of intense ionization rippling through Earth’s upper atmosphere, causing electric currents to flow through the topsoil, and shaking the entire magnetic field of the planet in resonant motion and action. Whereas consciousness in the inanimate matter is considered to remain dormant and active in the animate matter for the sake of convenience such differentiation has also been considered invalid. The whole universe is governed by the law of perpetual work in which; action and reaction, cause and effect and effort and destiny are all equal and opposite. This law of perpetual work is Eternal, Universal and Applicable through all the time-scales, the past, the present and the future. Conscious or unconscious ignorance or defiance of this law, willfully or otherwise, leads to certain destruction and only adherence to it, leads to a happy and harmonious living, irrespective of cast, creed, color of the skin, religious faith at birth and physical location anywhere in the world. Work, nature of work and classification The first ever definition, description, characterization and classification of work has descended down to mankind from the ‘Vedas and Upanishads’ and explicitly in relation to personal and social behavior and human psychology in the celestial song– ‘the Bhagwad Geeta’. The simple and succinct definition of work being-‘each and every physical action, deed or movement that is performed, willingly or unwillingly with cooperation of the mind, using all or any of the ten senses, organs and limbs of our body, from morning to evening, during day and night, through weeks, months, years and all through the life, from the moment of birth to the last breath, is known as the Work. And all the work performed have been classified into three categories; (i) ‘spontaneous work’- work done at the spur of a moment or time which bears a reaction or result almost instantaneously, (ii) ‘cumulative work’- work done that
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does not produce immediate reaction and is kept in abeyance until an opportune time arrives for its result. No corrective measures for such actions are either available or possible, (iii) ‘previously done accumulated work’- work done from the ‘cumulative list’ that is ready to bear results. They are also commonly described by such synonym words as destiny, luck, fate and fortune. Just as human beings, animals, birds, fishes or microbial life forms have different gestation time frames until birth and every different crop plant species has its own crop growth period from sowing seeds to harvesting, so also each and every cumulative work done in life takes a definite time for producing their reactions or results. This time period from the moment work is done to its result may be over in just one life-span or may take several hundred cycles of birth and rebirth for an individual. How and where the information and memory about the work done in life is recorded, stored and carried to the next birth and their consequences encoded for execution in the new form of program loaded in the human genome-DNA sequence is an unresolved mystery. What seems almost certain being that the human brain cannot be the vehicle or carrier of this memory from one life to the other although it is used as a tool to control and coordinate all activities in a body during life time? The phenomena appear to be working at the sub-quantum level of an intense subtle energy or energy field, about which nothing or very little scientific knowledge is known as yet. However ultrastructural differences in the gross neuron-anatomical features of cortical symmetries or asymmetries in human brains have however been found to be associated and correlated with display of exceptional abilities of talented individuals? Pure and impure work All the three categories of work have further been divided into two types; ‘pure work’ and ‘impure work’ obviously suggesting to mean that work done, strictly according to laws of nature is the ‘pure work’ and that accomplished without strictly adhering to the science involved behind the work being the ‘impure work’. Today, airplanes with hundreds of human passengers on board are successfully flying long distances across continents is not because man has conquered nature but only because we are flying them strictly adhering to and in accordance with the laws of nature that enable us to do so. This is the reason, why scientists (physicists) as a general rule
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crave, desire and work for uniform universal standards of measures for all physical quantities and for qualities of materials. Further, the entire universe is well known to be rhythmic, cyclic and perfectly periodic in nature. And in keeping with this periodicity of the universe in general, cyclic nature of birth and rebirth is no more left to be a speculation or a fiction of blind religious faith but a proven, scientifically established truth and obviously governed in accordance with the ‘law of work’. What is certain being that every work done (considered here only in respect of human beings) will have its reaction, every cause will have its effect and every effort done has its destiny within a time frame which is specific to the kind and nature of the work done? It is in keeping with this truth, nature itself delineates definite responsibility to every individual born as a human being by providing an opportunity to wipe out the results of the past cumulative work. Our salvation lies only in recognizing the nature-delineated work, understanding the responsibilities involved and performing those to the best of our ability, capacity and potential. This is indeed the secret of all those successful people in any society, anywhere in the world. Complexities arise because of incorrect choice made in choosing the nature and kind of delineated work under incorrect guidance, emotion, coercion, compulsion, intimidation, threat, monetary gain and greed or for any such reasons. Whereas, the compromise so made under any such circumstances might successfully provide education, employment and livelihood to an individual for life but not the inherent satisfaction of personal accomplishment. No wonder, innumerable individuals can be found in any society all over the world, willingly pursuing entirely different work than what they were educated and trained and even expected to work for. The truth in this fact can be best realized through individual introspection rather than a debate. Unfortunately, universities in most countries instead of restricting their role in moulding philosophers and thinkers and engaging primarily in creating new knowledge are taking upon themselves the role of running training schools for job and employment-oriented professional practical trades for commercial reasons. This activity should have best been left exclusively to the polytechnics or technical schools meant for the purpose. Natural delineation of work, their signals and responsibility of parents
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The implications of work, therefore, are not only linked to the very creation of the universe but extend to everything that forms a part of the universe. The entire universe is governed by the ‘Law of Work’, which is absolutely impersonal, incorruptible, beyond manipulation and free from any intervention. There is therefore no option before human beings but to submit and accept what is offered to them by the nature. And this offer comes to human beings as signal-indications in the form of inherent abilities such as; natural aptitude, inclination for certain kinds of work, inner urge, self motivation, convictions, dedication, determination, independent thinking and inherent will to perform, sharp memory, alertness, keen observation, ability to quickly grasp knowledge, open mind and will to change without bias or prejudice. These attributes provide the necessary means to seek and complete the delineated work. Successful parenthood lies in recognizing such indications in children and in providing all necessary help to the child in his / her development. Interdependence for work in societies and division of labour The fundamental periodic re-cycling characteristic of nature is clearly evident from the fact that one kind of life-form is a food for the survival of the other kind of life as a part of the food-chain. What is excreted by one life-form as waste becomes the food for survival of the other. In this process, what each form of life is actually doing being; it is picking up the atoms and molecules of the basic food-elements that are essentially required to maintain the biochemical, physiological and physical functions of its own body for healthy existence as an individual. And since the elements so essentially required for our existence are cosmic in origin, all life forms are intimately linked to the cosmic universe. Like the component interdependence in a food chain, human society is also interdependent on a number of individuals who carryout many types of physical, intellectual and social work for its requirement as a group, community or a nation. In this spirit of interdependence, upholding the dignity of labor, it is totally wrong to claim or maintain superiority or inferiority of one kind of job over the other. All kinds of jobs are complementary and equally important. It is the disproportionate monetary pay structures devised by the humans or unavoidable dirtying hands in doing
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some kind of jobs that have created such divide. However, irrespective of any country, community, society and civilization in the history and at present, allotment of work to individuals has actually been based on mental and physical capacity of each individual. In the absence of regular training schools in large numbers in the historical past, useful practical trades were handed down from the forefathers and parents to the children through generations. Carrying forward this tradition of work with conviction and motivation by children used to become means of his inward advancement, improvement, improvisation, innovation, research and development. No wonder all this lead to the establishment of family trades and professions. Such families pursuing different trades without rivalry or jealousy complemented each other and helped in maintaining a harmonious society at large. Today, with development of science and technology, the number of new practical trades and professions for livelihood has multiplied thousand fold. It is practically impossible to expect people to stick to the traditional family-trades under the changed scenario. Despite these developments and changes, the fundamental natural ‘law of work’ stays inviolate. People in all societies, communities and countries, consciously or unconsciously, continue to still get classified / segregated into four type of job categories, namely; (i) those that are creating new knowledge (ii) those that help in protecting the society interests (iii) those who venture into trading and transport of essential commodities for the society and (iv) those, who help in maintaining cleanliness, community hygiene and environmental aesthetics. Today, the number of various kinds of jobs falling within each of the above category has increased with technological and industrial progress. However, such classification actually evolves and comes out more from the inherent inclination, temperament, aptitude or compulsions arising out of the actions on the part of the individual himself, strictly in accordance with the ‘law of work’ than from inheritance and birth. Every individual is responsible himself for the kind of job that comes to his fold and no body else can be held responsible. Fortunately, under the current economic scenario, each one of us is expected to routinely perform all the four types of jobs for oneself if not for others. Ethical and moral obligations in performance of work
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Having been pushed into doing our delineated work, it becomes our duty to carry out the same with utmost capacity, ability and sincerity. Any negligence in doing that work gets reflected in consequences that befall on the society besides disrupting the entire chain of interdependent community life. Therefore, creating sensitivity, sensibility and preparing mind-set in moulding young generation since childhood for a disciplined and duty-bound community life, becomes the primary responsibility of parents at home and teachers in schools and should form the first lessons of the beginning of a formal education. The level of discipline becomes more and more rigorous with progress in education and higher responsibilities of work. And surely, this is impossible to handle and carry forward without adhering to the ‘laws of nature’ and the ‘law of work’. Craving and working for reward and recognition for doing the delineated work, tantamount to bargain and is a sign of an individual with a weak mind, lacking self-esteem and respect. At the same time a judicious, responsible and responsive authority is ever expected to identify, recognize and encourage good worker and good piece of work done. Conflicts arise when exploitation for gain and profit overrides all other considerations due to systemic deficiencies, subversions, sabotage or collective failure on the part of community to check such malaise. Dictionaries describe ‘ethics’ as a science of moral principles or moral duty and ‘morality’ as concerned with right or wrong conduct in practicing virtue. Ethical and moral conduct in human behaviour, though complex, is certainly not exclusive to him / her because all forms of living creatures exhibit practicing their ethical and moral responsibilities in raising, rearing, feeding and protecting their progenies to their best of capacity until the progenies are on their own. And such other responsibilities as keeping vigil and protection against natural predators, hunting in groups and sharing food etc are carried out by them both individually and collectively in groups or herds. Obligations, responsibilities and conduct for scientists Scientists from all disciplines, all nationalities and communities have been individually and collectively responsible for the material progress made and comforts
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provided to human kinds. They not only create new knowledge but transform that into useful products for mass production, consumption, use and comfort thereby containing or at least restraining jealousies, rivalries amongst populace who have and have-nots. However, it is the sagacity and responsibility of the ruling class to exploit new knowledge for the benefit and welfare of masses and curb the destructive / harmful use of the same. Almost all scientists pursue science essentially to satisfy their intellectual curiosity. They propose hypothesis without belief and labour hard to seek evidence for or against the hypothesis. A meager piece of new information discovered can be a starting point for a new industry and provides enough excitement and inspiration to them to continue their pursuit. In the olden days, scientists in general used to avoid or hide curiosity in public, about investigations in the fields such as; spirituality, mind, the aura fields, morphic and morphogenetic fields, paranormal, psychokinetic, consciousness, out of body experiences or even life after death phenomena for they were considered to be out of scientific culture for investigation. However, the rise and growth of ‘Quantum Physics’, ‘Theory of Relativity’, elementary particle physics and cosmology and their implications in understanding the nature of reality, have demolished all barriers, inhibitions, skepticism, reservations, prejudices, biases and dogmas in the study of these or related phenomena as problems of scientific inquiry. A true-scientist is therefore expected to be open to every kind of possibility and approaches to solving a particular problem in a multi-disciplinary effort. He should not be averse to considering every possible idea, how so ever bizarre it might appear, just because there is no precedent investigation reported on this line of approach. Today, any kind of scientific enquiry, starting from any discipline converges at the end on the ultimate nature of realty, the consciousness and its manifestation. Therefore, scientists are best advised to remain aware of the spectacular revolutionary developments in physics besides confining themselves to their own branch of science. After all physics and its laws form the under current of all scientific investigations. Who knows, carrying new ideas from seemingly unrelated discipline to your own may provide new understanding in your field of investigation? What is important being to keep the flame of inner urge and passion for new knowledge constantly burning within the heart, without fear, bias,
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prejudice and pride? One of the most successful public educators Mr. Shiv Khera maintains- “Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently”. Lord Krishna in the Bhagwad Geeta also pronounces that- “Any work accomplished to perfection with utmost sincerity and to best of ability is Yoga”. (Reprinted from University News, The Weekly Journal of Higher Education, Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, Vol 49 No. 03, January 17-23, 2011, pp 13-17.) References for further reading: 1.
Rousseau Pierre, ‘From Atom to Star’, S Chand & Co. 1987, pp78.
2.
Emsley, John, ‘Nature’s Building Blocks- An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp539.
3.
Hey, Tony and Walters Patrick, ‘The New Quantum Universe’ Cambridge University Press, 2003, pp357.
4.
Guney, M.R. ‘Dynaneshwari chey Bhava Vishwa’ in Marathi, Snehal Prakashan, Pune, 2006, pp192.
5.
Guney, M.R. ‘Geetartha Vishwa’ in Marathi (annotated with Commentary and translation in English by the author himself), Snehal Prakashan, Pune, 2005, pp 297.
6.
Athaley, Keshav Ganesh, Critical Commentary on Shri Dasbodh by Samartha Swami Ramdas, ‘Shri Dasbodh-Gudhartha Deepika’ in Marathi, Shri Dasbodh Gudhartha Deepika Prakashan Mandal, Indore & Ujjain, India, 1993, pp.710.
7.
Vivekananda, Swami, ‘Karma Yog’ Ramakrishna Mission
8.
Pujyashri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvatisvamigal, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha, ‘Hindu-Dharma-The Universal Way of Life-Voice of the Guru’, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, 1995, pp 790.
9.
‘Eight Upanishads’, Vol.1 (Isa, Kena, Katha and Taittiriya), Translated by Swami Gambhiranand, Advaita Ashram, Calcutta, 1972, pp 408.
10. Thakkar, Hirabhai, ‘Theory of Karma’ English Translation of original in Gujrati, Kusum Prakashan, Ahmedabad, India, 2001,pp 80. 11. Kubler Ross, Elizabeth, www.elisabethkublerross.com 12. Schwartz Gary E., and Simon, William L., ‘The Afterlife experiments Breakthrough scientific evidence of life after death’.Tria Books, 2002, pp 376. 13. Living Buddha Lian-sheng Sheng-yen Lu, ‘Living this moment in purity-Sexual
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misconduct and its cosmic consequences’. Translated by Janny Chow, Purple Lotus Society, USA, 2002, pp 178. 14. Falk Dean, ‘New information about Albert Einstein’s Brain, Frontiers of Evolutionary Neuroscience, 2009, Vol.1, 3. Published online 2009, May 4, Prepublished online 2009, April 2. doi:10.3389/ neuron.18.003.2009. 15. Sheldrake, Rupert, ‘The Hypothesis of A New Science of Life-Morphic Resonance’, Park Street Press, 1995, pp 272. 16. Fox Matthew and Sheldrake, Rupert, ‘The Physics of Angels-Exploring the Realm where Science and Spirit Meet’, HarperSan Francisco-An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, pp 226. 17. Farmelo Graham, Editor, ‘It must be beautiful-Great Equations of Modern Science’, Granta Books, 2003, pp 284.
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9. Agricultural Physics and Integrative Biology ABSTRACT This article is an essay expressing free flow of thoughts of a retired Scientist invoking young students and researchers in biology and agriculture for evolving themselves into a multidisciplinary specialist to enjoy the real pleasure of being a scientist and a career in scientific research. Introduction Schubler in 1838 was the first to systematically study various physical properties of soils, which were considered as a part of agricultural chemistry until the end of the seventeenth century. A Japanese Physicist, Professor Inagaki in 1905 is known to had published his book entitled-‘Agricultural Physics’, hybridizing disciplines of physics, plant-biology, chemistry and meteorology together and their applications in agriculture. However, E. Wollny in Germany developed the first initial concepts and scientific definitions of various physical properties of soils and an integrated discipline of Agricultural Physics as hybrid subject. He also published a ‘Journal of Agricultural Physics” regularly from 1877 to 1898. Several textbooks that followed in print by L D Baver, C W Rose, Don Kirkham and W L Powers, and the useful applications in practical soil management firmly established Agricultural Physics 1 directly or indirectly, independently or within the domain of a related discipline as a subject that cannot be ignored for understanding soils, soil-properties and their relation or inter-relations with biochemical / biophysical / physiological / environmental conditions of crop-plant growth. Today, many universities in various countries recognize Agricultural Physics as a major discipline although the problems being tackled by them vary in their reference, context and importance, depending on local priorities. A regular journal ‘International Agro-Physics’ is currently running into its 23 rd volume and carry original research articles on all aspects of physical sciences and applications of physical techniques and measurements in agricultural and biological sciences. In
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India, the Indian Society of Agro-Physics was established in 1989 and has since been doing an active service to the discipline. This society is also publishing its own journal by the name- Journal of Agricultural Physics since 2002. Agricultural Physics in India A small nucleus cell- ‘Physics in Agriculture’ was created in 1948 within the Division of the then Agricultural Chemistry in the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and within next fourteen years it was elevated into a full-fledged research and teaching division in 1962. The four major sub-groups at the time of its establishment were ( i ) soil physics ( ii ) environmental physics ( iii ) biophysics and ( iv ) agricultural meteorology. Today, all these form the major pillars of the edifice of Agricultural Physics as a composite discipline. Adequate core-courses are given to every student admitted to the discipline, on Basic Concepts of Physics, Soil physics, Biophysics and Meteorology and the degree is awarded in the integrated discipline of Agricultural Physics. Remote Sensing and its applications in soil, water, environment and natural resource management has also become a major activity in the division, although in principle it is only an extension of the conventionally known interactions (absorption, reflection, scattering, modification) of the electromagnetic radiation of various wavelengths and frequencies with matter, taught and researched earlier under a broad cover of optical spectroscopy with a difference that today it is pursued more through space or satellite borne equipments and analyses systems. The whole curriculum has been evolved to enable students to develop and inculcate the capacity to comprehend any object of their scientific investigation / exploration from a multidisciplinary angle in a holistic way and progress into what was known in earlier centuries as ‘Naturalist’ and in the terminology of the twenty first century as an ‘Integrative Biologist’. A National Symposium on ‘Four Decades of Agricultural Physics’ in India was specially organized in April 2003 1 to take stock of the work done in the area since inception in 1962 and to identify new avenues for further research and applications. In the context of present scenario of global atmospheric warming; changes in weather and weather patterns; pollution; rapid loss of forest and agricultural
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crop diversity in fields; crop growth duration, rotations and adjustments; extinction of our most precious fish, bird, insect, animal and microbiological species; identification, characterization and structure determination of bio-molecules and issues regarding intellectual property rights, there are several grounds to break and new dimensions to add. Understanding and exploring the possibilities for sustainable crop production and mutual survival has assumed utmost priority. Under the circumstances, Agricultural Physicists or Agro-Physics specialists have an important role to play in either leading or helping other biologists in their efforts to identify the physical forces and their limits of tolerance by the crop, animal, insect, fish and microbial genotypes on land, in atmosphere and aquatic systems for consequences and economic yields so as to be able to feed vast human and animal populations with reasonable nutritional standard. It may be emphasized here that it is the physical forces at a particular geographic location and environment that dominantly control development, growth, biochemistry, physiology, movements and yields despite the best genetic make up of a crop plant and its yield potential. And these forces also include geomagnetic field of the earth at a particular location, its intensity and modification with lunar phases and influx of normal solar radiation and occasionally abnormal coronal mass ejections from the Sun 2-5. The implications of such ejections from the Sun and their consequences on the earth’s atmosphere and life forms are being increasingly realized and appreciated with concern from the data accumulated from several studies conducted by NASA and the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) mission and the twin STEREO probes 6. Subtlest effects of such phenomenon were hitherto beyond instrumental detection and measurements and cause of their consequences were either incorrectly interpreted or attributed to something mysteriously unconnected. Role and scope of Physics, Agricultural Physics and New Trend of Integrative Biology Physics deals with simple things and selects those aspects of reality, which lead to simple conclusions. A physicist using his basic mathematical tools essentially seeks answers at three different levels; (a) to design apparatus for experiments and measure physical parameters with increased precision on the basis of knowledge about the
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interactions of a particular kind of energy with known matter; (b) to predict results from the existing theories and test them by experiments; and (c) to suggest new theories on mathematical analogies. Thereby, a physicist is always on the look out for some thing, which reduces apparently disconnected realities to some kind of order at least approximately or statistically. Today, Quantum theory has goaded us to use probability values rather than certainty as the conception in terms of which one can describe the events under observation. In a great many cases, this probability is so great that it almost amounts to certainty under specific conditions and is classified as a law. Physics is generally acknowledged to be the basis of all forms of engineering and technology although it is the practical side of engineering that has actually advanced physics than otherwise. This is illustrated by the fact that the study of thermodynamics emerged from an attempt to harness the power of the steam and rationalize the behavior of steam engines. When I first joined the Division of Agricultural Physics in 1968, the founder Head of the division in one of the scientific meetings, observed, that agriculture is more a technology for maximizing yields than a natural science. If this definition is accepted in its ‘true spirit’, then the role of physicists or application of physics has to be expanded in practically every agricultural discipline, be it entomology or crop protection, post harvest technology, agricultural food processing or the modern day biotechnology, which all operate on massive technological scales in practical agriculture in accordance with the same laws that are applicable to pure materials. Today, agriculture is gradually recognized globally to be an important industry although in India, agriculture in the interest of poor Indian farmers, continues to be a self employed / self occupied family profession. Numerous examples from the History of science and citations of Nobel winners testify that biological sciences including medicine and medical diagnostic sciences have flourished on the strength of inputs from physics and physical sciences. Much of the credit for pushing the limits of human eye in understanding the microstructural world goes particularly to the optical and the wonderful transmission and
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scanning electron microscopes and other devices such as the Scanning Tunneling Electron and Atomic Force Microscopes. For example, one single Scanning Electron Microscope under the charge of an innovative scientist can integrate several disciplines in agriculture because most problems of practical agriculture lye within the range of resolution of this instrument. The innovative book of celebrated physicist Erwin Schrodinger7, 8 - ‘What Is Life’ has not only been acknowledged to have led to found the disciplines of molecular biology, biophysics and the modern day molecular biotechnology but completely changed our mindset to look to biology from a mere descriptive science into a quantitative and probabilistically definitive scientific endeavor. The developments in Visible, Infrared, Raman, NMR-Spectroscopic techniques, X-ray diffraction, nuclear sciences, space science and technology and advances in computational techniques etc. have revolutionized the range of physical methods and analytical instruments made available to biologists. Useful practical applications of several of these physical techniques have been made and reported from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and from several other countries, in characterization, understanding the metabolic and biosynthetic cellular processes, diagnostics, soil moisture measurements, environmental interactions, biomass accumulation or contingent planning at the national or global levels. All this has been mentioned above not to suggest that physics is conquering biology or agriculture (and there is no such contentious issue involved at all) but to emphasize that the science we used to call ‘Biology’ is gradually unfolding itself to be an integral part of physics without difference or into ‘Integrative and Quantitative Biology’ by passing through a period of reconstruction on a unified foundation, dissolving thereby the barriers between the disciplines. Integrative biology therefore is not a new concept or a new paradigm. The hybrid subject of Agricultural Physics or Agro-physics is nothing short of so-called ‘Integrative Biology’ 9, 10. With the progress in physical sciences, several energy options have been made available to researchers as interacting probes with matter and the urge to know deeper and deeper has also grown in intensity and promise. The interpretation of results consciously or unconsciously evolved individual scientists who took initiative, into multidisciplinary mode with considerable advantage, reward and recognition over their relatively
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conservative counterparts. A cursory look at the massive list of research publications exclusively from the Division of Agricultural Physics 1 would reveal the applications and range of problems handled by the scientists at the interface within soil-plantwater-atmosphere continuum. However, with time and changing circumstances, research problems still, need to be studied and analyzed with greater mathematical precision and physical logic to the extent possible. Things must change sooner and much faster, if we wish to stay competitive and relevant in the twenty first century. With GATT, WTO and IPR rules and regulations and their execution coming into force globally, and legal battles for patent and intellectual property rights being required to be fought on the basis of molecular properties of bio-molecules, we need to ensure a free flow of sincerely interested, competent, curious individuals with conviction, inner urge and sense of purpose between the disciplines and maintain a sizeable force of scientifically and technically competent human resource to take care of the practical side of the purpose. The task is not an easy one. It requires efforts to attract trained Physicists to turn to biology and agriculture and vice versa, training biologists to evolve themselves into naturalists capable of appreciating widely different disciplines, courage in learning various techniques and to be able to think in their languages in relation to interpretation of data so generated. It is only then a researcher is expected to gain revealing fundamental insight into the living biological systems be it viruses, microbes, insects, plant or animals or all together in a holistic way. Meritorious, brilliant and knowledge hungry students and faculty from physics, mathematics, chemistry, botany, zoology and engineering etc. need to be attracted to biology and agriculture without discrimination by offering lucrative instrumental and infrastructure facilities, fellowships, positions, opportunities, academic freedom and salaries. A lesson can be taken from the success in the IT- and software industry with influx of workers from practically every known discipline. There is so much to learn for them from biological structures that nature creates, with most optimum energy and minimal entropy. The research and teaching of Physics and Agricultural Physics, in almost all State and Central Agricultural Universities in the country must enlarge and intensify in the years to come 11. The future lies in recognizing this fact and destiny, with those who will do so.
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The dimensions of human knowledge, forces of nature and inter-play of matter and energy in the universe It is now realized that the known portion of the Universe observed through the best of telescopic instruments extends for approximately 1010 light years, or 1028 cm. The smallest known distance from the knowledge of atomic and Elementary particle physics is 10-14 cm. A comparison of the smallest to the greatest distances yields the staggering number 1042 cm. These are indeed the dimensions of human knowledge between the two extreme infinities and only man can comprehend or at least attempt to comprehend their significance 12. A Naturalist / Physicist who concerns himself with any event that takes place at various levels in between these limits is called by various names such as a cosmologist, Helios-physicist, astrophysicist, cosmic ray physicist, atmospheric physicist, meteorologist, environmental physicist, geologist, soil-physicist, mineralogist, metallurgist, solid state physicist, nuclear physicist, elementary particle physicist, meta-physicist, bio-physicist, molecular biophysicist and so on13. According to our classification, a physicist designing a nuclear reactor, a chemist improving the properties of polyethylene, an agronomist optimizing conditions for maximizing crop production or a breeder producing a new animal breed or a plant type is different. All of these professionals although called by different names are essentially engaged in unraveling relationships between only matter and energy in their own way of thinking and limits. However, such classification is purely arbitrary and leads to not only misconceptions but also disastrous conditioning of human mind, because knowledge is an inter-linked continuum without discreet boundaries. Man, on the face of the earth, lives in a world of material things of diverse kinds created, sustained and recycled by four types of primary forces of nature recognized by physicists as; weak interaction, strong interaction, electro-weak and gravitation 4, 14. A mysterious, all pervading, super attractive (not the kind of gravity) ‘fifth force’ originating at the interface of the universe has also been contemplated 4. This ‘fifth force’ differs from the other attractive force of gravitation in that it is exerted on the matter itself and not on the mass of matter as gravitation does. Only time will tell, if this so called ‘all pervading attractive fifth force’ will ever be identified
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to be the illusive ‘Cosmic Consciousness’? The proposed Large Hadron Collision Experiment at the CERN, Geneva is a step further in our understanding the nature of material creation in the universe. It may be understood that all creations in the universe are not only crystalline but also periodic and cyclic in nature, forming various structures under different conditions and finally breaking up and returning back into the primordial natural elements from which they got formed. This is also equally true about all bio-molecules and biological structures involving predominantly atoms of specific elements so characteristic of living organisms 15. What is therefore required being an open, unbiased, broad mind, not necessarily in terms of detailed comprehension, but endowed with infinite innocence and curiosity to understand how the events in this world of material things are interlinked for the creation and survival of plant, animal, insect, microbes and humankinds. All this requires transgression into various disciplines and therefore, preparing students with such innocence, urge, curiosity and awareness from an early age in schools, colleges and universities should be the real purpose of our education and so called Human Resource Development. (Reprinted from ‘University News’ A weekly journal of Higher Education, Association of Indian Universities, Vol 47, No. 43 (Oct. 26- Nov. 01), pp 10-13, 2009.) References 1.
‘Four Decades of Agricultural Physics’ Editor A.V. Moharir et.al Division of Agricultural Physics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. April 2003.
2.
Becker, Robert O. and Gary Selden, (1985), ‘The Body Electric, Electromagnetism and the foundation of life’, Harper.
3.
Brown, Guy (2000), ‘The Energy of Life, The science of what makes our minds and bodies work’, The Free Press.
4.
Chown, Marcus. (2000), ‘The Magic Furnace’ Vintage.
5.
Cowan, David with Anne Silk (1999) ‘Ancient Energies of the Earth, A ground breaking exploration of the Earth’s natural energy and how it affects our health’, Thorsons, An Imprint of Harper Collins.
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6.
SOHO :Solar and heliospheric observatory, A Project of International Cooperation between European Space Agency and NASA, Homepage, http:// Sohowww.nascom.nasa-gov/sunworks/HallOFFame/Summer05.html
7.
Scrodinger Erwin. (1992), ‘What is Life’ with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches, Cambridge University Press
8.
Murphy, Michael. P. and O’Neill, Luke A.J. Editors (1995), ‘What is Life? The Next Fifty Years, Speculations on the Future of biology’, Cambridge University Press.
9.
Moharir, A.V. (2003) National Symposium on Emerging Trends in Agricultural Physics, Souvenir, April 22-24, 2003, Indian Society of Agrophysics, New Delhi, p 30-32.
10.
Pearse, John S, (2002) Symposium: The Promise of Integrative Biology, January 2-6, Anaheim, California, pp 276-277.
11.
Moharir, A.V. (2005)’Physics in agriculture and Agricultural physics as a profession’, University News, A weekly journal of higher education of the Association of Indian Universities, Vol 43(06) 7-12 & 18.
12.
Parnov, E.I. (1971) ‘At the Cross Roads to Infinities’ Translated from Russian by Vladimir Talmy, MIR Publishers, Moscow.
13.
Baranov, V.I. et. al (1968) Editor. ‘The Interaction of Sciences in the Study of the Earth’ Translated from Russian by Vladimir Talmy
14.
Weinberg, Steven, (2003) ‘The Discovery of the Subatomic Particles, Revised Edition’, Cambridge University Press.
15.
Thomas Pat. (2004), ‘Under the weather-How the weather and climate affect our health’, Fusion Press & Division of Satin Publications Ltd. London, pp 258.
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10. Issues about Atmospheric and Fertilizer Nitrogen, Global Warming and Urgent Priorities ABSTRACT In this article, opinion has been expressed against neglecting the largescale withdrawal of gaseous atmospheric nitrogen in ever increasing quantities for commercial production of synthetic urea fertilizer and ammonia gas for a multitude of industrial uses. Shear magnitude of the quantity of the withdrawal of gaseous nitrogen from the lowermost (Stratosphere and Troposphere) atmospheric layers should alarm us about the likely consequences in the atmosphere and percolation of solar radiation on the surface of the earth. The opinion has been discussed in the light of the recent reports about the deleterious consequences of nitrogen fertilization being witnessed on a global scale in vanishing plant-biodiversity and public health. Indiscriminate greed and competition for access to sources of energy, material wealth and economic prosperity are straining our global natural resources. Approximate calculations done, based on known values, on the magnitude of annual gaseous atmospheric nitrogen withdrawal presented here are staggering and the gap is widening gradually with each year passing. With a holistic practical view including contribution from coronal mass ejection from the Sun, it has been passionately proposed to stop further withdrawal of gaseous nitrogen immediately to allow nature to not only build up its natural reserve to 78.08% but to maintain that critical balance on perpetual basis. No serious researches on the deleterious effects of large scale continual withdrawal of gaseous nitrogen from the lower most atmospheric layers in relation to the pristine natural balance of all atmospheric constituents have ever been directed purely because of the assumption / false notion / miss-conception / complacency or possibly a ‘mind-set’ that atmospheric nitrogen reserve is so abundant that any large scale tampering of natural critical balance of this reserve will have no effect on the atmosphere, density of air and nitrogen, partial pressures, their molecular mobility, chemical
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reactivity of gaseous molecules and their consequent effects, individually and collectively in accordance with the laws of chemical kinetics. Withdrawal of atmospheric nitrogen is intimately linked up to the industrial and material prosperity and to the demand of crop yields to sustain human population of about 6.5 billion at the present levels of food and nutrition security. This scenario cannot continue indefinitely without serious natural catastrophe and threat to survival of species. Conscious efforts are therefore required to limit global human population in all countries irrespective of religious labels and political considerations to reduce the demand on nitrogenous fertilizer and help the earth to regain and restore its natural balance of atmospheric nitrogen in relation to other gaseous constituents. (*) The opinions discussed in this article are purely personal views of the author and are meant for further discussion by the academic and scientific community. Key Words: Atmospheric nitrogen, depletion, global warming, population
Introduction Attention of the civilized world has long been drawn by the sagacious scientific community to possible global warming and its consequential effects on the changes in environment, climate and weather conditions and for continued survival of the biological life forms of plant, insect, animal and aquatic origins on the earth. People born in the forties of the last century, particularly after the end of the Second World War, from almost all parts of the world vouch as witnesses for such changes taking place within their living memory. Geologists have been seeking evidence for such climatic changes in the spatial shifting of magnetic north and south poles, periodic inversion of the magnetic polarity of the earth and periodic recurrence of such events on geological time scale. Paleontologists have been seeking evidence in the fossils, excavated from various parts of the world and the reasons and causes for the death of the fossilized organisms almost certainly due to changes in the climate of that time. The glaciologists are seeking answers in the layers of the ice-caps buried for centuries on the icy polar regions, whereas, the cosmologists and meteorologists have been trying to extract answers and the causes for global warming in the regular, observation
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of the periodic sun-spot activity and gigantic eruptions from over the surface of the sun. This debate and dialogue has been intensified in the last 3-5 decades and more seriously after the availability of the state of the art remote sensing satellites in polar orbits, Hubble Space Telescope, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) designed to help us understand the Sun’s influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and several such others, exclusively devoted to monitor the environment and keep a constant watch over human indulgence in natural processes and their repercussions on the earth’s atmosphere. These efforts, no doubt, have helped us in getting forewarning signals about the impending natural events. Observations recorded through these satellites have revealed for the first time, the changing patterns of the upper atmospheric plasma at the North and South poles, under the combined influence of the near perpendicular (but directionally opposite in orientation) magnetic field of the earth at poles, dynamic electrical state of the upper atmospheric layers, physical and chemical constitution of the gaseous atmosphere, intensity and the state of the continuous flux of the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the Sun and the solar activity (protons) reaching the earth’s atmosphere in addition to the highly energetic cosmic radiations from the inter-galactic space. These spectacular observations in the form of variously colored display of Aurora borealis flares (Northern Lights) in the northern and Aurora austral is in the southern hemispheres respectively. The annular rings of differential intensity contrast around South Polar region for several years also lead to ringing a global alarm on Ozone layer depletion and formation of so called ‘Ozone holes’ that were believed to be allowing percolation of the harmful ultraviolet radiations through them at the polar regions and resulting thereby, the melting of polar ice covers. This initiated an intensive debate about the myth and reality of the global warming which has continued for several decades now with even well established experts divided equally and arguing in favor and against of both these arguments
1-4
. These discussions may go on
indefinitely but the fact remains that there have been gradual and at times abrupt and alarming changes in the environmental, climatic and weather conditions in most parts of the world. Whereas excessive human indulgence on the one hand is causing
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concern, the significant contribution of the Sun (Coronal Mass Ejection and Proton Cloud) towards this warming is also being appreciated gradually now, particularly after the launch of the European Space Agency’s ‘Solar and Heliospheric Observatory’ (SOHO) satellite to monitor the solar activity and its correlated consequences on the atmosphere, human, plant and animal life, electrical power grids, computer networks and communication and navigational support systems on the earth 5,6. In fact, the regular periodic Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) from the Sun had been there for billions of years and all life form dwellers on the earth had been bearing its brunt patiently ever since their appearance on the earth. What has caused the situation to come to almost unbearable state, beyond the limits of variations hitherto observed through the recorded history, particularly in the last five to six decades needs to be analyzed expeditiously irrespective of political, geo-political, economic, trade and commercial considerations, for possible link with large scale tampering and human indulgence in changing the nitrogen balance in Earth’s atmosphere, because our survival as a human race is at stake? 6 The discussion about the myth and realty of global warming and threat to the existence of biosphere has been finally put to rest in the recognition of the comprehensive report of the InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the award of the Nobel Prize. However, major scientific problems involving dynamics of complex changes in atmospheric composition and chemical reactivity of atmospheric gases, individually and collectively in association with each other still remain unresolved. It is ultimately the structural conformation of the molecules that determine properties and their effects on other matter. Search and Identification of the culprit In the search for identifying the real culprit responsible not exclusively but in substantial measure for the global warming, several candidates such as the methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, aerosols and nitrous oxides (N2O), individually, in groups or collectively together have been held responsible with voluminous mass of experimental evidence consciously collected in support and confirmation of the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC and other variants of Halocarbons) for warming through ‘green house effect’ and Ozone depletion. These scientific
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efforts almost lead to a virtual economic war between nations with the developed nations urging the developing countries to reduce their part of contribution to the emission of the green house gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere as a result of increasing human and bovine cattle population, industrial and agricultural activities and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers after the end of the Second World War. With a burden of perpetual poverty, illiteracy, unprecedent population growth and lack of alternate resources, any such measure or suggestion coming from the developed and highly industrialized world could certainly be not acceptable. On the contrary, agricultural activities are vigorously promoted by the governments in all developing countries of the world for increasing crop yields per unit area of cultivable land simply because, the application of fertilizer nitrogen increases the biomass production of most crop plants. The amount of industrially fixed nitrogen applied to crops during the decade from 1980 to 1990 more than equaled all industrial fertilizer applied previously in the entire human history. The methane budget from Indian paddy fields has been estimated 7 to be around 4X10 5 Tones per year and global concentration of atmospheric N2O (reactive nitrogen) has been reported to be increasing at a rate of 0.25% per year 8 and it was 33 Tg N per year in 2000 9. The deleterious effect of excess nitrogen fertilizer application to soil has been recently seen in pushing several other rare plant biodiversity species out of existence and possibly to extinction 10, loss of calcium, magnesium and potassium, extensive acidification of soils and waters of streams, rivers and other water bodies 11. Humans have already doubled the rate of nitrogen entering the landbased nitrogen cycle and excessive nitrogen additions have polluted almost all ecosystems, altered ecological functioning and the living communities they support 11
. The risk of species loss due to nitrogen fertilization has been assessed to range
from more than 60% for rare plant species to approximately 10% for even the most abundant of the existing species 10. The National Institute of Health in its recent Newsletter
12
has highlighted 11 key categories of diseases and other health
consequences that are likely to assume alarming proportions due to climate change besides food and water-borne diseases and nutrition, weather and heat-related morbidity and mortality, mental health and stress-related disorders, and vector-borne and zoonotic diseases transmitted from animals and insects to humans.
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The development, introduction and extensive cultivation of the high yielding, fertilizer responsive (particularly to nitrogen) crop plant varieties of cereals, vegetables and fodder crops almost every where, have not only sky-rocketed the demand for nitrogenous fertilizers but to augment the industrial capacity and production of urea as well. The World urea production increased almost exponentially after the end of the Second World War and the data given in Table-1, indicates about 7 % increase in world production of urea from 48.84 million Tones in 1999 to 52.78 million Tones N in 2003. This increase is about 30% in Latin America and 8% in Asia. A combined total of equivalent nitrogen withdrawal for the global production of only two of the nitrogen based industrial products, Ammonia and Urea (Tables-1&2) is equivalent to 161.79 million Tones N and represents by far the largest human contribution of ‘New Nitrogen’ to the global cycle.— ( 1 ). Major applications of ammonia include; production of fertilizers, plastics and fibres, explosives and intermediates for dyes and pharmaceuticals besides its use as a solvent and refrigerant 13. It is expected that by the year 2050, the N input in cropping will further increase substantially with the addition of about 3.5 billion more people to the global human population by then. Table-3 (a & b) summarizes the recent demand projections for ammonia and urea until the end of the year 2013. Total atmospheric nitrogen reserve, extent of depletion, partial pressures and consequences Let us now try to assess through some very rough calculations the total amount of available gaseous nitrogen in the atmosphere of the Earth in the light of some well-known facts. The average diameter of the Earth is 7921 miles or 12756 Km. Assuming the Earth to be a perfect sphere, the average radius is 6378 Km. Further, almost all the gaseous nitrogen in the atmosphere is known to be concentrated within the Stratosphere and the Troposphere, whose thickness above the surface of the Earth extend to 10 Km for Stratosphere and to further 50 Km beyond for the Troposphere. The volume of the combined layer of the Stratosphere and Troposphere, calculated using simple geometric calculations is 30.9 X 10 9 Cubic Kilometers (Km3) ..( 1 ).
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Density of gaseous nitrogen is known to change with latitude, altitude, temperature and atmospheric pressure from 1.185 Kg / m3 (at 1.013 bar and 15 0 C 0) equivalent to 1185 X 10 3 Tones / Km3 to as high as 4.614 Kg / m3 (at 1.013 bar and boiling point of N). Taking the average density of gaseous nitrogen within the Stratoand Troposhperic layers to be 1185 X 10 3 Tones / Km3, the total Mass of gaseous atmospheric nitrogen can be estimated by multiplying density and previously calculated combined volume of these (Strato- and Tropospheric) layers and this amount of mass comes to; Total Mass of Nitrogen in Strato- = Volume X Density and Troposheric layers of the
= 30.9 X 10 9 X 1185 X 10 3
earth’s atmosphere
= 36616 X 10 12 Tones
Rounded to
= 36 X 10 15
Tones ————— ( 2 )
And this value calculated here is very close and of the same order of magnitude as 4.5 X 10 15 Tones for the global nitrogen reservoir given elsewhere 13, 14. Little calculation performed over the values given in ‘The online encyclopedia and dictionary-Fact Archive.com’ give a much higher value for nitrogen reserve as 3850 X 10 15 Tones. Such variations are natural in view of the fact that there are no definite boundaries between the atmospheric layers and abrupt cut-off, however, the ‘Karman Line’, at (100 km / 62 miles), is frequently used as the boundary between atmosphere and space and includes both the troposphere and stratosphere. The ratio of the total amount of gaseous nitrogen available in the atmosphere to the total amount of gaseous atmospheric Nitrogen withdrawn for commercial global production of only two major industrial products i.e. Urea and Ammonia (Tables 1 & 2) will be equal to; = 36 X 10 15 / 16.17 X 10 7 = 21 X 10 7
————————————( 3 )
Which is almost half the power function value of the total quantity of available mass of gaseous Nitrogen in the atmosphere ( 2 ). The values of the quantities in absolute terms may appear insignificant but any tampering with the critical natural balance of nitrogen gas (N2) for 78 % of the air we breath, on this scale of magnitude can never
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be expected to be left without any consequences on the atmospheric system as a whole. And this balance is so critical that if it raises much above this level we would die of asphyxiation. In the absence of any factual data on the quantities involved in the various nitrogen cycles and particularly N2O records 15, it would therefore be unscientific and unreasonable to believe or assume that natural soil, atmospheric, oceanic ‘nitrogen cycles’ under the prevalent conditions of the Earth’s atmosphere, take care for the total replenishment of the annually locked amount of gaseous nitrogen back into the atmosphere almost at the same rate at which it is being withdrawn 15, 16
. Nitrogen whether in the form of the ‘Natural’ or ‘New / reactive Nitrogen’,
remains largely locked in the atmosphere and getting it from the atmosphere is not an easy task as they are too stable to transform easily into reactive compounds that plants can easily assimilate. Despite laudable efforts in accounting, knowledge about the passage of nitrogen into and out of cultivated fields around the globe and from the various nitrogen cycles remains grossly imprecise because much of these estimates based on computer models are in fact extrapolations on Global scales from very few site-specific experiments without deep considerations to the dynamics and complex chemical kinetics that are involved within and between the various ecosystems of the world. Whereas, quantifying the rate of natural nitrogen fixation prior to human alterations of the cycle is very difficult, it is necessary for evaluating the impact of human-driven changes to the global cycling of nitrogen. The annual yearly estimates of the contribution of nitrogen to the atmosphere from various nitrogen cycles by Peter Vitousek et.al 11 indicate that worldwide, lightening fix less than 5 X 10 6 Tons of nitrogen, microbes on the land fix about 14 X 10 6 Tons N, by the nitrogen fixing crops 40 X 10 6 Tons N, from fossil fuel burning 20 X 10 6 Tons N, by the biological storage pools 40 X 10 6 Tons N, and overall, fertilizer production, legumes crops, fossil fuel burning deposit approximately 140 X 10 6 Tons N into land-based ecosystem 11 a figure equivalent to the total amount of nitrogen fixed by the organisms every year. From this evidence it is fair to conclude that human activities have almost doubled the transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere into land-based biological nitrogen cycle. This point has also been substantiated from the calculations (2 & 3) shown earlier in this article. Obviously, under pressure from the growing
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human population, there is no possibility, scope or even hope of any reduction in the next few decades in this rate of urea production, application and consumption under intensive agricultural practices, at least until 2030 17. The above calculation does not include the figures for the withdrawal of atmospheric nitrogen for production of liquid nitrogen for a variety of other industrial purposes such as refrigeration, cryo-preservation, regeneration of alumna and molecular sieves, medium for exhaust of emitted heat in fluid bed reactors, temperature control in reactors, to prevent oxidation of food as an atmosphere in sealed food packages, cryo-preservation of living tissues and cells, blanket for chemical reactors, in pharmaceutical industries for lypholization, cryo-grinding, drying, liquid-phase transfer of products, low temperature storage, cryo-condensation of waste gases, manufacture of hydrazine (N2H2) a rocket propellant, hydroxylamine (NH2OH), azo-dyes, synthetic textile fibers and some others such as welding and cutting, in electronics, electrical, oil and gas, automotive industry and in tyres to prolong their useful life several folds. The realistic factual data on the total quantity of nitrogen gas diverted to such various uses and applications on Global level is not accurately known. However, considering the total volume of trade involved in these respective categories, this quantity of nitrogen requirement and used annually on global scale cannot be meager or negligible by any calculations. It would be observed from Table-2 that the total world ammonia production is a staggering 109 million Tones of equivalent Nitrogen and is projected to grow up to 218 million Tones by the year 2013, Table-3 (b). Therefore, over the successive years, we are in fact gradually depleting and disturbing the natural balance of gaseous nitrogen, particularly from the exclusive lowermost layers of the atmosphere, resulting in a decrease in the average density of the air and changes in the partial pressure. This decrease in average density is erroneously, assumed, imagined, perceived or argued by any one to be insignificant in the light of the total amount (mass) of the available nitrogen reserve and inaccurate ideas about annual replenishment of atmospheric nitrogen through various nitrogen cycles, can be of tremendous consequence in practical sense as a molecular phenomenon depending simultaneously on temperature, total pressure,
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volumes involved, partial pressures of individual gases, nature of chemical bonds involved and activation energies of the gaseous molecules. It may be visualized that such decrease in concentration vis a vis density of a relatively heavier gas as nitrogen with consequent reduction in partial pressure and molecular interactions may also allow percolation of increased solar intensity flux to the surface of the soil and possibly contribute to global warming. Temperature after all is just a measure of the activity of molecules. At sea level, air molecules are so thickly packed together that one molecule can move only the tiniest distance before banging into another. Because trillions of molecules are constantly colliding, a lot of heat gets exchanged. And with decrease in density, molecules move apart with increase in their kinetic energy and consequently with rise in temperature. The natural Nitrogen (N2) density variations have indeed been reported from the sea level to higher altitude and also certainly with the latitude, being the highest at the poles than near the equator 18. Alternately, it is known that three fourth of the atmosphere is within only 11 km of the planetary surface from the sea level. The density of air at sea level is about 1.2 kg / m3 and since Nitrogen gas constitutes 75.523 % of air by mass at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature followed by Oxygen (23.133% by mass), any experimentally observed variation in density of air with altitude and latitudes obviously implies corresponding changes in the density of Nitrogen gas as well. Therefore, continual withdrawal of nitrogen on such massive scale from the atmosphere for production of urea must definitely be affecting the natural dynamic balance. There is no conscious experiment conducted so far and data generated. This point may also be gauged from analogical comparison from the following example and the argument that more than the quantities, the characteristic physical and chemical properties of the atoms, molecules, compounds and complexes of the gases involved, nature and properties of their chemical bonds and their activation energies are responsible for the dramatic effects caused. It is known that the absorption capacity of the tiny amount of carbon dioxide gas times its abundance (0.001267 % by mass) contributes to nearly 54 % of the green house effect
19.
Methane, present in the
atmosphere in trace quantities is well known to be among the greenhouse gases that
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traps radiation energy and produce global warming which is almost 30 X times more than that of CO2 (carbon dioxide)1. And all this is in spite of the fact that the concentration of methane in atmosphere (1.745 ppmv) in general is over 200 times lower than that of carbon dioxide. The average concentration of methane in the atmosphere was observed to be increasing by about 1% per annum 20 in the 19801990 and gradually decreasing thereafter 16. If, increase in methane concentration by 1% per annum and that too in relatively very trace quantities can be consequentially so disastrous, it would be improper and unscientific to assume or even neglect that increasing withdrawal of atmospheric nitrogen at the rate of almost 2-3% per annum in quantity beyond the consumption level of 48.8 million Tones in the year 1999, and in the order of 10 8 Tones N, will have no significant terrestrial consequences in the atmosphere and its effects on the life forms. Vertical Profile Distribution of Nitrous Oxides in atmosphere In the lonely paper of its kind, which talks about a comparative vertical profile distribution of Nitrogen Dioxide from 20 to 50 Km above sea level estimated by using both Satellite Borne Remote Sensing (Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement POAM-III) and earth based equipments (Gas Analyzer Spectrometer correlating Optical Differences (GASCOD) installed at Antactica, from 1999 to 2005, Kulkarni et. al. 31 have observed the maximum concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide from both the earth and space borne platforms to be at a height of H” 25 Km above sea level. Limits of Planetary Systems Professor Johan Rockstrom, et.al. (2009)32 in their excellent recent article ‘A safe operating space for humanity’ have identified the crucial nine ‘Earth-System Processes and Associated Thresholds Limits’ which, if crossed , are expected to generate unacceptable environmental change to offset the stable ‘Holocene State’ of the atmosphere conducive for existence of the entire biodiversity and human beings. These authors have also indicated that against the permissible safe boundary limits of only 35 Million Tones per year for removal of inert Nitrogen from the atmosphere, the current rate of withdrawal is over 192 Million Tones of reactive nitrogen into the ecosystem per year and this amount is gradually rising with every year passing.
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Nitrogen scarcity, resident time of N-Oxides and incomplete understanding of N-dynamics Nitrogen the most abundant and also essential element for all living creatures of the biosphere, can be only used when it is chemically transformed or ‘fixed’ into compounds that can be metabolized by them. This capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen has been bestowed by nature to a select type of bacteria, algae, plants and to some extent to the phenomenon of atmospheric lightening under the influence of high voltage discharges. Further, because of the amount of such ‘available nitrogen’ from all known natural processes is relatively so small in comparison to the requirement of ever increasing intensity of crop cultivation, nitrogen availability in terrestrial ecosystems is emerging into one of the most precious commodity for sustaining necessary level of crop production. At the same time, it is also an established fact that all ecosystems under natural environmental conditions and geographical locations are able to absorb only a limited amount of additional nitrogen for biomass production and the rest finds its way into several other channels such as ground water, lakes, wells, rivers, leaching losses and ultimately into the sea. A substantial amount of nitrogen also gets buffered and locked up into the soil as insoluble / or sparingly soluble nitrogenous compounds. The turnover time
21
of various nitrogenous
compounds, in view of high bond energy, varies from less than a year to 10 million years before they are returned to the atmosphere. The complex chemistry and dynamics of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds in the entire atmosphere-soilwater-ecosystems is still not understood with certainty, and much of our projections are based on extrapolations of small location-specific experiments on global scales with the help of computer simulated models. What mechanisms control the plant growth under nitrogen fertilization in different ecosystems and with what efficiency is not known for certain even today in spite of a global work-force of talented scientists working on the problem? Perhaps, an immensely challenging, stimulating hypothesis and unorthodox approach to evolution in the form of ‘New Science of Life- morphogenetic fields and morphic resonance’ proposed by Rupert Sheldrake 22
may possibly provide satisfactory answers to such questions in future. Nature has
certainly given plants, animals and human beings the scope to evolve, enlarge, improve and grow within constraints of its own laws but not to unlimited capacity.
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Deleterious effects of nitrogen toxicity Very startling studies 11, 23 on the effect of excessive nitrogen fertilization of soils and air- and water-borne nitrogen on human and animal health, has pointed out definite associations and links to declining soil fertility, inhibition of crop growth, respiratory ailments, cardiac disease, several forms of cancers, increased incidence of vectorborne diseases such as West-Nile-virus, malaria and cholera, allergic pollen production and unbalanced dietary conditions even amongst citizens of the economically wealthy nations. These studies 11, 23 clearly link the growing public health risk well beyond the associated benefits of increased food production to the indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilization of soils. Even principles of human physiology emphatically suggest that deficiency of nitrogen rich amino acids, proteins, nutrients and anti-oxidants in the body induce oxidative stress and accelerate ageing. Sun spot activity and Coronal Mass Ejection The other aspect and the most likely source of global warming that has not been taken very seriously so far being the solar activity, flares, Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and their overall impact on the atmosphere of the earth. Alarming realities due to solar activity have only begun to be detected and appreciated with the launch in December 1995 23 of the Solar Helio-spheric Observatory (SOHO) observation Satellite and the recent Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) as watchdogs of solar activity and startling data received and analyzed. The subtler aspects of continued Aurora flares, usually associated with a greenish and reddish light (557.7, 630, and 636.4 nm) besides blue and violet colours
24
at times, can affect the total
photosynthesis and cellular biomass both on land and in oceans within the zone of influence since it is the plants in the oceans that produce essentially all of the oxygen we breath in the Earth’s atmosphere 25, 26. Although the atmosphere is not enclosed with a definite boundary, yet, the fluctuations due to the thrust of highly intense magnetic fields and electrically charged plasma received at the top of the atmospheric layers and periodic lunar gravitational pull on the earth, set the gaseous atmosphere into oscillations effecting thereby the volume changes and global circulation of winds
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across the earth surface. Such forces are even otherwise known to be exerted on the atmosphere and on the ocean beds during the regular monthly lunar phases and tides 24, 27
with serious repercussions on the spin velocity of the earth. Shear minuteness
of the magnitude of such changes keep us complacent, insensitive and un-alarmed in general, but all plant physiologists are aware of the response of plants to the weakest of natural forces i.e. sound, light, gravity, gravitational pull of the Moon and effects of electric and magnetic fields on plants 27. Organic farming, constraints and compulsions for sustainable levels of crop production Realization, awareness and global preference for organically produced food is not without reason and for nothing 28. Even agricultural scientists are convinced that agronomy of organic production of cereals can yield almost same quantities of food grains as with full doses of recommended synthetic chemical fertilizer. What are then the compulsions? The most important reasons for not reverting to organic agriculture being; the lack of availability of fully composted organic manure in sufficient quantities to sustain present level of crop yields per unit area of cultivable land to feed the human population 29. Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug 30 the father of Green Revolution world wide and Nobel Laureate is very emphatic in denouncing reduction in the use of nitrogenous fertilizers simply because, we may be required to bring in additional land from available forests to agriculture in order to be able to feed the present world population and sustain animals with sufficient fodder. Therefore, the global priority for adoption in all agriculture oriented countries should be for mandatory conversion of all the agricultural, human and animal waste into compost and reduce application of nitrogen fertilizers by almost half the current level. Dr. Borlaug 30 is still apprehensive that even such measures will fall short to sustain only half of the world population today and therefore, there is no alternative to continued use of synthetic fertilizers and to go in for large-scale cultivation of high yielding genetically modified (GMO) crops. The ‘Big Question’ that is posing us here being; ‘Do we want to sustain ourselves with filled stomach and stay unhealthy and diseased’? Even this may not be possible because the principle of human physiology is known to even kill hunger in an unhealthy or diseased body.
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The issue of most primary importance is to protect our atmosphere from large-scale human intervention by adding more and more ‘New Reactive Nitrogen’ to the global cycle 11 and help in restoring the natural balance in overall atmospheric gaseous constituents and that of nitrogen to 78.08%. The time has come for the agricultural and environmental scientists to declare that there is no more capacity left to further strain our soil, water and atmospheric resources without associated and catastrophic repercussions and virtually force the natural atmospheric balance to the brink of irreversible restoration. There is urgent need to put an end to further exploitation. Nature can support barely 15 persons per hectare of farm land with good soil, adequate moisture, mild climate that allows practical cultivation round the year at the most adequate levels of nutrition and health 28
. Such lands are limited and even those wherever available are under threats
of degradation as a result of continuous fertilizer application. It is the compassionate view of Dr. N.E. Borlaug 30 for the humanity that he would still prefer to sustain crop production with synthetic N fertilizers to feed the population. The other side ‘holistic view’ is not so bright. And this view should be supported as a conscious policy by all the enlightened citizens of the world for urgently cutting down the human population growth rate, irrespective of national or continental belonging, free from the tags or labels of non-sensible religious belonging and for narrow political considerations. Time is ticking away before a major catastrophe befalls and our very existence is wiped out. We must, as enlightened citizens, learn to live on the planet earth according to the laws determined by the Nature and owe responsibility for the continued existence of our race and future generations on the earth. Some plausible practical measures as collective and cooperative action Much of the service in saving food can be achieved alternatively, if diversification, manufacture and sale of cereal food items with poor shelf life are either banned or cut to the minimum. It is the uncontrolled diversification in the name of innovation, economic value addition, vigorous marketing and sale promotion in both conventional and unconventional markets to targeted consumers that is also building up an unnatural
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pressure on farmers and agricultural scientists for increasing soil and crop plant productivity to meet the new demand on raw materials at unprecedented rates. Such measures are not new in India as we had earlier banned diversion of milk for commercial production of ‘khoya’ and sweets made of milk to ensure availability of liquid milk for children with considerable success. Unlike industrial production, the linearity of relationship between farm inputs and crop yields has a very low slope. Too much of economic and commercial considerations with excessive greed in all agricultural activities are killing our resources beyond redemption. It is time to let some scope left for emotional attachment of our farmers with their land, water resources, animals and the mother Earth to feed us with health, vitality and vigor. National and international policies under strict supervision of the United Nations should attempt to develop and disseminate more efficient and eco-friendly fuel combustion technologies under public domain; encourage and financially support building infrastructure for efficient public transport systems; discourage manufacture, sale and maintenance of private vehicles; encourage compulsory composting of biological waste; efficient farm management practices; re-forestation and water conservation schemes, reduce / restrict production, release and application of nitrogenous fertilizers globally; enforce restrictions on consumption of electricity for neon sign advertisement during nights; and restrict population growth globally. (*) The opinions discussed in this article are purely personal views of the author and are meant for wider discussion by the academic and scientific community and to initiate conscious experiments to practically verify the facts regarding depletion of atmospheric nitrogen.
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Table – 1. WORLD UREA PRODUCTION BY REGION IN N ‘000 Tones N
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
West Europe
1925
1917
2235
2081
2068
Central Europe
1036
1496
1303
1184
1398
E. Europe & C. Asia
3825
4198
4024
4303
4456
North America
5599
5283
4438
5080
4511
Latin America
1536
1171
1593
1922
1941
Africa
209
34
West Asia (M.East)
4640
4945
Asia
29875
Oceania WORLD TOTAL
-
-
-
5420
5870
5608
30331
30168
31667
32579
195
204
226
200
223
48841
49578
49408
52306
52783
WORLD TOTAL (According To Dr. Norman E. Borlaug)13
80 m Tones N
Source : IFA – Production and International Trade –July 2005 Table – 2. WORLD AMMONIA PRODUCTION BY REGION IN N ‘000 Tones N
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
10,390
10,815
9,891
9,729
9,750
-
3,583
4,664
4,232
3,599
4,430
-
E. Europe & C. Asia 13,650
14,644
14,517
14,517
15,401
-
North America
17,063
15,919
12,557
14,038
12,267
-
Latin America
5,492
4,981
5,858
6,466
6,516
-
Africa
1,449
1,076
1,033
1,116
1,128
-
West Asia (M.East)
6,916
7,340
7,930
8,525
8,037
-
46,011
46,804
46,885
48,880
50,569
-
541
681
879
796
914
-
West Europe Central Europe
Asia Oceania WORLD TOTAL FOR YEARS m Tones #
105 094 2005 123
106,923 103,780 107, 665 109,011 117,000# 2006
2007
126
131
125
Source : IFA – Production and International Trade –July 2005 # : Represents total world production of urea : K G Soh, International Fertilizer Industry Association Table-3 (a) : Total Estimated World Production of Urea until 2013 Purpose
Year 2008
Year 2013
For Fertilizer Demand
99.0 million Tones
110.0 million Tones
For Non-Fertilizer Demand
21.8 million Tones
27.9 million Tones
Global Consumption of Urea For Agriculture and Industry
146.0 million Tones
174.0 million Tones 210.0 million Tones
** Actual World Urea Production in year 2000 = 107.4 mTones Source : Health Protection Agency-Ammonia Production and Uses, Citizendium, The Citizen’s Compendium website & FAO, Rome, 2000Fertilizer Requirements in 2015 and 2030. ** K G Soh, International Fertilizer Industry Association Table- 3 (b) Total World Installed Capacity of Ammonia and Urea Production (In million Tones) Year 2004 AMMONIA 160.0 mTones
Year 2006
Year 2008
Year 2013
122 mTones *
181.0 mTones
218.0 mTones
* Actual Worldwide Production of Ammonia UREA
Year 2005 + Planned 161 mTones
Source : Health Protection Agency-Ammonia Production and Uses, Citizendium, The Citizen’s Compendium website (Reprinted from University News, A weekly Journal of Higher Education, Published by the association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, Vol. 49, No. 27, July 04-10, 2011, 9-18.) References 1. Solar Storms and Their Human Impacts, pp 1-10 http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/storms/storms.html
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2. Goodspeed Michael, Exposing the myth of Man-Made Climate Changes, pp1-9, http://www.geocities.com/michael_goodspeed,12-25-99. 3. Landscheidt, Theodor, New Little Ice Age Instead of Global Warming, pp 1-25, http://mitosyfraudes.8k.com/Calen/Landscheidt-1.html 4. Collins Rodney, The Theory of Celestial Influence, Samuel Weiser, 1975, New York and http://www.sumeria.net/cosmo/chapiv.html 5. Gurnam Joe, SOHO Mission Page. http:// Sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov descriptions/mission/english/soho.html 6. Gurnam Joseph B., NOAA Space Environment Services Center. Solar Proton Events Affecting the Earth Environment, Preliminary Listing. ftp:/ ftp.ngdc. noaa.gov/STP?SOLARDATA/satellite ENVIRONMENT/PARTICLES/p.events list 7. Parashar, D.C., Gupta, Prabhat K.and Sharma, Chhemendra, Chemosphere Global Sci.,2001, 3, 171-174. 8. Fluckiger, J., Dallenbach, A., Blunier, T., Stauffer, B., Stocker, T.F., Raynaud, D. and Barnola, J.M., Science, 1999, 285, 227-230. 9. Galloway, James N., Hohn D Aber, Jan Willem Erisman, Sybil R Seitzinger, Robert W Howarth, Ellis B Cowling and B. Jack Cosby, The Nitrogen Cascade, BioScience, Vol. 53, No. 4, 2003, 341. 10. Suding, Katharine N., Collins, Scott L., Gough Laura, Clark Christopher, Cleland Elsa E., Gross, Katharine L., Milchunas, Daniel G. and Penning Steven, Proc. Amer. Acad. Sci., 2005, 102, 4387-4392. 11. Vitousek, Peter M., Arber John, Howarth Robert W., Likens, Gene E., Matson, Pamela A., Schindler, David W., Schlesinger and Tilman G. David; Issues in Ecology-Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle; Public Affairs Office, Ecological Society of America, 1707 H St., NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20006 (Ecological Applications, 1997, Volume 7, August Issue) 12. NIH News, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, Ed. Kang, NIH/NIEHS (919) 541 1993, NIH-led Interagency Group identifies Research Needs to Study Climate Change and Human Health Impacts. 13. Max APPL, Ammonia production principles and industrial practice, 1999, LavoisierLaboratorie. (http://w.w.w.lavoisier.fr/notice/gb066136.html). 14. Smil Vaclav, Global Population and Nitrogen Cycle, Scientific American, July 1997, 76-80. 15. The Earth Observer, November / December 1996, pp1-4, http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_observ/11_1296/p28.html
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16. Ayres, R.U. et.al. 1994 cited in reference No. 14. 17. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Fertilizer Requirements in 2015 and 2030, Rome, 2000. 18. Schlesinger W.H. and Hartley, A.E., A global budget for atmospheric NH3 . Biogeochem., 1992, 15, 191-211. 19. Berat, Corinne, Lebrun, Didier, Stutz, Anne, and Plagnol, Eric, Proc. 28th Internat Cosmic Ray Conf., 2003, Universal Academy Press, Inc., pp 883-886. 20. Rodrigue Dr. Lecture : Gaseous Composition of the Atmosphere. http:// www.csulb.edu/~rodrigue/geog140/lectures/atmosphericgases.html 21. Blacke, D.R. and Rowlands, F.S., Science, 1988, 239, 129-131. 22. Sheldrake Rupert, ‘A New Science of Life-The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance’ Park Street Press, 1995. 23. Dlugokencky, E.J., Massaire, K.A., Lang, P.M., Tans, P.P., Steele, L.P. and Nisber, E.G., Geophys. Res. Let., 1992, 21, 45-48. 24. Townsend, Alan R., Howarth, Robert W., Bazzaz Fakhri A., Booth, Mary S., Cleveland, Corey C., Collinge, Sharon K., Dobson, Andrew P., Epstein, Paul R., Holland, Elizabeth A., Keeney, Dennis R., Mallin, Michael A., Roger, Christine A., Wayne, Peter.,and Wolfe, Amir H., Frontiers in Ecology and Environment, 2003, 1, 240-246. 25. Benestad, Rasmus E. ‘ Solar Activity and Earth’s Climate, 2004, Praxis Publishing Ltd. Chichister, Ch 8 & 9, pp 183-259. 26. Marsh, Gerald, E., A Global Warming Primer, pp 1-24 http:/ mitosyfraudes.8k.com/INGLES/GW%2Dprimer.html. 27. Jaworowski Zbigniew, A Global Warning Folly, pp 1-21 < http:/ mitosyfraudes.8k.com/INGLES/warm.html. 28. Tompkins, Peter. And Bird, Christopher, The Secret Life of Soil, 1989, Viking Arkana. 29. Chhonkar, P.K., Presidential Address, 67th Annual Convention, of the Indian Society of Soil Science, November 14, 2002, J.N..Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur. in Indian J. Soil Sci., 2002, 50, 328-332. 30. Borlaug, Norman Ernest, The Rediff Interviews, http://in.rediff.com/news/2001/mar/14inter.htm., 6-8-2005. 31. Kulkarni, P.S. et.al, 5 th International. Nitrogen Conference, New Delhi, December. 3-7, 2010, Abstracts : p 330. 32. Rockstrom, Johan et. al. Nature 2009, Vol 461 (7263) 472-475.
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11. Quantum Physics and New Biology : The Emerging Paradigm Change ABSTRACT This article describes a Fish-Eye View of the new developments and paradigm change that is sweeping the field of New Biology with the advent of the sciences of ‘Epigenetics’ and ‘Mophogenesis’. In describing these developments, the author has based his presentation and leaned heavily on the information content of the two wonderful books published recently by Professor Bruce H. Lipton, in relation to some others published a few years ago on the subjects which have been duly quoted under references. It has been emphasized that it is the environment that in reality determines our genes and personal traits and not the DNA (genes) as is popularly given to believe by the ‘Central Dogma’ of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Recent scientific evidence brings out very clearly that the information flows from outside the cell environment into the nucleus for initiating cell metabolic activity and not vice versa. The environment can indeed modify the DNA and an organism is not the victim of its genes or destiny. In presenting this ‘Essay’ the author is aware that there are unavoidable gaps and specific pertinent information on some or the other aspect may be missing in the description in view of the vast magnitude and dimensions of interlinked interdisciplinary information available on this complex subject. Summarizing all the information within limits of few pages is a daunting challenge. The author has dared to do so only with an intention and hope that this will help in encouraging and arousing new awareness, possibly change the attitude of readers towards learning physics/ quantum physics to appreciate developments in New Biology with a sigh of relief that we are not the product and victim of our genes but in fact the ‘Masters of our Destiny’ and given the will and environment, we can certainly change or overwrite on it. Introduction Understanding of Biological objects and biology as a discipline have seen spectacular
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developments ever since Robert Hook in 1660-1665 discovered empty spaces within thin slices of oak-wood-bark called cork. He called them as cells. Cellular bodies as bacterial microorganisms were later discovered in 1674 by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek. Cell theory and Cells have since become the fundamental units of life irrespective of their origin from terrestrial animal, aquatic or vegetative plant kingdom. As the depth of penetration of human eye in microscopic dimension increased with the help of increasing magnification and distortion-free resolution of optical microscopes, interesting revelations about the structural components, assembly, their linkages and assemblage of cellular units came to light one after another. The discovery of cell nucleus, process of cell division, sex cells, cell differentiation and speciation, mitochondria and its role, the Kreb-cycle, neurotransmission of information signals, discovery of hormones, photosynthesis, concepts of the ecosystem, the Living Earth and all of its species constituting one interactive living organism called the ‘Gaia’, the existence of ‘Morphogenetic Fields’ that shape our form and existence on Earth and finally the emergence of the new science of ‘Epigenetics’ meaning environmental control over the genes have become the landmarks in the history of biology. However, the bigger question of ‘What is the basic cause and what exactly controlled life and its self-replication, still eluded explanation. Life, its origin, manifestation, variation and self replication was still being considered and believed, under the influence of religious faith, due to some kind of Divine intervention. Darwin’s Theory, its Influence and DNA as the hereditary material Charles Darwin, the British Biologist in his book, ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life’, published in 1859 AD implied that chance and not Divine intervention of any kind was responsible for the nature and kind of life on Earth. He also suggested for the first time that individual traits are passed-on from parents to their children and such “hereditary factors” from parents to children control the characteristics of the life of an individual. This observation triggered a frantic multi-disciplinary search for identification of the intricate hereditary mechanism within the structural components of a biological cell that controlled life. Spectacular developments in Physical Science, availability of multiple interactive energy options and a range of analytical instruments
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in the first half of the twentieth century brought this search for the illusive life controlling mechanism to the confirmation of the role of DNA in heredity by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase in 1952 and to the elucidation of the structure and function of the DNA double helix, the material stuff of the biological genes by James D. Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. The threadlike DNA molecules were further found to be made from four nitrogen-containing chemicals called A, T, C and G bases corresponding to namely adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine groups. The sequence of the A, T, C, and G bases in DNA code the sequence of amino acids along structural composition of a protein molecule and sequential recreation of protein synthesizing machinery of the cell. Every DNA strand is intertwined with second strand of DNA with sequences of DNA bases forming exact mirror images of each other. A DNA molecule either as a single gene or in segments determines the blueprint for specific protein backbones. In the process of separating or unwinding the DoubleHelix, each of the two DNA strands contain the information to make exact complementary copies and therefore become self-replicating. This realization / or apparent interpretation that DNA controlled its own replication and determined the blueprint for syntheses of the required proteins of the body created almost instantaneously a ‘New Belief System / Central Dogma or the Primacy of DNA’ which has dominated the scientific mindset for over sixty years now that –DNA Or Gene is the ‘Primary Cause’ and determinant of all characteristic traits of an organism. All living organisms are known to vary in their character, determined primarily by the nature and amount of proteins synthesized within their bodies from the information blueprint encoded in the DNA (as organized complexes of DNA and proteins); it was therefore logically obvious that DNA was considered to represent the primary determinant of the physical and other traits of an organism. The obstinate dogmatic assumption from the Newtonian mechanistic point of view that there is only a unidirectional flow of information from DNA to synthesis of proteins implied that our physical bodies and gathered life experiences can in no case send information in reverse direction to change or modify our DNA and the organism must continue to remain as destined victims of its fate, its DNA or its genes. The excessive media publicity given to these ideas, talked, discussed and repeatedly supported in public
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and in scientific societies even by eminent scientists almost fixed this concept into the subconscious minds of the young generation and people almost got reconciled to accept their personal traits to be due entirely to their inherited genes. It is the DNA that was unfortunately believed to control our life and repeatedly told that we cannot do anything to influence it. Race for Sequencing Genes for Various Characteristic Traits Identification of the DNA as the basic hereditary material immediately set forth a race to catalogue DNA of almost every biological entity within and around human beings and particularly of those of commercial interest and value with the objective of bringing about qualitative and quantitative improvements or to devise possibly corrective means to set right a defaulting gene with the help of new molecular biology and genetic engineering tools by manipulating the information coded on the DNA. The most ambitious Human Genome Project (HGP) involving scientists from all over the world was initiated in the 1980s to catalogue all the genes present in humans. However, when the HGP-project was completed in 2003, it was shocking to find that only about 25000 genes defined a human genome as against the expectation of over 1,25,000 genes in view of the complexity and known number of proteins synthesized within human body, providing thereby a ‘death-blow’ to the then prevalent ‘one-gene corresponding to one-protein’ theory. New paradigms are therefore required to explain the working of our life, our complexity, our consciousness, behaviour and physical coordination, ability to adapt to changing environment, perceptible memory and analytical logic at our command. Several examples are available in biological literature on genome analyses, when many of the perplexing characteristic traits of organisms have been attributed to be determined not by a single gene but by multiple genes and vice versa. Multicellular organisms are now known to survive with far fewer genes than what was once believed and same gene products (proteins) are now understood to be simultaneously used by an organism for a variety of functions performed by its organs. Living organisms transmit information between generations by means of a ‘characteristic language’ and heredity in turn depends on this transmission of information, at the same time ensuring that populations will evolve through natural selection. And long before the DNA structure was known, the need
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for such a language was foreseen by Erwin Schrodinger who argued this language to be a ‘code script’ as described in his celebrated book-‘What is Life?’ Because any information message encoded in a continuously varying form of energy will rapidly decay into noise during transmission from one individual to other, and an intelligent guess on the nature of the language was bet it to be digital, and capable of encoding indefinitely large number of messages with a provision to copy or replicate them with a very high degree of accuracy, besides having a meaning for influencing their own chances of survival and replication. It is now well known that Nucleic acids carry the requisite genetic information, which is transmitted through its replication and synthesized proteins on the other hand determine the phenotype of the organism and the connection between the two being maintained via the genetic code. Mode of Information Transfer, Cell organization and Development Since genes were considered to control the traits of an organism and one of the cell organelles called the central nucleus which contains chromosomes and almost all the DNA of the cell, was assumed to be the ‘Brain’ and controlling centre of all the cell activities. The developments in the science, instrumentation and specific staining techniques of studying the ultra-structure of biological cells with the help of high resolution Transmission Electron Microscope and very High Voltage Transmission Electron Microscope have played a great role in our understanding of the structure, components and functions of biological cells. And the generally accepted picture of a cell has emerged to be very complex and sophisticated. A Cell is bound by a cell membrane, a double layer of lipids with dissolved proteins, supported and connected to basketwork of contractile filamentous proteins lying underneath it. The membrane skeleton further connects itself to a three-dimensional network of different kinds of fibrous proteins collectively called the cytoskeleton which is cress-crossing the volume of the cell inside and terminating on to the membrane of the central nucleus. The chromosomes (organized complexes of DNA and proteins) inside the central nucleus are anchored directly to the inner side of the membrane (called the nuclear membrane) surrounding it. Further, the nuclear and cell membranes are also in communication via concentric stacks of membranous vesicles e.g. the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum, the mitochondria, ribosomes and the soluble cytoplasm
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called the cytosol. The biological information is believed to be transferred from the nucleus in three stages: DNA is copied as self replicated DNA, DNA information is copied into messenger Ribo-nucleic acid (mRNA) (transcription), and finally using the information on mRNA, proteins as required or demanded by the body of the organism are synthesized as a template (translation). However, innovative experiments conducted on incubating enucleated cells (i.e. cells deprived of their nucleus) were surprisingly and actually found to survive without their nucleus and genes for more than two months with exhibition of full metabolic activity such as respiration, digestion, excretion, motility etc. They finally died not because they lacked their genes or the nucleus but because they could not divide and reproduce any proteins lost in their cytoplasmic activity leading to mechanical dysfunctions. This experiment therefore drives home the point that a cell’s life is controlled by the physical and energetic environment and not by its genes. Nucleus in a biological cell is certainly not the ‘Brain’ but only its gonad- a multiple reproductive system for construction of cells, tissues and organs as per their molecular blueprints encoded on the genes. Most unfortunately, what was significantly missed or overlooked during the progress and developments in ‘Gene theories’ being the deterministic role of the physical environment and the pioneering opinion expressed almost fifty years before the advent of Charles Darwin by the French Evolutionary biologist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck that evolution was based on ‘instructive’ cooperative interaction (and certainly not due to competition as proposed by Darwin) amongst organisms and their environment that enables life forms to survive and evolve in a perpetually dynamic changing world. Until 1960, a cell was considered to be a bag containing concentrated solution of a mixture of enzymes, metabolites, cell organelles and intracellular membranes. Enzymes as catalysts reduced activation energies of reactants and facilitated metabolic reactions at lower physiological temperature and pressure and these reactions with synthesized proteins accounted for all the transformations and energy budget within living organisms. Sub-microscopic cellular organization was initially attributed to the specificity of shapes of different molecular kinds responsible for recognition between enzymes and their respective reactive substrates, and between signal
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molecules and respective receptor proteins. However, intermolecular complexes that organize the cell are more likely believed to be formed today as a result of the universal electromagnetic attractive forces between molecules, which are in perpetual vibratory motion. And since molecules with same intrinsic frequency of vibration resonate over very long distances with coherent excitations; they also attract each other over long distances. Enzyme kinetics and molecules in perfumery and pharmaceutical industry today are now explained and understood exclusively on the basis of such coherent molecular excitations. Electrical Nature of Molecular Interactions, Resonance, Molecular Recognition and Implications for Cell Biology Peter Mitchell (Nobel Laureate 1978) discovered proton electricity a major form of electric current in cells and proposed that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) was linked to the burning of food via proton electricity and all the energy that is used to produce the proton electricity is used to make ATP known as the general- purpose immediate energy currency of the cell. Any organelle machine of the cell that needs an immediate puff of energy gets it from ATP which as a small molecule keeps wandering around the cell and acts almost like a gun but does not pull its own trigger. The fingers to pull the trigger are located on some of the molecular machines. The ATP molecule is held tightly by the machine and positioned such that when the link to terminal phosphate of the ATP is cut, the repulsion between the phosphates is used to do some work. Produced by the mitochondria, ATP molecules are used throughout the cell, leaving ADP (adenosine di-phosphate) and phosphate, which return to the mitochondria to be converted back into ATP. The energy delivered by ATP is partly electrical and partly chemical in nature and although hundreds of different types of machine in the cell use ATP, its maximum consumption is done in muscle contraction, protein synthesis and in operating the sodium pumps located on the cell membrane to pump sodium out from inside the cell on to the membrane. Since sodium is positively charged, this pumping of charge out of the cell generates a huge electric field across the cell membrane. This electric field is then used as a source of energy to drive hundreds of other cell activities. The concept of ATP cycle was crystallized into a general theory for energy transfer in living cells by Fritz Lipmann and today
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four different forms of electricity have been identified to be operating inside the cell as; electron electricity, proton electricity, phosphate electricity, and sodium electricity. A discussion on them however is beyond the scope of this article. The Electrical Nature of molecular interaction was first proposed by Veljko Veljkovic in 1986 and later in 1995, Irena Cosic introduced the concept of dynamic electromagnetic field interactions and the idea that molecules recognize their target interactive partners by electromagnetic resonance. Biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids emit out specific characteristic frequencies of electromagnetic waves in both phonon (sound) and photon (light) modes that enable them to locate, recognize, identify, influence and attract molecules at a distance for interaction in a complementary way. Further, Veljkovic and Cosic innovatively converted the amino acid sequences of proteins into sequences of electron-ion-interaction potential values (EIIP) representing their energy units in Reydberg; with one ‘Reydberg’ approximately equivalent to 13.5 eV. The fundamental assumption being that charges flowing through the excited vibrating backbone of nucleic acid or protein will produce characteristic electromagnetic frequency radiations corresponding to the energy distribution along the molecular chain. On application of Fourier transform to the emitted free electronic energy distribution in case of many proteins with same functions, the results showed that proteins with the same biological function corresponded to single frequency maxima and no same single frequency maxima for proteins with different functions. Similar results were also obtained for regulatory DNA sequences indicating thereby that a protein or DNA although generally has more than one function, it emits one frequency note for each function to which its binding partner molecule resonates. The maximum and minimum wavelengths of electromagnetic waves emitted from a typical protein chain was found to be 30,000 and 300 nanometers spreading across from the very low infrared through the visible to the ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A practical side of these results implies that, if the characteristic frequency of a particular functional protein is known, it is possible to predict the amino acid position on the DNA or protein sequence to contribute to the resonant frequency. The behaviour of energy waves is extremely important for biomedicines because vibrational frequencies can alter the physical and chemical
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properties of an atom (or a molecule) as definitely as the physical signals do from glandular excretion / release of histamine, adrenaline or estrogen. This helps in designing synthetic proteins and peptides for specific biological functions. The conceptual idea that molecules communicate and exchange energy through electromagnetic resonance fits well with the assumption that cells and molecules including the essential 70% of structural water are coherently aligned. Energy transfer by molecular resonance or coherent excitations of the entire population of similar molecules located in different parts of the body of the organism as a matter of longrange coordinated function takes place almost instantaneously. The significance of molecular recognition and energy transfer through resonance has far reaching consequences in that it implies that thermal energies at equilibrium conditions do not carry any information; whereas excitations of a specific frequency at a temperature when no other excitation of the same energy exists in a system not in equilibrium not only contain the requisite information but also the potential energy and motive force for action to perform specific reactions and energy transfer. Information, energy transfer and organization are therefore synonymous with each other. Self-Assembly in Living Organization The most obvious consequence of the forces of molecular resonance operating over long distances and the short-range electro-static and van der Waal forces being the creation of ‘self-assembled’ and self- structuring organization whereas other forces such as Hydrogen bonds contributing to stabilization of supra-molecular aggregates into directionally oriented or as anti-parallel complexes, and the intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds determining the shape of protein chain molecular conformations. In short, a biological cell is a meticulously ordered and organized structure down to the details of every protein molecule. Similarly the cytosol and the dense solid matrix of the nucleus are also the highly organized and condensed structures for precise functioning of the cell. The whole cell is extremely coherent, dynamic with connections between its various parts and the configurations of its cytoskeleton, membranes and the chromosomes amenable to be remodeled within shortest possible time, subject to appropriate signal with requisite information
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received from the environment or through a disturbance in any one part of the cell communicated instantaneously to other parts. Solid-state physicist Herbert Frohlich describes living organisms to be made up predominantly of dielectric or dipolar molecules densely packed together and representing special solid-state systems where electric and viscoelastic forces constantly interact. Under such conditions, energy from metabolism can pump up the system as a whole in collective mode of coherent vibrations. And coherent vibrations /excitations account for most of the characteristic properties of living organisms such as: long range order and coordination, rapid and efficient energy transfer and extreme sensitivity to specific ultra-low frequency signals in phase and rhythm. Low frequency signals will be received by the system only when it is ‘in tune’ and resonate to the signal. Even a weakest signal gets amplified as many times as there are molecules in the same state of earnest readiness in responding to the subtlest signal. D.E. Ingber in 1993 elegantly provided evidence to show that many of the cellular functions are even regulated by mechanical energies / signals and electrical dipole interactions in highly integrated cells which are equivalent to an electromechanical continuum. And it is well known that all mechanical deformations automatically generate corresponding electrical disturbances, and vice versa. Other non invasive and non destructive techniques used for observation of endogenous cellular structure in vivo, also point to the fact that far from being a mechanistic and reductionism, the picture at the individual cellular and whole organism level is essentially more of cooperation and coherence in living processes right down to the individual molecules involved. This fact is contrary to the idea / central dogma of ‘competition for survival’ that Charles Darwin and his supporters propagated and are still engaged in doing so. Electro-dynamic and Electromechanical Forces Energy transfer in living systems generally occurs electronically or electromechanically through and between molecules although thermal energy by conduction can also contribute to such excitations. The predominant solid-state nature of cells however does not allow convective flow of energy transfer and passive
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diffusion of molecules across membranous organelles under essentially isothermal conditions in living systems. Warm blooded animals have been endowed with special mechanisms to keep their body temperatures above the ambient. It is a common knowledge that life in the biosphere on Earth is sustained by the electromagnetic radiation energy received from the Sun at the top of the atmosphere and percolated down through the atmospheric layers to the surface and therefore provides the first clue that all living organisms in the biosphere must essentially be electro-dynamical or electronic in their constitution and nature. No wonder, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, the Hungarian Physiologist and Nobel Laureate who discovered Vitamin-C wrote- “ … life is driven by nothing else but electrons, by the energy given off by these electrons while cascading down from the high level to which they have been boosted up by photons. An electron going around is a little current. What drives is thus a little electric current”. It was Szent-Gyorgyi who also noticed that membranous organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts and Golgi bodies in the cytoplasm of a cell are the primary and major locations of energy exchange and are almost analogous to the pn-junction in a solid-state semiconductor separating the positive and negative electric charges. Biological membranes have also been demonstrated to exhibit thermoelectric, photoelectric and piezoelectric phenomenon with the application of heat, light and mechanical energy / pressure respectively. The valence electron which becomes mobile on absorption of energy constitutes electric current and since both positive and negative charges are present within any living organism, electric currents are established simultaneously in two opposite directions between and across macromolecules. The molecule that loses its electron, acquires a net positive charge and the one that accepts the electron acquires a negative charge. Electrons and protons thus flow between molecules and macro-molecules constituting coordinated local and mutually connected larger flow patterns extended into space and time. It is this spatially extended flow of electric charges across the whole organic body that actually powers the organism. Large electric fields and electric currents are found in tissues and whole organisms and also the developing and regenerating biological systems are meticulously coordinated by intermolecular charge transfers. Coherent electro-
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dynamical fields therefore are always wrapped around any living organism. These fields are modified or change with either injury or with application of an anesthesia or changes in the physical conditions of the ambient environment. Biological membranes with Dipolar structures which carry high trans-membrane potential difference develop collective vibrations and explain how absorption of even a single photon or a single chemical molecule by any of the several receptor proteins produce simultaneous in phase excitations in membrane bound proteins with amplification of an external signal approaching a cell membrane. Similarly, proteins and other dipole molecules such as muscles, RNA and specially the DNA also undergo coherent excitations over the entire molecular lengths for important biological functions by attracting appropriate complementary molecules or molecular groups with specific energy and frequencies, making the whole organism a sensitive and a vibrant living system. How cell and organisms came into being and what controls their being? It is generally believed now that until three billion years since the so called biological evolution began, life on earth consisted of only unicellular organisms as bacteria, algae, and amoeba-like protozoan. These single cells started to group and band together with other cells to form multicellular communities. These communities of cells then began to divide specialized functional labour between group of cells to share and increase their awareness and then evolve into organisms. The structural components of a cell called the organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, the Golgi body and vacuoles are its functional ‘miniature organs’ equivalent to the tissues and organs of our own body. The movement created in single cells by the interaction of actin and myosin- the cytoplasmic proteins, is performed by the specialized muscle cells in multicellular organisms which are endowed with massive quantities of both these proteins. In fact, each and every function of a fully mature human body as a collective group of trillions of prokaryotic cells is fully expressed in each and every single cell. And each cell is an intelligent being, it analyzes thousands of stimuli of various kinds- thermal, mechanical, radiation, chemical etc from the microenvironment they inhabit, select appropriate strategy for behavioral response, learn from their interactive experiences, create cellular memories to be passed on
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to their offspring and survive independently on its own. Cellular groups of communities that appear to our naked eye as single individual entity such as – a body organ, a mouse, an elephant or a human being are in fact, highly organized associations of millions, billions or trillions of individual cells, working collectively in cooperation for mutual survival and certainly not in competition against each other. And for survival at such a heavy population density, they created a structural protocol, distributed the workload amongst the so called specialized cells with precision and efficiency for minimum energy consumption and without duplication of the specialized tasks besides transferring the process of acquisition of these specialized functions within the embryo itself with a sequential schedule of operation, expression, manifestation and strategy for survival encoded on the genes. The movement caused by the interaction of such proteins as actin and myosin in a single cell is akin to that caused by them through the muscle cells in a multicellular organism. Whereas it is the membrane within a single cell that makes the cell aware of the environment and prompts it to respond with appropriate response to that environment. Similar function in our bodies to sense the environment around us is carried out by the specialized group of cells called the nervous system which incidentally is also derived from the analogous counterpart of the cell membrane, the embryonic skin. B.A. Cornell and associates in 1997 through their very novel experiments demonstrated that a cell membrane is indeed a similar homologue in function of a computer chip-a crystal semiconductor with gates and channels. The importance of this experiment being that it clearly demonstrates that both computers and cells are not only programmable but their programmer lies outside the computer or the cell. Essentially conveying the message that biological behaviour and gene activity are dynamically linked to the information fed from the environment and the behaviour of cells and their genetic activity are primarily controlled by the stimulus / signal from the environment and not by the genes that reside inside the nucleus of cell. Logically therefore, genes cannot preprogram a cell life of an organism because cell survival depends purely on its ability to dynamically adjust itself to the continually changing environment. It is the intelligent interaction of the cell membrane with environment that
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sets its behaviour and therefore truly represents the brain that controls the cell behaviour. Experiments on cells whose cell membrane is removed or destroyed or alternately receptor proteins are destroyed leaving the membrane intact, the cell in both situations actually dies as it is no more in a position to sense the signals from the environment, because both the receptor proteins (awareness sensing) and the effectors proteins (action directing) are required to be functionally intact on the both sides of the membrane for signs of any intelligent behaviour on the part of the cell. In contrast to the conventional knowledge, what the new science of ‘Epigenetics’ (-a body of study that looks at the impact of the environment in controlling our genes) brings out being that; genes do not control their own activity. It is the membrane’s effectors proteins, operating in response to the stimulus from the environment picked up and passed on to them by the receptor proteins on the cell membrane that control the genes. The job of ‘Reading’ of genes to replace worn-out proteins or to create new proteins is therefore done by the receptors. This new knowledge is a direct contradiction of the Central Dogma of Darwin’s theory where information is assumed / believed to flow out of the DNA in the nucleus and not back into DNA from the outside. Unmindful of the implications and consequences of choosing and using inappropriate words in describing exciting discoveries, even the pioneers at times blunder, and it is interesting to note what Sir Francis Crick, Co-discoverer of the DNA structure with James D. Watson wrote in his autobiography- ‘What Mad Pursuit’, regarding his choice of the word ‘dogma’ and some of the problems it caused : “I called this idea the central dogma, for two reasons, I suspect. I had already used the obvious word hypothesis in the sequence hypothesis, and in addition I wanted to suggest that this new assumption was more central and more powerful. ... As it turned out, the use of the word dogma caused almost more trouble than it was worth.... Many years later Jacques Monod pointed out to me that I did not appear to understand the correct use of the word dogma, which is a belief that cannot be doubted. I did apprehend this in a vague sort of way but since I
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thought that all religious beliefs were without foundation, I used the word the way I myself thought about it, not as most of the world does, and simply applied it to a grand hypothesis that, however plausible, had little direct experimental support.” Even Charles Darwin in a letter written to Moritz Wagner in 1876, at the fag end of his life had conceded that his evolutionary theory had shortchanged the role of the environment. He wrote- “In my opinion, the greatest error which I have committed has been not allowing sufficient weight to the direct action of the environments, i.e., food, climate, etc., independently of natural selection …When I wrote the Origin, and some years afterwards, I could find little good evidence of the direct action of the environment; now there is a large body of evidence.” Unfortunately, the scientist followers of Charles Darwin ignored the revised considered opinion of their mentor / path finder and instead turned themselves into staunch Darwinian than Darwin himself. The notion that genes control biology has been repeated so frequently and so indiscriminately for such a long time that scientists have apparently forgotten that Darwin’s idea of ‘competition for survival’ was a mere hypothesis / a supposition or a conjecture and not a proven truth. The serious implications of this obstinate dogmatic line of thinking pursued for over one hundred and fifty years has unleashed an unimaginable damage to human life and society, generations, education, suppression of human fundamental rights, governmental priorities and funding for research, administration, business, global resources, environment, merciless competition in all walks of life for earning money and quality of governance of countries all over the world besides the mental agony of being condemned as the victims of our genes without recourse for correction. Professor Bruce H. Lipton and Steve Bhaerman have beautifully summarized the description of all such damages arising singularly out of the blind belief reposed in the ‘Central Dogma’ in their wonderful book- ‘Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a way to get there from here.’ Quantum Physics and implications in biology
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Physics the most fundamental and all-inclusive of the sciences has had a profound effect on all scientific developments. History pleads that Physics and biology have both progressed together in a complementary way. Whereas physical instruments with multiple forms of energies for interaction with biological materials have given a big boost to the understanding of biology, it is biology that helped physics vice versa in discovering the fundamental principle of ‘conservation of energy’ from the demonstration that the amount of heat taken in and given out by a living creature is always equal. Several processes in living animals reveal many other physical phenomena in operation such as circulation of blood, pumps, pressure and temperature. No wonder, a close interaction of physics with biology has gradually changed the latter from a purely descriptive science into one of the most profound disciplines that promise great discoveries in future. Despite these developments, it is pity that biologists and medical scientists in general have a tendency to shy away from learning physics and condemn it as difficult for comprehension. It is a common knowledge that there is nothing else in the universe except ‘matter’ and ‘energy’ and creation and destruction of material structures of both animate and inanimate kinds are built from atoms the building blocks of matter. Therefore, there is no escape from learning fundamental laws of physics irrespective of whatever profession one may choose for livelihood. Physics and chemistry as individual subjects earlier were very close because theory of atoms was substantiated from experiments in chemistry and chemical reactions between various elements could be explained from the Periodic Table of elements which had set definite rules for defining the combining capacities of elements. All these rules as integral part of theoretical chemistry were finally explained by quantum mechanics and amalgamated them into physics. Further, difficulties to keep track of all atoms and molecules in astronomical numbers (which are always jiggling around in a very random and complex perpetual motion) involved in day to day chemical reactions, necessitated the development of a new branch of ‘statistical mechanics’ for application to situations that involved mechanical laws. Since perpetual random motion of atoms and molecules within a system generates heat, Statistical mechanics became a science of heat or thermodynamics, physical chemistry or simply quantum chemistry.
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Organic chemistry, on the other hand, involving substances associated with living objects has a much closer link with biology. The main problems of organic chemistry however, concern analysis and synthesis of the bio-molecular compounds formed in biological systems and it gradually overlaps with biochemistry, biology and molecular biology for understanding or practical applications. All living organisms are sustained by processes involving transfer of energy and diffusion of atoms and molecules across cells and membranes as a result of electrical currents and potential fields can only be understood with knowledge of quantum physics because laws of classical Newtonian physics become irrelevant at these dimensions. Quantum physics tells us that Physical atoms are made up of vortices of energy that are constantly spinning and vibrating like a wobbly spinning top that radiates energy. Because each and every atom has its own specific energy signature (wobble), assemblies of atoms as molecules also collectively radiate their own characteristic patterns of energy. Every material structure present in the universe therefore radiates its unique energy signature. With wave-particle duality as the fundamental reality of nature and Einstein’s equation of mass and energy equivalence (E= m. C2) it is clear that we are not living in a universe with discrete, physical objects intervened by a vast expanse of dead space but the Universe is one indivisible, dynamic whole within which energy and matter are so deeply entangled that it is impossible to separate them as independent individual elements. Professor Bruce H. Lipton, a crusader for ‘Epigenetics’ his new science of biology is very emphatic in his wonderful book- ‘Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles’ in lamenting; “… even after discoveries of quantum physics, that a profoundly different mechanics control the structure and behaviour of matter, biologists and medical students continue to be trained to view the human body only as a physical machine that operates in accordance with Newtonian principles by focusing their attention on physical signals like hormones, cytokines, growth factors, messengers, ions etc as discrete chemical families and have completely ignored the role of energy vibrations in health and disease. .. Biomedical scientists often do not recognize the massive complexity of the intercommunication among the physical parts and the energy fields that make up
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the whole. In contrast, the flow of information in a quantum universe is holistic.” Morphogenesis and Morphogenetic Fields A challenging scientific enquiry into the nature of biological and physical reality with far reaching implications has recently been announced by Professor Rupert Sheldrake in the form of his theory of Morphic Resonance and Morphogenetic Fields. Many phenomena in both biology and physics are known to defy explanation on the basis of conventional wisdom for it is observed that if rats in a laboratory learn to find a way to a new maize source, rats elsewhere learn it much more easily and such instances are described by Professor Sheldrake as Morphic Resonance whereby the past forms and behaviour of organisms influence organisms in the present through direct connections across time and space. Unfortunately most biologists consider living organism to be nothing more than complex machines governed by known laws of physics and chemistry. We rarely realize that in situations like this, when very little is actually understood then there might exist a possibility of hitherto unknown laws or factors responsible for these phenomena. Approach from the point of view of an organismic or holistic philosophy provides a scope for revising the Newtonian mechanistic theory and strengthen the conviction that every thing in the universe cannot be explained with reductionism approach. ‘Holistic Organism’ theory believes that at any level of organization, the whole is always much more than the sum of its parts. These wholes can be organisms, tissues, cells, organs, crystals, molecules, atoms or even sub-atomic particles. Theory of Morphogenetic field can be of practical scientific value only when it leads to some testable predictions, different from the mechanistic theory and provide quantifiable effects. Further, Morphogenetic fields responsible for the organization and form of material systems are expected themselves to have a characteristic structure of their own. And the theory due to Rupert Sheldrake suggests that such fields are derived from the morphogenetic fields previously associated with similar systems such that the morphogenetic fields of all the past systems become present to the subsequent similar system by a cumulative influence which acts across both space and time. All systems are therefore organized in the state that they are at present because similar systems were organized in that way in the past. Taking this analogy further, molecules
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of a complex organic biochemical in certain conformation and configuration exists today because it existed as such in the past. Likewise, a plant takes up the characteristic form of its species today is only because plants of that species in the past took that form and all animals act instinctively in their particular characteristic manner today because similar animals in their ancestry behaved like them previously in the past. Morphic Resonance or morphogenetic fields concern with the repetition of form and patterns of organization but the question of the origin of these forms and patterns has been left to other fields of disciplines for satisfactory answers and some encouraging beautiful results are emerging from ideas such as ‘Holographic Nature of the Universe’ and ‘Fractal Geometry’. Given the trend of developments currently on, next few decades from now appear to be holding promise for some exciting new discoveries in the field of the fusion of biology and quantum physics. My only submission and intention in daring to write this Essay being that our students, research scholars and people at large must take note of these exciting developments and emerging paradigm change, discover that they are the masters and not the victims of their genes and prepare their mindset for a grand holistic view of the universe. Acknowledgement The author would like to express his gratitude to Professor Bruce H. Lipton and Steve Bhaerman for their books which have brought a new awakening to me and encouragement to write the above article. (Reprinted from ‘University News’ Weekly Journal of Higher Education, Association of Indian Universities, Vol 50 No. 13 March 26-April 01, 2012, pp 615.)
References 1.
Lipton, Bruce H., 2008. The Biology of Belief : Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles. Hay House. Australia, U.K., U.S.A., South Africa and India.
2.
Lipton, Bruce H. and Bhaerman, Steve, 2011. Spontaneous Evolution: Our
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Positive Future (and the way to get there from here). Hay House. Australia, U.K., U.S.A., South Africa and India. 3.
Sheldrake, Rupert, 1995. A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance, Park Street Press, Rochester Vermont.
4.
Fox, Matthew, and Sheldrake, Rupert, 1996. The Physics of Angels, Exploring the Realm Where Science and Spirit Meet. Harper, SanFrancisco.
5.
Wan Hoe, Mae, 2008. The Rainbow and the Worm : The Physics of Organisms, 3 rd Edn. World Scientific. NJ, London, Singapore, Beijing, Chennai.
6.
Feynman, Richard P., 1995. Six Easy Pieces. Penguin Books.
7.
Becker, Robert O., and Selden, Gary. 1985. The Body Electric, Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life. Harper, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney.
8.
Pagels, Heinz R., 1982. The Cosmic Code, Quantum Physics as the Language of Nature. Penguin Books.
9.
Murphy, Michael P., and O’Neill, Luke A.J., Editors. 1997. What is Life? The Next Fifty Years: Speculations on the Future of Biology. Cambridge University Press.
10. Pert, Candace B., 1997. Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel. Pocket Books, London, Sydney, New York and Toronto. 11. Turin, Luca, 2007. The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell. Harper Perennial. New York, London, Toronto, Sydney. 12. Suckling, E.E., 1961. Bioelectricity. McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc. New York, Toronto, London.
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12. A New Theory of Cloud Formation and Climate Change on the Earth Introduction What are clouds in the sky ? Powerful land and space based telescopes have revealed that planets like Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn from our own solar system or from such systems located in distant galaxies, which have either abundant water on them or some kind of atmosphere, are known to form clouds surrounding the planetary surface subject to being located at a suitable distance from their respective star. Clouds are essentially linked to the presence of water and water molecules, their enigmatic molecular structure, properties and the three distinct states in which water is known to exist. Peculiar variations in structure, shape, symmetry and extent of frozen ice crystals, crystallized from water from different locations across the world and their responsive variations in structure and shapes to directed human emotions, thoughts and written messages (irrespective of the language used for writing the message) have been beautifully demonstrated experimentally by Masaru Emoto
1
and these experimentally
demonstrated results are not only mind-boggling and mysterious but so far beyond scientific logic. Although difficult to say, perhaps such differences may possibly be linked to or arising out of the location specific variations of the morphogenetic fields proposed by Rupert Sheldrake 2 (my intuitive guess). Massive presence in quantity of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia etc. observed in circulation over the surfaces of some planets have been indiscriminately described in the literature as gaseous clouds although they are not strictly clouds but blanket layers of gaseous masses.. Traditional knowledge tells us that clouds on the Earth are formed as a result of vertical motion of evaporated moisture from oceans, lakes, rivers, respiration by animals and transpiration from forest trees, crop canopies and sea algae, leading to condensation and freezing of evaporated molecules of water, their crystallization into fine crystals of 20-60 microns in size and their subsequent aggregation into opaque massive bodies called clouds. Clouds assume shapes of most
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ineffable, spectacular and prodigal forms. The vertical movement of water above sea level is aided by low pressure atmospheric systems, thermal convections, mechanical turbulence and ascent over mountainous, terrains and geographical landmass as a result of funnel effect. Clouds have been observed to reach heights of about 16 km and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has grouped them into four A, B, C, and D categories on the basis of height above sea level, following classification first proposed by Luke Howard, an unknown, young English pharmacist in 1802 and gradually modified from time to time. Luke Howard is remembered today for giving cloud types their names in 1803 and is frequently identified as the father of modern meteorology. Science of meteorology finds its origin from atmospheric moisture, clouds, precipitation, climate and weather. On a planet devoided of water and atmosphere, a meteorologist as a specialist, may have no role to play. Howard divided clouds into three groups: stratus for the layered clouds; cumulus for the fluffy ones (meaning heaped in Latin) and cirrus (meaning curled) for the high thin feathery formations which are generally identified with colder weather and the fourth one as nimbus (meaning cloud in Latin) identified as the rain producing clouds. These names could be recombined to describe almost all kinds of combination forms and features of cloud formations e.g. stratocumulus, cirrostratus, cumulonimbus etc. Today, the WMO has classified clouds into 10 types, which are further sub-divided into 14 species on the basis of their shape, structure and formative peculiarities. In fact, the science of formation of clouds called ‘Nephology’ had its beginning in the sixth century BC and it was more than evident from the beginning itself that their variety and diversity was intimately connected with different states of the atmosphere and weather conditions at any particular place. Richard Hamblyn 3 has described an excellent, brief and yet a comprehensive account of the history of the study of clouds and pictorially displayed the extraordinary range in their formation, from the most beautiful to the most bizarre patterns and shapes in his other book 4. Sky without clouds To a keen, inquisitive and curious observer, the patterns and shapes of cloud formation from mountainous, the Tropical and the South Atlantic regions of the world, present an awful spectacle both from looking up the ground and perhaps in a more exciting
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way by looking down at them from the top during air travel 5. Advent of satellite technology and advances in image recording and transmission capability in different wavelength bands of the electromagnetic spectrum has added a new dimension to the science of ‘Nephology’ by providing means to look and study clouds at very high resolution and in glorious details. Ever since the evolution of man on the planet Earth, clouds in white, grey, black and all other shades, during different times of day and night cycles and seasons, have held a special fascination to him and intimately got connected with his psyche, psychology, emotions, hope for food, anticipation, health, hygiene, despair, comfort and survival. And since the Moon sustains the atmosphere and all life forms on the Earth, it automatically got connected to the mental and survival strategies of all life forms. No wonder! Societies of amateur ‘Cloud Watchers’ have sprung up in all parts of the world. Life on Earth without clouds would have become unimaginably monotonous, boring and perhaps impossible. Innumerable passionate poetic compositions and prose in all languages of the world have been inspired by clouds. They have served as messengers of ensuing change of climate and seasons and as thought carriers for love-birds separated across long distances. Animals, particularly in river-ecosystems, ponds, lakes, jungles, forests and farmers in the dry-land rain-fed agricultural fields across the world, eagerly wait for the clouds in their skies for relief from heat, quenching thirst and satiating hunger besides revitalization of emotional and physiological vitality, vigour and reproduction 6
. Clouds foretell weather, present a continual show of sunshine or shade, storm or
calm, rain or snow, thunder or lightening without identically repeating the scenes for a second time. In their most monstrous form they roar with strikes of lightening, pulling down buildings, burning prairies and kill animals instantaneously. Clouds are indeed the most spectacular visible demonstration of the Earth’s fascinating, dynamic and vibrant atmosphere at work with regular rhythmic periodicity and precision. Theories of formation, form and types of clouds their nomenclature and artificial rains Conventionally clouds are believed to be formed when moisture saturated air comes in contact with cool air or relatively colder land surface. So also when water vapours get cooled into micro-droplets during movement along rising slopes of
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mountains, clouds are formed. Such sights of rising cloud formations lifting to the skies are very common in the hills, valleys and mountains. Alternately, clouds are also formed when warm air, saturated with moisture blows over cooler surface and condense moisture into micro-droplets. The four basic ways by which air, laded with water vapor, rises up in the atmosphere and form clouds are known in meteorological terms as; orographic lifting, convective lifting, widespread ascent and mechanical (or frictional) turbulence. The classification system of clouds uses Latin words to describe their appearance in the sky. Clouds with a prefix- ‘cir’ are the higher altitude clouds, whereas, those with prefix- ‘alto’ are the lower altitude level clouds. It has been estimated that only 3% of total Earth’s fresh water exists in ice sheets and not more than 0.036 percent in lakes, rivers, ponds and reservoirs and just a mere 0.001 percent exists in clouds, as vapours or their minor variants such as mist, haze, dew or fog at any moment of time 7. More surprisingly, a walk of 90-100 meters through a typical fog gets a mere 16 cubic centimeters of water in contact with our person. Sometimes clouds do not rain because either all the water drops formed by condensation evaporate before reaching the ground or there was not enough condensation. The rate of evaporation is proportional to the surface area of the drop whereas the amount of water in the drop is proportional to its volume. Therefore, smaller the surface to volume ratio, the less the evaporation and this ratio decrease with the size of the drop. The larger drops are thus less likely to evaporate. Therefore, in the presence of condensation nuclei, condensation occurs more easily and larger drops produced sustain evaporation. Dry clouds that do not rain for lack of condensation can be made to rain by the introduction of adequate quantities of condensation nuclei in the clouds. Mist, haze, fog or clouds are known to be aggregates of crystalline matrix of billions of micro-crystals of ice formed when water vapours get cooled to -5 to -15 0 C. Growing clusters of ice around hygroscopic nucleating substrates such as aerosol particles to form rain drops in the atmosphere leads to precipitation. Presence of hygroscopic nuclei to induce condensation into rain drops was discovered to be an essential precondition for the incidence of rain despite presence of heavy clouds in the sky and the process of forming rain drops was shown in 1930 by Harold Percival Bergeron a Norwegian meteorologist, to begin at
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temperatures below -15 0 C. This realization that rainfall can be made to occur even in relatively dry clouds by introducing suitable hygroscopic nuclei to accelerate the process of ice formation was the starting point for initiating experiments in attempting to produce artificial rains in the event of drought. Post World War-II experiments identified micron-size colloidal particles of silver iodide, solid carbon dioxide and sodium chloride to be capable of initiating nucleation in clouds when dispersed through aircrafts. Rain drop formation begins within 10-20 minutes from the time of seeding clouds. Actually speaking, the kind of nuclei used depends upon the type of cloud and their altitude above ground 8. For high altitude clouds beyond freezing level and yet containing ice crystals, nuclei such as silver iodide that facilitate sublimation of water vapours to ice are used. Other materials that can also help nucleation to some extent but not without consequent other problems, being talcum powder, fine soils, clays, dust, insects, fungal spores, pollen grains and liquid propane. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune, has been popularly using ionic, hygroscopic sodium chloride salt for cloud seeding because the clouds over the sub-tropical Indian peninsular sub-continent are essentially warm in the sense that they neither reach freezing levels nor contain ice crystals and are best induced to seeding by hygroscopic common salt 8. However, the much talked about process of artificial rain making today is due to Debriddhi Deva Kul from Thailand, using alternate aerial spray of calcium carbide and ammonium nitrate to change clouds into towering cumuli and forming rain drops at their base. Despite these successful experiments and continued use in several countries under demanding circumstances, cloud seeding and artificial rain making have their own uncertainties, limitations and drawbacks. Such attempts have also raised issues about the ethics and morality of conducting such experiments and modify weather which is a common heritage of entire humanity irrespective of geographical borders between countries demarcated by the man. Heavenly linkages to the Earth’s atmosphere, solar eruptions and drought Complete understanding of the physics behind cloud seeding under natural environmental conditions and occurrence of rains under normal atmospheric conditions is not fully known as yet despite intelligent guesses and experimentation. It is only now, after the advent of space technology and satellite imagery coming into
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routine use and application, a holistic view of the involvement, role, implication and significance of hitherto unknown factors such as positions of the drifting continents, ocean currents, the evolving dynamic composition of the atmosphere, the gradual evolutionary brightening of the Sun, precision of the spin axis of the Earth combined with the eccentricity of its orbit around the Sun and movement of the entire solar system as a whole within the spiral arm of the Milky way galaxy besides role of highly energetic visitors from outer space in the formation of clouds and modification of the weather are being gradually understood. How this understanding has been ingeniously unfolded from unexpected quarters makes an interesting story demolishing borders drawn between seemingly unconnected disciplines. This example also brings out a cardinal message for researchers (irrespective of the subject of their pursuit) not to study any problem in isolation and within the frame-work of any one single discipline but to connect it to knowledge from other disciplines in a holistic way, because the entire material creation in the universe is but one continuum. It has been almost established that contemporary climate on the Earth responds compassionately with the magnetic activity of the Sun and to the solar flares blasted off all around from its surface but particularly in the direction of the Earth. And it all started from the critical observation by a British astronomer Edward Walter Maunder (1851-1928), who in an attempt to carefully summarize the collected archival observatory records by Gustav Sporer on sunspots, discovered in 1894 that the solar latitudes at which sunspots occur varies in a regular basis over a course of 11 year cycle. His study of sunspots and the associated solar magnetic cycles also led to the identification of an unusually long period from 1645 to 1715 AD when sunspot activity was almost completely absent. This observation has since been confirmed afresh and elaborated by Jack Eddy and this period (1645-1715 AD) is now known as the ‘Maunder Minimum’. Other such periods of minimum solar sunspot activity and corresponding high cosmic ray incidences have also been identified from 13001360; 1450-1540 and 1790- 1820 AD. The characteristic severity features, associated with these solar enfeeblement periods such as; heavy glacier movements, brief and brisk summers, drought and famine conditions and narrowest compact rings of annual growth of Spruce, Sequoia and other kinds of trees etc. have been very well
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documented. For the entire life of a tree, a year-by-year record of the climatic conditions during its growth is created in that a wet summer and long growing season results in a wider annular growth ring, whereas a drought year results into a narrow ring. By matching tree rings of known years to rainfall data at a particular place, we can easily deduce how much rain each ring width size represents. Similarly, by studying rocks, trees, glacial strata known as varves, ocean sediments, ice layers and coral formations in association with radiometric techniques, a picture of the seasonal variations of climatic conditions undergone for decades or centuries can be reconstructed. Such swings between warm and cold observed in last few centuries in correlative association with data on solar magnetic activity and intensity of cosmic ray showers reaching the Earth’s surface is almost driving the point to a certainty. It was at the suggestion of Eugene Parker, a Physicist from Chicago, Jack Eddy critically examined and studied the work of Edward Walter Maunder and contributed to such an important discovery. Parker had himself authored the theory of the solar winds by which the Sun creates its magnetic barrier against the high energy cosmic rays and radiations from outer galaxies from reaching the Earth. ‘Maunder Minimum’ has fascinated astrophysicists and climate scientists so much that every Sun-like star critically observed routinely for the last three decades have revealed their capacity to modify magnetic activity in the heliosphere as did the Sun during the ‘MaunderMinimum’ period. Cosmic rays Cosmic rays are very high-energy, extremely penetrating charged particles, predominantly protons, electrons (muons), neutrinos and gamma radiations which find their origin in the extra-terrestrial galactic sources such as the remnants of dying / exploding stars and supernova in distant Galaxies of the Universe. Our Sun also emits non-stop streams of relatively low energy electrically charged cosmic radiations consisting of positively charged atoms of several elements, electrons, Xrays and gamma rays, hurling them at periodic bursts with speeds ranging from 350– 750 km per second, during sunspot and solar flare activity. Such solar flares constitute the material link from the Sun to the Earth’s atmosphere. Solar flares are now known to affect the atmosphere and life on the Earth in many ways and particularly reflected
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in phenomena like disruption of power grids, computer networks, satellite transmission black-outs, navigation instruments besides Aurora borealis and Aurora australis (Northern and Southern lights respectively) resulting from the excitation and ionization of gases in the upper atmosphere over the magnetic poles. Until recently, the source of the origin of very high-energy cosmic radiations was a matter of controversy but a special group of four telescopes installed in 2003 near Windhoek in Namibia have finally confirmed that high-energy cosmic rays come from the remnants of exploded stars. Cosmic rays being charged particles constitute electric currents and therefore are deflected back into space by the magnetic fields of not only the galaxy of their origin but also by that of the Sun. As a result, cosmic rays swerve around in spiral circular trajectories several times along their course of journey and produce secondary cosmic ray showers and ionization of atoms colliding in their way. At the surface of the Earth, about 10,000 million neutrinos pass through an area of 1 sq. cm per second. Fortunately, these neutrinos do not interact at all and simply pass through our bodies without any health hazard. More harmful of the components of cosmic rays being the muons which are particles like heavy electrons. One muon passes through one square centimeter per minute at sea level and is created as a product of secondary cosmic ray shower from the interaction of primary cosmic particles (very high energy protons) with molecules of gases at the top of the atmosphere. Almost all primary cosmic ray particles are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and 98% of those that reach the sea level are the harmless muons besides protons and neutrons. Moreover since muons are ones that cross through the blanket of atmosphere to reach the surface, they are primarily the cosmic ray particles that affect the climate most by influencing the low-level clouds which cool the Earth. What needs to be carefully understood from the discussion here being the fact that the cosmic radiations are the perpetual, massive, uninterrupted and inexhaustive primary source and cause of ionization in the three upper, middle and lower strata of atmosphere on a global scale? Recently, Henrik Svensmark and his colleagues
9-15
made a remarkable
observation in that individual water droplets that make up a cloud are formed mostly when electrically charged ions have been released in the vicinity by passing cosmic
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ray particles. This observation almost instantaneously provided a vital clue and linked the process of cloud formation to varying intensity of cosmic rays and solar plasma flux to control the powerful cloud cover and consequently the heating of the Earth’s atmosphere. These workers have not only been able to further confirm the role of cosmic radiations in formation of clouds in Earth’s atmosphere but also establish its direct correlative connection to the solar eruptions and magnetic field intensities of the Sun. Greater influx of cosmic rays during the minimum solar sunspot activity brings a significant increase in global cloudiness, increased direct reflectance of the incident solar radiations and light from over the clouds resulting in a much larger cooling on the surface of the Earth. Despite spectacular success in establishing the connection between the Sunspots, magnetic field activity, cosmic ray penetration through the Heliosphere and global cloud cover, Svensmark had to fight a persistent criticism from those orthodox, who agreed to the role of Sun but disagreed about cosmic radiations and vice versa. A detailed convincing experiment was still needed to clinch the issue and therefore it was ingeniously decided to make use of the High Energy Particle Accelerators to target cosmic ray like charged energetic particle beams from the giant particle accelerators on atmosphere like conditions and composition of gaseous mixture maintained inside a cloud chamber for initiating the process of ionization and their role in cloud formation. The International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project since 1983 pooled the data (1983-1994) received from the civilian weather satellites of all countries and produced monthly charts of average cloud cover divided into square grids distributed over 250 Km wide belt of surface area across the Earth. These charts prepared under the leadership of William Rossow not only depicted the changing seasons, monsoons, across the world but also the large scale changes taking place in distribution of clouds and cloud patterns over the tropical Pacific and South American land masses, revealing thereby a strong connection between global cloudiness and the rhythmic movements of the Sun and the influence of solar variability to be strongest in low altitude clouds. Henrik Svensmark in Copenhagen immediately seized the opportunity to experimentally show how the Sun influences the Earth’s climate and at almost the same time, Eigil Friis-Christensen and Knud Lassen from Greenland announced in
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1991, a close match between the observed rise in temperatures during the 20th century in the Northern Hemisphere and cycles of the sunspot activity. These results indirectly corroborated the empirical observation made some 200 years earlier by Sir William Herschel in England that the price of wheat in the market was higher when sunspots were scarce. Apparently, bringing out the then unknown relationship between the sunspot activity, cosmic ray intensity and cloudy and cold conditions on the Earth. Despite these ideas already afloat, several scientists by 1990s were almost deciding that Sun actually did not matter much and scientists from Russia even favoured the opposite idea that cosmic rays reduce cloudiness. Experiments at the Danish National Space Research Centre Since 1868, scientists have been regularly mapping the intensity of the solar winds and keeping an invaluable record of the connection between the Earth and the Sun. It had been observed that when a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the Sun passes by the Earth, it virtually acts like a magnetic shield for the Earth because the cosmic ray intensity at the sea level drops by almost 25% within a day. Ground Station records of cosmic ray intensity from across the world also indicated that the count rate decreased by about 20-25% with periodic high of the sunspot activity with a time delay of approximately one year from the maximum sunspot activity to the drop in cosmic ray intensity. Against this background, Henrik Svensmark collected data from all available sources about the monthly average of neutron counts at the sea level. The data for the period 1984 to 1987, indicated that the Sun was very quiet during this period of time but more cosmic rays reached the Earth and correspondingly cloudiness increased by about 3-4% globally. Then from 1987-1990, when the cosmic ray count reaching sea level declined, cloudiness also declined by 4% with a perfect match. The conclusion drawn being that clouds strictly obey and follow the cosmic rays. Henrik Svensmark and his colleagues in the year 2000 organized an experiment to study the effect of natural cosmic radiations on cloud formation, erected in the basement of their laboratory a container box made of Mylar plastic and with an inner lining of Teflon. This box called the ‘reaction chamber’ had a capacity to hold
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about seven cubic metres of purified ordinary air or pure bottled oxygen, argon or nitrogen mixed in right natural atmospheric proportion. Changing gases or their proportions in the mixture did not make any difference to the results in inducing ionization in the reaction chamber. This ruled out the possibility of the involvement of nitrogen and a large number of positively charged ions as a contributor and led to focusing attention on the negatively charged ions i.e. electrons. Under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, traces of sulphur dioxide and ozone were introduced into the reaction chamber fitted with seven ultraviolet lamps running continuously or intermittently for ten minutes. A sensitive detector kept a watch on the ensuing chemistry and products released into the box. Analyses of the results obtained from all sorts of combinations tried, indicated that the primary role in the chemical drama that was unfolding in the reaction chamber was being played by the cosmic rays coming through the ceiling and exiting through the floor and leaving charged particles behind their trails. In order to see and verify if the ions produced by the cosmic rays were really seeding the specks, a powerful electric field was switched on to sweep all the charged particles from the box and such fields removed them in a second but reappeared soon and even application of electric field made no difference. Svensmark intuitively thought that negatively charged electrons knocked out during ionization of air molecules by cosmic rays might be doing their seeding work faster provided the electrons merrily jumped from one embryonic sulphuric acid droplet to initiate other and electrons could build up a large effect before the applied electric field could remove all ions. Svensmark and his team therefore decided to increase the concentration of ions instead of removing them from the box to see if there was any effect on the increase or decrease in the number of specks. A Gamma ray source when introduced into the chamber through a tube, suddenly provoked a dramatic increase in the nucleation of specks and this was very encouraging. Not very long after this observation, Martin Enghoff and Joseph Polny noticed that the number of counts in their ultra-fine speck detector suddenly showed large increase as soon as they introduced radio-active source in the box even without switching on the ultra violet lamps. Subsequent experiments using better and strong sources of Gamma rays showed that production of ultra-fine specks increased in proportion to
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the number of charged particles released in the air and productivity goes with square root of the density of ions. Therefore, any variation in cosmic ray intensity was likely to affect speck production. As Svensmark and his team realized that Electrons are the key players which acting as catalyst, promote the ongoing chemistry in the process of nucleation without being consumed themselves. The process of nucleation of specks is generally very fast and is accelerated with increase in the number of electrons averaging about a million per litre. A summary of the conclusions of Svensmark’s experiments and collected data bring out that the weather satellites show clearly the Earth’s cloud cover varying rhythmically over the years in relation with the varying effects of the solar winds and coronal mass ejections (CME) which regulate the number and intensity of cosmic rays reaching the Earth’s surface. The experiments in atmospheric chemistry revealed how electrons set free by the cosmic rays catalyze the clubbing of sulphuric acid molecules in the atmosphere which constitute the most important source of cloud condensation nuclei. The Danish experiment is however, still open to the more elaborate experiments involving the use of very high energy particle accelerators at the CERN, Geneva and probing real atmosphere by aircrafts. Nevertheless, it has established the fact beyond doubt that variations of cosmic ray intensities reaching the Earth’s surface produce clear changes in cloudiness at the lower altitude levels of atmospheric conditions and the ever-changing cosmic rays produce sympathetic changes in the climate of the Earth. A beautiful comprehensive story of the Danish Experiments in efforts to establish relationship between cosmic rays and cloudiness in correlation and corroboration with evidence gathered from other seemingly unconnected but amazingly inter-connected areas such as; radio carbon dating, geological history, geomagnetic theories, paleontology, Antarctic glaciology, space science and cosmology, cosmic ray physics, meteorology and atmospheric chemistry and physics, stellar nuclear chemistry and all such related disciplines has been described in the form of a highly readable book by Henrik Svensmark and Nigel Calder 16. A Word about Global Warming It is now certain that cosmic rays are the key driver of climate change and therefore any firm forecast based on local, site-specific computer models and extrapolated
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over global scale on climate change or global temperature rise is not only rash but irresponsible. Such forecasts not only misguide policy makers, planners and government leaders but lead to diversion of developmental funds for non-priority issues and economic sufferings. No wonder, in the early days of computer climate modeling boom, Joseph Smagorinsky in 1970 had cautioned- “A bad forecast of climate is worse than no forecast at all.” A series of recent books in the market 17-23 describe the treacherous international politics and economic exploitation behind hue and cry on climate change and global warming. Despite computers becoming very powerful today, the assumptions and short-cuts used in climate computer models still remain dubious for various reasons and particularly because climate models are hopelessly flawed for their inability to account for cloudiness and also because no one can be sure how the Sun would behave in the near future and affect climate of the Earth. Most of the computer generated alarming forecasts of global warming are therefore likely to turn out to be highly exaggerated because most of the processes involved in the modification of climate are still not fully understood. Clouds, irrespective of their grey-ness, reflect nearly half of the incident solar radiation back into the space and prevent warming of the surface below. At the same time, the clouds also exert a greenhouse effect by themselves by intercepting the heat from above their surface into the atmosphere so that the top of the clouds is colder than at the bottom and the loss of heat is considerably reduced which helps in warming the lower atmosphere. Thin clouds in general have an overall warming effect and high feathery cirrus clouds are normally so cold that they radiate much less heat than what is blocked from below. Thick middle altitude clouds by far are the best coolers but they account for a mere 7% of the Earth covering at any given time. Acknowledgement The author would like to express his gratitude to all the illustrious writers of the books mentioned under references for the invaluable knowledge, understanding and insight gained through them on a very complex and mind-boggling subject of clouds. (Reprinted from the ‘University News’, a Weekly Journal of Higher Education, published by the Association of Indian Universities, Vol. 50, No. 28, July 09-15, 2012, pp 18-24.)
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References 1. Emoto, Masaru, 2001, The Hidden Messages in Water, Translated in English from original in Japanese by David A. Thayne, Atria Books. 2. Sheldrake, Rupert, 1995, A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance, Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont. 3. Hamblyn, Richard, 2001, The Invention of Clouds, Picador. 4. Hamblyn, Richard, 2010, Extraordinary Clouds-Skies of the unexpected from the beautiful to the bizarre, David and Charles in association with the Met Office. 5. Clegg, Brian, 2011, Inflight Science-A Guide to the World from Your Airplane Window, Icon Books. 6. Foster Russell and Leon Kreitzman. 1996, Seasons of Life-The Biological Rhythms that living things need to thrive and survive, Profile Books. 7. Bryson, Bill, 2004, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Black Swan, p.324, 333. 8. Gadgil, Sulochana, 1974 Monsoon Meteorology, Extension Lecture Series No. 10, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. 9. Ditlevsen, Peter, Henrik Svensmark and Sigfus johnsen, 1996, Contrasting atmospheric and climate dynamics of the last glacial and Holocene periods, Nature, Vol. 379, 810-12. 10. Svensmark, Henrik and Eigil Friis-Christensen, 1997, Variation of cosmic ray flux and global cloud coverage-A missing link in Solar-Climate relationships, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar Terrestrial Physics, Vol. 59, 1225-32. 11. Svensmark, Henrik, 1998, Influence of cosmic rays on Earth’s climate, Physical Review Letters, Vol. 81, 5027-30. 12. Marsh, Nigel and Henrik Svensmark, 2000, Low cloud properties influenced by cosmic rays, Physical Review Letters, Vol. 85, 5004-07. 13. Marsh, Nigel and Henrik Svensmark, 2000, Cosmic rays, clouds and climate, Space Science Review, Vol. 94, 215-30. 14. Svensmark, Henrik, 2003, Cosmic rays and the evolution of Earth’s climate during the last 4.6 billion years, e-print http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0311087. 15. Svensmark, Henrik, Jens Olaf Pepke Pedersen, Nigel Marsh, Martin Enghoff and Ulrik Uggerhoj, 2007, Experimental evidence for the role of ions in particle nucleation under atmospheric conditions, Proceedings of the Royal Society A, Vol. 463, 385-96.
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16. Svensmark, Henrik and Nigel Calder, 2007, The Chilling Stars-A New Theory of Climate Change, ICON Books. 17. Lawson, Nigel, 2008, An Appeal to Reason-A Cool Look at Global Warming, Duckworth Overlook. 18. Montford, A.W., 2010, The Hockey Stick Illusion-Climategate and the Corruption of Science, Independent Minds, STACEY International. 19. Michaels, Patrick J. Editor, 2011, Climate Coup-Global Warming’s Invasion of Our Government and Our Lives, CATO Institute, Washington. 20. Spencer, Roy W., 2009, The Great Global Warming Blunder-How Mother Nature Fooled the World’s Top Climate Scientists, Encounter Books. 21. Bell, Larry, 2011, Climate of Corruption-Politics and Power Behind the Global Warming Hoax, Greenleaf Book Group Press. 22. Seethaler, Sherry, 2009, Lies, Damned Lies, and Science- How to Sort Through the Noise around Global Warming, The Latest Health Claims, and Other Scientific Controversies, Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as FT Press Science, New Jersey. 23. Sinclair, Matthew, 2009, Let Them Eat Carbon- The Price of Failing Climate Change Politics and How Governments and Big Business Profit from Them, Bb Publishing.
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13. A Discussion on the Requisites of Raw Cotton Fibre Properties for High-Speed Spinning and Practical Approach for Breeding New Varieties With Inherent High Fibre Tenacity ABSTRACT In this paper, the requirements on raw cotton fibre properties have been reviewed for use on the modern high-speed spinning machines, in the light of the current knowledge on the structure and structure-property relations of developing and mature cotton fibres and the genetic inheritability of fine structural, physical and technological properties of fibres. It is emphasized that all future cotton breeding efforts for evolving new varieties with high fibre tenacity must be based on crossing parent genotypes, screened on the basis of the Hermans cellulose crystallite orientation factor and rate and amount of cellulose synthesized and deposited in developing and mature fibres. This approach is believed to be short and simple than other methods because cotton fibre tenacity has been demonstrated to be not only genetically inherited but environmentally the most stable of all fibre properties. Key words: cotton fibre, structure, properties, cellulose, orientation & tenacity
Introduction Historical Cotton, Gossypium spp., as an agricultural crop is commercially grown in regions with warm climates all over the world (Cotton monograph 1960; Moharir 1987; Santhanan and Sundaram 1999). Grown primarily for lint fibres, used as the raw material for textiles, cotton plant also provides other economic by products such as; edible seed oil, seed hulls, bovine animal meal and linters for making quality grade paper. Besides, the left over cotton stalks from the fields make an important resource for production of high-grade industrial alcohol, pharmaceutical grade microcrystalline cellulose and particle and straw hard-boards (CIRCOT-Mumbai).
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Requisites on raw cotton fibre properties Continual genetic selections, breeding and hybridizations made in the past 5000 years of recorded history have evolved the perennial cotton trees into the annually cultivated, bushy, crop-plant types (Cotton monograph 1960) and improvements in fibre fineness, staple length, fibre strength, elongation and spinnability to yarns of higher counts for production of fine and superfine textiles. In this process, the availability of nonphotoperiodic (day-neutral), primitive germplasm containing a wealth of genetic variability played a very crucial role in improving agronomic and fibre traits of the cultivated varieties (Poehlman 1959; Cotton Inc. Raleigh Conf 1996). However, recent developments in industrial processing of cotton fibres and textile machinery, have put considerable pressure on the basic requirements on raw cotton fibre properties for production of textile materials with consistent uniform quality (Gannaway 1982; Smirfitt 1997). No wonder, the history of the development in cotton genetics, breeding and hybridization for improved fibre yields and properties should be linked to the progress and developments in fibre processing technologies (Smirfitt 1997). This is evident from a very distinct shift in the emphasis and cotton breeding priority from breeding new genotypes for increased staple length to breeding for increased inherent tenacity of raw fibres (Moharir 1987; Kiekens & Moharir 1997; Moharir 2003). The urgency in such transition is evident from cotton breeding programs from all over the world as the replacement of the old ring-frame spinning spindles in textile mills accelerates gradually in favour of the open-end, rotor spinning spindles. The essential requisites on raw cotton fibre properties for suitability on Open-EndRotor-Spinning machines have been identified in order of importance to be; fibre tenacity, fineness and staple length as against the requirement for the Ring-Frame spinning machines in order of importance as; staple length, fineness and fibre tenacity (Gannaway 1982; Moharir 1987; Koch, 1989; Moharir 2000). Nearly 80% of the cotton textiles in the world are produced from yarns spun to 20s to 40s counts and with almost 95% of the cotton lint-fibre production in India falling in the short, medium and medium long category, prospects for early, rapid expansion of rotor spinning appear to be very bright. Recent analysis of improvements made in commercial grade cotton fibre
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properties in America from 1975 to 1990 (Lewis 1999) indicates a strong relationship between the %CV in micronaire value and %CV in single fibre tenacity. And this relationship is suggested to be responsible for the variance in strength values of fibres and for a closer attention by the breeders in their cotton breeding lines. Variance in other fibre properties such as, staple length and strength must also receive as much closer attention in breeding as given to the magnitudes of these properties. In other words, variance which occur on cotton plants, in cotton fields and in cotton bales must become a common concern of the geneticists, cotton breeders, biotechnologists, molecular geneticists and cotton growers. In effective control of variance in field grown cotton fibre properties only, lies the future success of cotton fibre improvement in the twenty-first century (Lewis 1999). The average productivity of cotton in India is the lowest amongst the major cotton producing countries of the world and the prominent impediments being, nearly 65% of the cotton cultivating area lying in the rainfed zone, devoid of any irrigation facilities and totally subjected to the vagaries of the un-predictable Indian monsoons, high levels of pest incidence and complexities of pest-management. Heliothis, pink bollworm, whitefly, root rot, leaf curl virus and sudden appearance of wilt are the major yield limiting factors (Mayee et. al. 2001). Genetic and environmental determination of fibre properties Millions of man-hours have been spent in almost all the cotton producing countries of the world in trying to establish the significance of genetic origin and agronomic and environmental conditions of growth in the determination of the important technological properties of fibres during their growth on plants within both, individual species and in their intra- and inter-specific hybrids (Moharir 1987; Santhanam and Sundaram 1999; Moharir 2000; Moharir 2003; Bowman and Guitierrez 2003). Analysis of over fifty years data on fibre properties in relation to the environmental conditions and locations of growth indicates, that the strength of cotton fibres is not only genetically inherited but environmentally the most stable of all cotton fibre properties (Gannaway 1982). Cotton is well established to be native of the Indian origin. Endowed with
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excellent fibre properties, durability for continued long-term use, un-paralleled comfort in garments, bio-degradability, environment friendly and hygienically safe, the cotton plant has forcibly been taken from the tropical regions by man, to several un-conventional and even hostile climates, resulting in, considerable variations in fibre properties arising as a result of the complex genotype-biochemical-biophysicalphysiological and environmental interactions (Maursberger 1954; Cotton monograph 1960; Santhanam and Sundaram 1999). World over, only four out of the several species of the genus Gossypium, consisting of two each of diploid and tetraploid types, are being grown commercially for production of lint fibres. The other wild uncultivated species are used as genetic stock for transfer of specific characters and traits from them to within the cultivated species and varieties (Cotton monograph 1960; Watt 1995). India is perhaps the only country in the world that grows all these four cultivated species on economic scale from within the well-demarcated, agro-ecological regions (Cotton monograph 1960; Watt 1995; Santhanam and Sundaram 1999). However, almost 90% of lintfibre production in the world is produced from varieties belonging to Gossypium hirsutum in view of their highly adaptive nature to varying climatic conditions and relative seed-cotton yield superiority over the other three species (Maursberger 1954; Watt 1995; Mayee et.al. 2001). Location specificity of cotton varieties, insect-pest infestation, environmental pollution Cotton is known to be a highly location specific crop and one single variety does not often produce the desired levels of seed cotton and lint-fibre productivity. Breeding and evolving location specific varieties with comparable yields and fibre properties is therefore a continual process. This is further complicated by the nature and extent of insect-pest infestations and ability of the genotypes to sustain itself and yet produce economic yields to growers. In attempts to salvage cotton crops from insect-pest damages, nearly 60-80% of the insecticide-pesticide consumption in the world is applied only over the cotton crop, resulting thereby environmental problems of un-imaginable dimensions besides poisoning of our soils and animal and human food chains with long persisting insecticide residues within human and
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animal tissues (Liewellyn et.al 1992; Swadener 1994; Nester 2002; The Guardian 2002). Transgenic cotton Attempts to remedy the situation with large scale introduction of transgenic B.t. cotton varieties, howsoever laudable, does not appear to be a complete panacea to eliminate insecticide use for reasons given below ; 1. Attempts to transform the currently cultivated hybrids into B.t. transgenic and finally introgress the B.t. genes into varieties of purely Indian background could be a long drawn process and it may be decades before suitable transgenic varieties are available for all agro-ecological regions of the country. Dependence on insecticides is therefore very likely to continue indefinitely. 2. B.t. gene expression varies within varieties and with environmental conditions of growth with relatively good expression of endo-toxin within a range of 5-6 ìg per gram of green tissue. Resistance of B.t. cotton significantly decreases over time from the time of sowing. Therefore, the plants may still require external application of insecticides to some extent (The Guardian, June 26, 2002). 3. No studies have been directed to estimate partitioning of the assimilated energy within a growing cotton plant that goes in synthesizing the endo-toxin and yet produce fibres of reasonable quality. Under the circumstances, there is no confirmatory evidence for the stability of fibre properties, particularly fibre tenacity between the original varieties and their transgenic versions. A deliberate study into such variation in fibre properties between non-B.t. and B.t. versions of some varieties was got done by the Delta and Pine Land Co and Monsanto in 1998 and the results were kept in strict secrecy. These results, when first made public at the Beltwide Cotton Conference held at San Antonio, USA in 2000, indicated no deleterious effects on fibre and fabric properties but the presenter did indeed prod the genetic engineers in conclusion to improve the fibre properties (Land of Cotton Archieves, website, http:/ /www.Landofcotton.com, April-June 2000). 4. Full implications of the expression of the B.t. endo-toxin on the entire physiology of the cotton plant itself and its various phonological stages are still not known for
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certain. 5. There is considerable confusion over the full implications of the long-term effects and bio-safety aspects of the endo-toxin in the animal and human food chains with inherent danger of a major ecological disaster falling out after prolonged use and B.t.endo-toxins becoming symbiotic to human and animal physiology and development of resistance in target pests with consequent proliferation of other pests in B.t. cotton fields (The Guardian, June 26, 2002). 6. Each of the more than 800 known strains of Bacillus thuringiensis are known to exhibit different toxicity to insects, rodents and humans. Irritations to skin and in eyes, respiratory depressions, aggravation of already pre-existing diseases and almost certain death in case of infestation in brain, have been some of the serious documented observations due to the widely used B.t. kurstaki and israelensis strains (Swadener 1994). 7. B.t. spores are well known to persist for pretty long periods in soils, mud, water and air and can drift with wind upto 3 Km from the source (Swadener 1994). Productivity, production and Hybrid cotton breeding in India India made a commercial beginning of hybrid cottons, for the first time in the world in 1970 with the cultivation of hybrid H-4. This hybrid soon spread itself to large areas in Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and helped the country in meeting substantially, its export commitments. Encouraged with this success, a large number of successful intra- and inter-specific hybrids were evolved for commercial cultivation in specific soil and climate conditions. Development of hybrids and their successful cultivation has not only made the country self sufficient in fulfilling the local textile mill demand for fibre in the category of medium and medium-long staple but reduced the cotton import bill, and helped in earning extra income through export of domestic surplus. The total average domestic production of lint fibre in India, from all species and categories of staple is of the order of 165 lakh bales (170 kg each) from nearly 8-9 million ha of land under cotton cultivation. This figure is expected to reach to a record high in the year 2004-2005.
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Biotechnology, molecular marker aided selection and breeding Besides the attempts to transform some of the currently cultivated high yielding cotton varieties into B.t. transgenic for durable resistance to pests and diseases, scientists are also looking for solving some other problems relating to cropping systems, salt, flood, yield and drought tolerance using molecular markerassisted selections of prominent genotypes for cultivation under specific conditions (Liewellyn 1992; Mathias 2004; Huang et.al. 2002; Guo et.al. 2003). Several reports have been written projecting very bright future for the applications of biotechnological tools as the panacea for mitigating the greed and demand of our exploding population. The problem may be easy to solve in case of simple characters linked to single genes. However, complex characters like drought, salt or flood tolerance or yield for crop improvement, controlled by more than one gene, are difficult for modification as the presence of all responsible genes for a particular trait need to be ensured in the altered progenies. The perennial growth habits, late maturity and photoperiod’s make screening of parent cotton genotypes difficult (Guttenvolk 2004). Biotechnological product development essentially require active cooperation from a multi-disciplinary group of scientists and any success on laboratory scale in product development may still require its demonstration and establishment under field conditions before transfer to the growers. Contaminated Indian cotton produce and public policy Indian cotton, however is generally accepted to be highly contaminated by international standards, inspite of the fact that the entire harvest of seed cotton in the country is done manually and most of our indigenous varieties are very well suited to modern spinning machinery and are at par with some of the best imported cotton in respect of quality. This calls for an urgent action on the part of the Government to break the dichotomy between demand and supply of quality fibres, production, harvest and grading research and procurement, processing and storage systems (Mayee et.al.2001). The Government needs to enact special laws with provisions for stringent punishments to stop the prevalent malpractices indulged into in deliberately
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contaminating harvested cotton produce for monetary gains. The farmers should be made legally bound to safeguard the quality and standards of their own harvested produce in lieu of the subsidies given to them at the cost of the tax payers. It is hoped, that the Cotton Technology Mission launched by the Government of India since 2000 will bring in a qualitative change in the situation and greater awareness to all concerned in the chain from cotton growers to technologists and consumers. Cotton quality standards, their evaluation and maintenance Cotton with higher fibre length uniformity (UR%); micronaire value range of 3.5 to 4.5 (to cover wide count range); about 80% mature fibres; breaking fibre tenacity of 25 g/tex (1/8 in gauge) and higher and above 7% extension to break, are much sought after by the spinners for efficient production of yarns of high quality on modern Open-End Rotor Spinning machines (Smirfitt 1997; Moharir 2000; Mayee et.al.2001). Cotton breeding programs at progressive breeding centers are therefore geared to breed cotton with raw fibre tenacity of nearly 40 g/tex (Gannaway 1982). Fortunately, basic physical / technological properties of cotton fibres are genetically inherited and positive inheritance of even the fine structural parameter of fibres, measured in terms of cellulose crystallite orientation, has been demonstrated within inter-specific F1 hybrids of Gossypium barbadense and Gossypium hirsutum (Moharir et.al. 1992). Identification, characterization, selection and use of the basic parent materials for hybridization for increased strength of fibres is therefore, very crucial in cotton breeding programs (Moharir 1987; Moharir 2000; Moharir 2003, Moharir, Bodas and Vashsth 2003). Several parameters have been suggested and used for characterization of cotton fibres for tenacity and the cellulose crystallite orientation factor (Hermans crystallite orientation factor) computed from the Xray diffraction patterns recorded from the well parallelized bundles of fibres has been emphatically demonstrated to be the best, both within varieties of individual species, within a mixture of varieties of diploid species, a mixture of varieties of tetraploid species and within a mixture of varieties of all the species taken together (Moharir 1987; Moharir et.al 1992). The most pernicious source of variability in fibre properties within individual
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species, variety and from individual bolls from the same plant is the environmental conditions under which the fibres differentiate, develop and mature (Lewis 1999). Stupendous amount of work has been done in identifying the most ideal and favorable soil, nutritional, environmental and agro-climatic conditions for quality cotton fibre production from multi-disciplinary angle and yet the goal still appears to be out of sight because the task is not a simple one. Some gross ‘thumb rules’ have however been evolved and these are continuously revised under the All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Program (AICCIP-annual reports; Warwicker et. al. 1966; Connors 1972; Moharir 1987; Moharir 2000; Moharir 2003). Instrumental evaluation of cotton fibre quality Developments in cotton processing technologies virtually compelled corresponding developments in objective fibre quality evaluation in textile units for maintaining a sustained uniformity of finished products, batch after batch and year after year (Smirfitt 1997 and several cross references; Chaudhary ICAC-Technical Publication, Washington). The development of the sophisticated, fully automatic and computerized fibre quality evaluation systems in the integrated high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fibre information system (AFIS) facilities and their mandatory use in all international cotton trade and transactions has not only revolutionized fibre testing but has made fibre testing very objective and free from personal subjective bias that was so involved in such earlier manual methods. Calibrated systems operated by different individuals from different locations produce almost identical data on fibre properties for the same set of fibre samples (Smirfitt 1997; Moharir 2003a). It may however be required at times to revise and even re-establish correlations between two or several other fibre properties and heritability of the same fibre property measured on manual and the new computerized systems (Chellamani et.al. 1995). Development and structure of cotton fibres A cotton fibre is a tubular outgrowth of a single tiny cell on the outer epidermis of seed / fertilized ovule. This fibre progresses through four developmental stages; initiation, elongation, secondary wall cellulose synthesis and deposition and dehydration. Whereas the first three stages occur inside the cotton boll while the
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fibre is still live and actively growing, the last stage occurs when the developing cotton bolls are cut off from the transpiration stream of the cotton plant and the fibres are physiologically dead. The dehydrating fibres collapse into flat convoluted ribbons and are separated from the seed for use as fibres in textiles (Moharir 1987; Moharir 2002). Chemical structure of cotton fibre Research on cotton cellulose From the present knowledge of the structure of cotton fibre, it constitutes about 95-99% pure cellulose, which is wholly crystalline in nature. A bulk of this cellulose is synthesized within the cells and deposited into secondary walls during boll maturity period, as long unending threads called microfibrils. In view of its purity, cotton cellulose has been the subject of extensive investigation for its biosynthetic pathways, extent of cellulose polymer chain length, degree of polymerization, optimum environmental conditions for synthesis, rate and amount of synthesis, density, crystallite size, crystal lattice type, unit cell size and its group, structure and disposition of cellulose, polymorphs, orientation of cellulose crystallites within microfibrillar polymer and within the matrix of diurnal secondary layers during development and the extent of crystallinity (Moharir 1987; Moharir 2000; Moharir 2003; Warwicker et.al 1966; Koch 1989). All of these parameters have found practical applications in determining structure-property correlations and in assessing the technological performance of fibres with considerable success (Warwicker et.al 1966; Connors 1972; Moharir 1987; Koch 1989; Moharir et.al 1992 & 1999; Moharir 2000; Moharir 2003). Cellulose crystallite orientation and crystallite sizes from diploid and tetraploid cotton and their stability within varieties grown at different locations and crop seasons X-ray cellulose crystallite orientation parameters have been shown to correlate best with the tensile strength of cotton fibres (Maursberger 1954; Warwicker et.al 1966; Moharir 1987; Koch 1989; Moharir et.al. 1998) and these Xray orientation parameters for individual cotton varieties have also been shown to
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remain practically invariant when grown at different agro-climatic locations and in different crop years (Kiekens and Moharir 1997; Moharir et.al 1999). Further, a comprehensive study on the same cotton varieties, grown at different locations and in different crop years, show variations in crystallite sizes corresponding to crystallographic planes (I0I), (I0*) and (002) within individual varieties of two species, but the combined average crystallite size corresponding to (I0I) and (I0*) planes taken together is always equal to the average crystallite size of (002) plane (Kiekens and Moharir 1997; Moharir and Kiekens 1998). It is visualized that such variations in cellulose crystallite sizes arise as a result of the differences in the amount of cellulose synthesized within fibres of varieties and their deposition into crystalline matrix within developing cotton fibres, since, cellulose molecules from various sources at the molecular level are same but they differ in the crystalline structures and binding by other bio-chemicals (Wang Nam Sun from website). Individual contribution of (I0I and I0*) crystallographic planes to crystallinity of cotton has been estimated to be 24.36% as compared to only 5.28% by the (002 and 02I) planes (Malutan et.al 1999). A cotton breeder, has therefore been suggested to look for cottons wherein both the length-to-width ratio of the polymer (Kalyanaraman 1985) and the orientation of cellulose crystallites to the fibre axis are high and use these parameters for screening parent genotypes for breeding newer strains with increased fibre tenacity (Moharir 1987). Rate and amount of cellulose synthesis in cotton varieties Cellulose synthesis and its deposition is also known to be influenced by several factors such as soil and soil-moisture conditions, location of growth, humidity, maximum and minimum diurnal temperatures, variety and species of cotton (Moharir 2003 and Moharir, Bodas and Vashisth 2003 and several cross references therein). The rate of cellulose synthesis is directly related to night temperature, which is one of the greatest deterrents to optimum fibre development. A decrease in temperature from the optimum causes numerous modifications in cotton fibre structure and ultimately in the physical, chemical and technological properties of fibres. No wonder, rate and amount of cellulose synthesis, its nature and disposition in the secondary
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diurnal growth layers of developing cotton fibres as measured in terms of the X-Ray orientation fine structure parameters determine the physical and technological properties of fibres in view of the very significant correlations between these parameters (Maursberger 1954; Warwicker 1966; Moharir 1987; 2000; 2003; Moharir et.al. 1992; 1999). The varieties of Gossypium hirsutum have again been shown recently to synthesize higher amount of cellulose as compared to the varieties of diploid Gossypium arboreum when grown simultaneously on the same farm, during the same crop year and under uniform agro-climatic conditions of growth (Moharir, Bodas and Vashisth 2003). Conclusion It may be observed from the above forgone discussion that it is extremely difficult to change cotton fibre properties simultaneously with economic yields in view of a large number of genes involved and complexities of the molecular biosynthesis involved in the development of fibres (Jian Ji Sheng et.al. 2003). The simplest integrated indices of the technological properties, reflective of the fine structure developed and laid within fibres of individual varieties during growth on plants being; the rate and amount of cellulose synthesized and the disposition and orientation of this cellulose to the fibre axis, measured chemically and with the help of X-ray diffraction patterns from the bundles of cotton fibres respectively. With all the knowledge about the complex biosynthetic pathways, the genes and the genetic code sequence involved in synthesis of the final product i.e. cellulose in developing fibres, the associative properties of these bio-molecules and their complementary roles is still not clear. It is the conviction of the author that screening of cotton germplasm, based on the ‘rate and amount of cellulose synthesized’ and ‘cellulose crystallite orientation in their fibres on maturity’, be used as the indices for screening parent genotypes in cotton breeding program for hybridization and evolving new varieties with inherent high fibre tenacity demanded by the new spinning machines. This approach, backed up by the conventional back cross breeding methods, will be far more quicker, easy and practically effective than the high-tech biotechnological and molecular genetics procedures.
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(Reprinted from the Proceedings on International Symposium on “Strategies for Sustainable Cotton Production- A Global Vision” Vol. 1, Crop Improvement, 2325 November, 2004, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India, pp 61-67.) REFERENCES 1. Bowman D T and Gutierrez O A 2003, Breeding and Genetics: Sources of fibre strength in the US upland cotton crop from 1980-2000 (and cross references therein) J. Cotton Sci. 7, 164-169. 2. Chaudhary M R, Technical information, Cotton yields and production research, International Cotton Advisory Committee, Washington, USA. 3. Chellamani K P, Gnanasekar K, Ravindran M S and Ratnam T V, 1995, Fibre yarn relationships using HVI/FMT measured fibre properties. Technical Report Vol 41 No. 1, The South India Textile Research Association Coimbatore, India. 4. Cottom Monographs 1960 Vol I-IV, Cotton in India, Indian Central Cotton Committee, Bombay, India. 5. Connors R T O, Ed., 1972, Instrumental methods of analyses of cotton cellulose and modified cotton cellulose, Marcel Dekker Inc. New York. 6. CIRCOT-Mumbai Report, Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Adenwala Road, Matunga (west) Mumbai 400019, India. 7. Gannaway John R, 1982, Breeding for high strength cotton, Textile Res. J., 52, 31-35. 8. The Guardian 2002, June 26, Report on Doubts over GM crops. 9. Guo Wangzhen, Zhang Tianzhen, Shen Xinlian, Yu Z John and Kohel R J, 2003, Development of SCAR marker linked to a major QTL for high fibre strength and its usage in molecular marker assisted selection in upland cotton, Crop Sci. 43, 2252-2256. 10. Guttenvolk B R, 2004, USDA Plant Genome Research Programme, from the website (http://www.hellers.com/steve/resume/p137.html). 11. Huang Jikum, Hu Ruifa, Wang Qinfang, Keeley James and Zepeda Jose Falck, 2003, Agricultural Biotechnology Development, Policy and Impact in China, EPW Review of Science Studies from the website (http://www.patentmatics.com pub2002/pub76.htm). 12. Ji Sheng- Jiang, Lu Ying-Chun, Feng Jian-Xun, Wei Gang, Li Jun, Shi Youg-Hui, Fu Qiang, Liu Di, Luo Jing-Chu and Zhu Yu-Xian, 2003 Isolation and analyses of
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genes preferentially expressed during early cotton fibre development by subtractive PCR and cDNA array, Nucleic Acids Res., 31(1) 2534- 2543. 13. Kalyanaraman A R, 1985, Carbohydrate Polym. UK, 5, 215-219. 14. Kiekens Paul and Moharir A V, 1997 Final Report on the Project – Research on the fine structure of cotton fibres, on factors that determine this structure and on the significance of the structure on the technological value of fibres. Contract No. CI* 1CT93-0077, Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, Belgium. 15. Koch P A, 1989 Ed. Fibre Tables-according to P A Koch- Cotton, Institut fur Textiltechnik der Rheinisch Westfalischen Hoschule, Aachen, Germany. 16. Land of Cotton Archieves 2000, from the website (Landofcotton.com/April June 2000/archieves/arc10..shtml). 17. Liewellyn DJ, Brown M, Cousins Y, Hartweck L, Last D, Matthews A, Murray F and 1992, The Science behind transgenic cotton plants, in Proc. 6 th Australian Thistleton J, Cotton Conf. Broadbeach, Qld, August 1992. 18. Lewis H, 1999, How should cotton fibre be improved? In Proc. Engineered Fibre Selection Conf. May 18, Greenville, SC, USA. 19. Maulatan Th, Clovica S, Rozmarin Ecaterina, 1999, Some aspects regarding characterization of celluloses by physico-chemical methods, in Proc. 12 th International Symp. Iasi, September 21-23, pp 16-19. 20. Mat1hias Ray, 2004, Genetic modification- The Science background material, Copyright 2004, The Royal Agricultural Society of England, from the website (http://www.patentmatics.com/pub2002 pub76.htm). Pp 1-5. 21. Maursberger H R, Ed. 1954, Matthews Textile Fibres, John Wiley & Sons New York and Chapman and Hall London, pp 53-119. 22. Moharir A V, 1987, Structure and strength-crystallite orientation relationship in native cotton fibres, Review Article, Indian J. Text. Res., 12, 106-119. 23. Moharir A V, Vijayraghavan K M, Panda B C and Singh Munshi, 1992, The correlation between X-ray orientation parameters and strength of cotton fibres and the genetic inheritance of orientation parameters in inter-specific F1 hybrids, Paper presented at the Silver Jubilee National Symposium, All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project, Coimbatore, India, September 17-19, 1992. 24. Moharir A V, Louwagie Johanna, Langenhove Lieva Van and Kiekens Paul, 1992, The correlation between X-ray orientation parameters and strength of fibres in native cotton, J. Appl. Polym. Sci, 44, 1913-1919.
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25. Moharir A V and Kiekens Paul, 1998, Cellulose crystallite sizes in diploid and tetraploid cotton, J. Appl. Polym Sci., 68, 2107-2112. 26. Moharir A V, Langenhove Lieva Van, Louwagie Johanna, Nimmen Els Van and Kiekens, Paul, 1999, Stability of X-ray crystallite orientation parameters in diploid and tetraploid cotton with change of location and year of growth, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 72, 269-276. 27. Moharir A V, 2000, Development and structure property relations in native cotton fibres, in Progress in Textile Science and Technology Vol 2, Textile Fibres : Developments and Innovations, V K Kothari Ed., IAFL Publications, New Delhi, India, pp 680-735. 28. Moharir A V, 2003, Structure and structure-property relationship in native cotton : Some challenges to breeders, A Review Article, Indian J. Fibre & Text. Res., 28, 348-362. 29. Moharir A V, 2003 a, Final Report on the project – Improvement of medium long and extra-long staple fibre quality suitable for high speed spinning. National Cotton Technology Mission, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, India. 30. Moharir A V, Bodas, Manish and Vashisth Ananta, 2003b, Rate and amount of cellulose synthesis in developing fibres of Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium hirsutum cotton, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 90(6), 1453-1462. 31. Nester Eugene, Thomashow Linda S, Metz Matthew and Gordon Milton, 2002, 100 years of Bacillus thuringiensis : A critical Scientific Assessment, A Report from the American Academy of Microbiologists, from the website (http:/ www.asmusa.org). 32. Poehlman J M, 1959, Breeding field crops, Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc New York 33. Proceedings of the Engineered Fibre Selection Conference, 1966, Cotton Incorporated Raleigh NC, USA. 34. Santhanam V and Sundaram V, 1999, Historical perspective of cotton in India, in Handbook of Cotton in India, Eds.V Sundaram, A K Basu, K R Krishna Iyer, S S Narayanan and T P Rajendran, pp1-17, Indian Society for Cotton Improvement, CIRCOT, Matunga (West), Mumbai-400 019, India. 35. Smirfitt, J A, Ed. Cotton Testing 1997, Textile Progress 27(1) p 66, The Textile Institute, Manchester, UK. 36. Swadner Carrie 1994, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.T.) Copyright 1994, Northwest
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Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, from the website (http:/ eap.mcgill. ca.MagRack/JPR/JPR_22htm). 37. Wang Nam Sun, Cellulose Degradation, Experiment No.4 from the website (http://omnicron.ch.tuiasi.ro/~thmalu/symp99_1.pdf) 38. Warwicker J O, Jeffries R, Colbran R L and Robinson R N, 1966, A review of the literature on the effect of caustic soda and other swelling agents on the fine structure of cotton, Pamphlet No. 93, Shirley Institute, Manchester, UK. 39. Watt, Sir George, 1995, The Cotton plants of the world, The first Indian Edition, p 406, A Sagar Book House, Delhi, India
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Summary Statement on the Contribution of Dr. A.V. Moharir to Science Anil Vishnu Moharir (b. 4 th February 1944 at Nagpur), holds Masters degree in Physics and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Starting his research career from the National Physical Laboratory in 1967, he joined IARIICAR service in 1968 and served in various capacities as Senior Research Assistant, Scientist, Professor and Head, Division of Agricultural Physics. He initially worked on spectroscopic, spectro-photometric and electron microscopic studies of soils, plants and other biological materials and developed accurate spectro-photometric methods for trace determination of Iron and Titanium, many techniques for practical transmission electron microscopy and a new technique of Contact Electron Micrography for characterization of paper and thin film materials. Based on his studies on moisture hysteresis of seeds, he developed a simple laboratory procedure for screening drought tolerant wheat and rice varieties for rainfed cultivation and introduced a new concept of ‘Normalized-Moisture-Hysteresis’, which has found practical use in bakery and biscuit industry. Later he studied extensively the fine structure and structure-property relationships in native cotton fibres of all the four commercial species for helping breeders in selecting parent genotypes for evolving new strains with inherent high fibre tenacity, as demanded by the modern spinning technology. He identified X-Ray cellulose crystallite orientation index (Hermans Orientation Factor) to be the best index for characterization of cotton for tensile strength, both within individual species, within mixtures of diploid and tetraploid species and within a mixture of all species of cotton taken together. Prof. Moharir has published over one hundred research papers in national and international journals, presented several at international conferences held in India, Germany, Belgium and USA as invited Keynote Speaker, translated and edited books, poems, religious discourses and texts from Hindi and Marathi into English. He served as Honorary Editor of the Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research (CSIR), Journal of Agricultural Research, as a regular referee for several other scientific journals, and
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as a Panel Scientist for the e-text book project of NISCOM (CSIR). A recipient of prestigious fellowships from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna-Austria and the Commission of the European Communities, Brussels-Belgium, Prof. Moharir has successfully handled two international collaborative research projects on cotton. He has traveled extensively in England, Europe, Russia (USSR) and USA. Over half a dozen international biographical compilations on people of significant achievements have listed him for his contribution to science. Deeply interested in Hindustani classical vocal and instrumental music, Prof. Moharir is himself an accomplished portrait artist in charcoal medium and a connoisseur of fine art. After retirement from service in 2006, he is actively working for- ‘Mission Health and Green India’ besides writing freelance on various subjects.
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