Study of Humidity Effect on Benzene Decomposition by the Dielectric Barrier Discharge Nonthermal Plasma Reactor

The humidity effects on the benzene decomposition process were investigated by the dielectric barrier discharge（DBD） plasma reactor.The results showed that the water vapor played an important role in the benzene oxidation process.It was found that there was an optimum humidity value for the benzene removal efficiency,and at around 60% relative humidity（RH）,the optimum benzene removal efficiency was achieved.At a SIE of 378 J/L,the removal efficiency was 66% at 0% RH,while the removal efficiency reached 75.3% at 60% RH and dropped to 69% at 80% RH.Furthermore,the addition of water inhibited the formation of ozone and NO2 remarkably.Both of the concentrations of ozone and NO2 decreased with increasing of the RH at the same specific input energy.At a SIE of 256 J/L,the concentrations of ozone and NO2 were 5.4 mg/L and 1791 ppm under dry conditions,whereas they were only 3.4 mg/L and 1119 ppm at 63.5%RH,respectively.Finally,the outlet gas after benzene degradation was qualitatively analyzed by FT-IR and GC-MS to determine possible intermediate byproducts.The results suggested that the byproducts in decomposition of benzene primarily consisted of phenol and substitutions of phenol.Based on these byproducts a benzene degradation mechanism was proposed.

In vitro study of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma in improving the durability of the dentin–adhesive interface with an etch-and-rinse system

In this study, we employed a nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma(NTAPP) jet to evaluate the effect of plasma treatment on the durability of resin–dentin bonding under a thermocycling challenge. Furthermore, we assessed the degradation resistance of plasma-treated collagen under a sodium hypochlorite(NaClO) challenge. We assessed the beneficial effect of NTAPP treatment on the acid-etched dentin–bonding interface by testing the micro-tensile bond strength and examining the morphology. We found that the immediate bonding strength of the dentin significantly increased after NTAPP treatment. Compared with the control group, NTAPP resulted in a more prominent effect on the bonding durability of the dentin–adhesive interface after treatment for 5 or 10 s. Simultaneously, the mechanical strength of dentin collagen under the NaClO challenge was improved. Our results indicate that, in optimal conditions, NTAPP could be a promising method to protect dentin collagen and to improve the bonding durability between dentin and etch-and-rinse adhesives.

Hawking effect and quantum nonthermal radiation of an arbitrarily accelerating charged black hole using a new tortoise coordinate transformation

Using a new tortoise coordinate transformation, this paper investigates the Hawking effect from an arbitrarily accelerating charged black hole by the improved Damour-Ruffini method. After the tortoise coordinate transformation, the Klein-Gordon equation can be written as the standard form at the event horizon. Then extending the outgoing wave from outside to inside of the horizon analytically, the surface gravity and Hawking temperature can be obtained automatically. It is found that the Hawking temperatures of different points on the surface are different. The quantum nonthermal radiation characteristics of a black hole near the event horizon is also discussed by studying the Hamilton-Jacobi equation in curved spacetime and the maximum overlap of the positive and negative energy levels near the event horizon is given. There is a dimensional problem in the standard tortoise coordinate and the present results may be more reasonable.

High-efficiency removal of NO_x using dielectric barrier discharge nonthermal plasma with water as an outer electrode

With the rapid increase in the number of cars and the development of industry, nitrogen oxide （NOx） emissions have become a serious and pressing problem. This work reports on the development of a water-cooled dielectric barrier discharge reactor for gaseous NOx removal at low temperature. The characteristics of the reactor are evaluated with and without packing of the reaction tube with 2 mm diameter dielectric beads composed of glass, ZnO, MnO2, ZrO2, or Fe203. It is found that the use of a water-cooled tube reduces the temperature, which stabilizes the reaction, and provides a much greater NO conversion efficiency （28.8%） than that obtained using quartz tube （14.1%） at a frequency of 8 kHz with an input voltage of 6.8 kV. Furthermore, under equivalent conditions, packing the reactor tube with glass beads greatly increases the NO conversion efficiency to 95.85%. This is because the dielectric beads alter the distribution of the electric field due to the influence of polarization at the glass bead surfaces, which ultimately enhances the plasma discharge intensity. The presence of the dielectric beads increases the gas residence time within the reactor. Experimental verification and a theoretical basis are provided for the industrial application of the proposed plasma NO removal process employing dielectric bead packing.

The quantum nonthermal radiation and horizon surface gravity of an arbitrarily accelerating black hole with electric charge and magnetic charge

Using a new tortoise coordinate transformation,we discuss the quantum nonthermal radiation characteristics near an event horizon by studying the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of a scalar particle in curved space-time,and obtain the event horizon surface gravity and the Hawking temperature on that event horizon.The results show that there is a crossing of particle energy near the event horizon.We derive the maximum overlap of the positive and negative energy levels.It is also found that the Hawking temperature of a black hole depends not only on the time,but also on the angle.There is a problem of dimension in the usual tortoise coordinate,so the present results obtained by using a correct-dimension new tortoise coordinate transformation may be more reasonable.

Microarray Analysis of Transcriptomic Response of <i>Escherichia coli</i>to Nonthermal Plasma-Treated PBS Solution

We developed a technique of generating nonthermal atmospheric plasma-activated solution that had broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. Plasma-activated phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) causes rapid inactivation of bacteria following generation of oxidative stress. However, dose optimization requires understanding of cellular mechanisms. The objective of this study was to explore genome-wise response to develop gene expression profile of Escherichia coli using DNA microarray following exposure to plasma-activated PBS solution. Upon exposure to plasma-treated PBS solution, E. coli cells had differentially expressed genes involved in oxidative stress, and cell envelope and membrane associated porin and transporters. The genes involved in house-keeping and metabolism, energy generation, motility and virulence were conversely downregulated. This is the first report which demonstrates a severe oxidative stress induced in E. coli cells in response to an exposure to nonequilibrium nonthermal dielectric-barrier discharge plasma-activated PBS solution, and the genes that are responsive to reactive oxygen species appeared to play a role in cellular stress. Such studies are important to identify targets of inactivation, and to understand plasma-treated solution and bacterial cell interactions.

The Immunogenic Connection of Thermal and Nonthermal Molecular Effects in Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia in oncology is an emerging complementary therapy. The clinical results depend on multiple conditional factors, like the type of cancer, the stage, the applied treatment device, and the complementary conventional therapy. The molecular effect could also be different depending on the temperature, heating dose, kind of energy transfer, and timing sequences compared to the concomitant treatment. This article examines the molecular impacts of a specific technique used in oncological hyperthermia called modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT). What sets mEHT apart is its emphasis on harnessing the combined effects of thermal and nonthermal factors. Nonthermal energy absorption occurs through the excitation of molecules, while the thermal component ensures the ideal conditions for this process. The applied radiofrequency current selects the malignant cells, and the modulation drives the nonthermal effects to immunogenic cell death, helping to develop tumor-specific antitumoral immune reactions. The synergy of the thermal and nonthermal components excites the lipid-assembled clusters of transmembrane proteins (membrane rafts) as the channels of transient receptor potentials (TRPs), the heat-shock proteins (HSPs), the voltage-gated channels, and the voltage-sensitive phosphatases (VSPs). All these transmembrane compartments channeling various ionic species (like calcium and proton) interact with the cytoskeleton and are involved in the apoptotic signal pathways.

Ion Nonthermality Induced Nonlinear Dust Acoustic Wave Propagation in a Complex Plasma in Presence of Weak Secondary Electron Emission from Dust Grains

In this paper we have investigated the effect of ion nonthermality on nonlinear dust acoustic wave propagation in a complex plasma in presence of weak secondary electron emission from dust grains. Equilibrium dust charge in this case is negative. Dusty plasma under our consideration consists of inertialess nonthermal ions, Boltzman distributed primary and secondary electrons and negatively charged inertial dust grains. Both adiabatic and nonadiabatic dust charge variations have been taken into account. Our analysis shows that in case of adiabatic dust charge variation, at a fixed non-zero ion nonthermality increasing secondary electron emission decreases amplitude and increases width of the rarefied dust acoustic soliton whereas for a fixed secondary electron yield increasing ion nonthermality increases amplitude and decreases width of such rarefied dust acoustic soliton. Thus shape of the soliton may be retained if strength of both the secondary electron yield and the ion nonthermality are increased. Nonadiabatic dust charge variation shows that, at fixed non-zero ion nonthermality, increasing secondary electron emission suppresses oscillation of oscillatory dust acoustic shock at weak nonadiabaticity and pronounces monotonicity of monotonic dust acoustic shock at strong nonadiabaticity. On the other hand at a fixed value of the secondary electron yield, increasing ion nonthermality enhances oscillation of oscillatory dust acoustic shock at weak nonadiabaticity and reduces monotonicity of monotonic dust acoustic shock at strong nonadiabaticity. Thus nature of dust acoustic shock may also remain unchanged if both secondary electron yield and ion nonthermality are increased.

Effect of Electron and/or Ion Nonthermality on Dust Acoustic Wave Propagation in a Complex Plasma in Presence of Positively Charged Dust Grains Generated by Secondary Electron Emission Process

In this paper we have developed a model to study the role of both electron and ion nonthermalities on dust acoustic wave propagation in a complex plasma in presence of positively charged dust grains. Secondary electron emission from dust grains has been considered as the source of positive dust charging. As secondary emission current depends on the flux of primary electrons, nonthermality of primary electrons changes the expression of secondary emission current from that of earlier work where primary electrons were thermal. Expression of nonthermal electron current flowing to the positively charged dust grains and consequently the expression of secondary electron current flowing out of the dust grains have been first time calculated in this paper, whereas the expression for nonthermal ion current flowing to the positively charged dust grains is present in existing literature. Dispersion relation of dust acoustic wave has been derived. From this dispersion relation real frequency and growth rate of the wave have been calculated. Results have been plotted for different strength of nonthermalities of electrons and ions.

High-sensitive nonthermally coupled upconversion for ultralow temperature sensing

Upconversion based nanothermometry has received much attention due to its merits of stability,narrow band emission and rich emission peaks.However,the previous works are mainly focused on the emissions from thermally coupled energy levels which is theoretically limited by Boltzmann distribution theory with resultant low temperature sensitivity in particular at ultralow temperatures.Here we report a LiYF_(4):Yb/Ho@LiYF_(4) core-shell nanostructure to improve the sensitivity at low temperatures by taking advantage of non-thermally coupled energy levels of Ho^(3+).In detail,the green upconversion emission of Ho^(3+)shows an increase with reducing temperature while its red upconversion emission presents a decline during the same process.This is primarily due to the suppression of the non-radiative multiphonon relaxation occurred at the green emitting levels(^(5)F_(4),^(5)S_(2)) and the intermediate level(^(5)I_(6)) at low temperatures.Such a feature contributes to a high relative sensitivity of 7.17%/K at 11 K,much higher than reported values.Our results provide a promising candidate for the development of nanothermometer with high-sensitive low-temperature sensing performance.

Quantum nonthermal effect of the Vaidya-Bonner-de Sitter black hole

Using the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of a scalar particle in the curve space-time and a correct- dimension new tortoise coordinate transformation, the quantum nonthermal radiation of the Vaidya-Bonner-de Sitter black hole is investigated. The energy condition for the occurrence of the Starobinsky-Unruh process is obtained. The event horizon surface gravity and the Hawking temperature on the event horizon are also given.

Cumulative damage by nonthermal plasma exceeds the defense barrier of multiple antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a key to achieve complete inactivation

Objectives:The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nonthermal plasma(NTP)-induced inactivated behaviors on a multiple antibiotic-resistant(MAR)Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus).Materials and Methods:A dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)NTP system was employed for the inactivation of a MAR S.aureus under various applied powers of 35,45,and 55 W,and gas distances of 4,6,and 8 mm.The inactivation kinetics of S.aureus were estimated with linear and nonlinear predictive models.In addition,degradation of carotenoid pigment,peroxidation of fatty acids,oxidation of nucleic acids and proteins,and alteration in gene expression were analyzed after NTP treatment.Results and Discussion:The computationally simulated results indicated that the densities of various reactive species increased with enhanced applied powers and decreased discharge distances.These species were further transformed into reactive oxidative and nitrogen species in the gas-liquid interphase and liquid phase.The oxidative and nitrosative stress of NTP resulted in severe damage to cellular components and the morphological structure of S.aureus.On the other hand,the plasma reactive species could also induce the sublethal injury of S.aureus through upregulating the general stress response,antioxidative and antinitrosative defensive systems.Once the cumulative damages overrode the stress tolerance of S.aureus,the completed cell death was finally achieved by NTP.Conclusions:This work infers the possible risk of inducing the repair and resistant capacity of pathogens when the applied NTP parameters are inappropriate,which helps the optimization of NTP process to achieve sufficient inactivation.

Preclinical Verification of Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia—Part III. Immunogenic Effects

The modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) method is a unique approach that utilizes all the essential apoptotic pathways through an external radiofrequency (RF) signal. The high-frequency RF is amplitude-modulated and coupled capacitively to the target. The provided energy triggers the death receptors and FAS-FADD complexes in the malignant cells. Multi-pathway apoptosis produces immunogenic cell death (ICD). This ICD provides intracellular information about cancer cells by releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP), including membrane expression of calreticulin (CRT) and extracellular ATP, HMGB1, and HSP70, executing tumor-specific antigen presentation. The antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a crucial role in reestablishing immune surveillance and hampering the tumor cells’ ability to hide, thereby evading immune attacks. The matured DCs (generally APCs) produce tumor-specific killer and helper T-cells, which have the potential to be active in distant metastases from the treated location. This unique mechanism of action underscores its potential in cancer treatment and extends the local mEHT treatment to the whole body anticancer therapy with an abscopal effect.

Preclinical Verification of Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia—Part II. In Vivo Research

The treatments of malignant diseases nowadays are rapidly developing. One of the groups of novel therapies applies electromagnetic fields to destroy the malignant lesions. The thermal (heating) and nonthermal (polarization, molecular excitations) processes are combined in novel methods. The non-ionizing energy absorption from the electric field may produce substantial heat, increasing the targeted lesion’s temperature and inducing hyperthermic effects. The modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) uses thermal conditions to optimize and accelerate the chemical reactions induced by the nonthermal excitation of the electric field. The mEHT cooperates with the body’s homeostatic control and harmonizes the mutual efforts to destroy the malignancy. Our objective is to show in vivo proof of the combined complementary electromagnetic impact on various tumors produced by mEHT. Furthermore, we present evidence of the increasing efficacy of the complementary application of mEHT with conventional treatments.

Preclinical Verification of Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia —Part I. In Vitro Research

Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) targets tissue’s natural electric and thermal heterogeneities to heat the cancer cells selectively. The applied 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) is a carrier of the low-frequency modulation. The high-frequency part was chosen to select the malignant lesion using the specialties of the tumor: the higher conductivity and dielectric constant of the tumor than its host. The electric field selects the tumor, and the low-frequency amplitude modulation polarizes and excites the transmembrane proteins of the malignant cells. The dominant absorption of the energy by the microscopic clusters of the membrane rafts acts like nanoparticle heating. Exciting the membrane produces various apoptotic signals. The processes were modeled using silico and phantom experiments, which proved the concept. The preclinical verification was made in vitro and in vivo, and in the end, clinical proofs validated the method. Our objective is to follow all the development steps from the laboratory to the clinics in a trilogy of articles. This present is the first part, which deals with in silico, phantom, and in vitro research.

Pulsed Modulation in Electro-Hyperthermia

Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is one of the novel oncological treatments with many preclinical and clinical results showing its advantages. The basis of the method is the synergy of thermal and nonthermal effects, similar to the thermal action of conventional hyperthermia combined with ionizing radiation (radiotherapy). The electric field and the radiofrequency current produced both the thermal and nonthermal processes. The thermal effects produce the elevated temperature as a thermal background to optimize the nonthermal impacts. The low frequency amplitude modulation ensures accurate targeting and promotes immunogenic cell death to develop the tumor specific memory T cells disrupting the malignant cells by immune surveillance. This process (abscopal effect) works like a vaccination. The low frequency amplitude modulation is combined in the new method with the high power pulses for short time, increasing the tumor distortion ability of the electric field. The new modulation combination has much deeper penetration triplicating the active thickness of the effective treatment. The short pulse absorption increases the safety and decreases the thermal toxicity of the treatment, making the treatment safer. The increased power allows for reduced treatment time with the prescribed dose.

On the Thermal Distribution in Oncological Hyperthermia Treatments

The temperature is one of the principal controlling parameters of oncological hyperthermia. However, local heating forms a complicated thermal distribution in space and has developed over time, too. The decisional factors are the heterogeneity of the targeted volume, the electrolyte perfusions controlled by thermal homeostasis, and the spreading of the heat energy with time. A further complication is that the energy absorption sharply changes by depth, so the spatiotemporal development of the temperature distribution requires specialized methods to control. Most of the temperature imaging facilities (thermography, radiometry, electric impedance tomography, etc.) are less precise than the medical practice needs. In contrast, precise point sensing (like thermocouples, thermistors, and fluoroptical methods) is invasive and measures only a discrete point in the robustly changing thermal map. The two most precise thermal imaging methods, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance are expensive and have numerous technical complications. Our objective is to show the complexity of the temperature distribution inside the human body, and offer a relatively simple and cheap method to visualize its spatiotemporal development. A novel emerging technology, the application of ultrasound microbubble contrast agents is a promising method for solving complicated tasks of thermal distribution deep inside the living body. Noteworthy, the temperature distribution does not determine the full hyperthermia process, nonthermal effects make considerable impact, too. Additionally to the difficulties to measure the thermal heterogeneity during hyperthermia in oncology, numerous nonthermal processes, molecular and structural changes are triggered by the incoming electromagnetic energy, which presently has no spatiotemporal visualization technique. Microbubble imaging has a suitable spatiotemporal thermal resolution, and also it is sensitive to nonthermal effects. Its application for characterization of the modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT) may open a new theranostic facility, using the synergy of the thermal and nonthermal effects of the radiofrequency delivered energy. This complex approach gives facility to follow the mEHT processes, and the proposed microbubble ultrasound imaging has a particularly promising advantage sensing and acting also nonthermally, having potential to characterize the thermally conditioned nonthermal electromagnetic effects in oncologic hyperthermia. The mEHT combined with microbubble ultrasound images could be a robust theranostic method against cancer.

Oncological Hyperthermia: Where to Go from Here?

Oncological hyperthermia is one of the most versatile forms of oncotherapy. It can complement every conventional treatment method and be applied to any tumorous cancer, irrespective of its stages and localization. Numerous technical realizations are conventionally compared by their thermal effect, measured by temperature. However, nonthermal (mainly electric) excitation effects are more recognized nowadays. The technical variants alter the synergy between thermal and nonthermal energy components. Nonthermal energy absorption-induced molecular mechanisms include essential behaviors like selectivity and immunogenicity. The nonthermal electromagnetic effects excite molecular changes, intracellular signals, gene expressions, and many other chemical reactions. Their synergy with thermal conditions is based on the Arrhenius law, which describes the rapid growth of chemical reactions with temperature. A unique technical realization of hyperthermia, modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT) tries to optimize the thermal and nonthermal effects. The results look very perspective, containing the high accuracy of targeting the tumor cells, the immunogenic cell death, and the activation of tumor-specific immune reactions restoring the healthy immune surveillance to destroy the cancer.

NOx Reduction and Desorption Studies Under Electric Discharge Plasma Using a Simulated Gas Mixture:A Case Study on the Effect of Corona Electrodes

In this study, reduction and desorption of oxides of nitrogen （NOx） were conducted using an electrical discharge plasma technique. The study was carried out using a simulated gas mixture to explore the possibility of re-generation of used adsorbents by a nonthermal plasma desorption technique. Three different types of corona electrodes, namely, pipe, helical wire, and straight wire, were used for analyzing their effectiveness in NOx reduction/desorption. The pipe- type corona electrode exhibited a nitric oxide （NO） conversion of 50%, which is 1.5 times that of the straight-wire-type electrode at an energy density of 175 J/L. The helical-wire-type corona electrode exhibited a NOx desorption efficiency almost 4 times that of the pipe-type electrode, indicating the possibility that corona-generated species play a crucial role in desorption.

催化等离子体反应器中低浓度硝基苯的消除(英文)

Oxidative decomposition of dilute nitrobenzene in air was carried out in a catalytic plasma reactor with an inner electrode made of sintered metal fibres(SMF)that also acted as catalyst.The parameters of the concentration,specific input energy,and gas residence time were optimized.The modification of the SMF inner electrode with transition metal oxides like MnOx and CoOx oxides promoted complete oxidation,especially at low input energy.CoOx/SMF showed higher activity than MnOx/SMF and SMF,and could oxidise completely 100 ppm of nitrobenzene at 300 J/L.