Effect of different process conditions on the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of plasma-activated water

The physicochemical properties of plasma-activated water(PAW)generated under different process conditions were investigated,and their changes under different storage conditions were also studied.The results showed that increasing the processing time and power,and decreasing generated water volume,could cause an increase in the redox potential,conductivity,and temperature of PAW,and a decrease in its pH.A slower dissipation of the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in PAW was found on storage at 4℃in a sealed conical flask than on storage at room temperature.The inactivation ability of plasma-activated lactic acid(LA)to Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa)was higher than that of PAW or LA alone under the same experimental conditions.The results of this study may provide theoretical information for the application of PAW as a potential antimicrobial agent in the future.

Constraints on water activity at the Zhurong landing site in Utopia Planitia,Mars

Mineralogical evidence of water–rock interactions is a strong indicator of the presence of liquid water on ancient Mars.Previous observations have found widely distributed hydrated minerals in the southern highlands,whereas such discoveries have been rare in the younger northern lowlands.China’s first Mars exploration mission successfully landed a rover(Zhurong)in southern Utopia Planitia,providing an opportunity to analyze the exposed rocks in the northern lowlands.Using data from the short-wave infrared(SWIR)spectrometer and the laser-induced breakdown spectrometer(LIBS)onboard the Zhurong rover,we found evidence for the widespread presence of hydrated minerals(probably sulfates or silica)around the landing site.The basaltic-like elemental compositions of the targeted samples further indicated that hydrated minerals are likely minor components.The results from Zhurong suggest that active aqueous activities occurred during the overall cold and dry Amazonian era on Mars.However,further evaluations are needed on the duration and scale of these activities.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Dissolved Inorganic Nutrients and Relationship with Phytoplankton Density in Coastal Water of Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia

Coastal areas of Kudat are dominated by fisheries activities. Development of infrastructure for fishing facilities like jetty, landing centre and other human activities can increase the loading of nutrients in coastal area. High load of nutrients accelerates the blooming of phytoplankton and in long run creates eutrophication. This study was conducted to determine the temporal and spatial variations of nutrients and relationship of phytoplankton density in coastal water of Kudat. Five stations were selected with three replicated in the study area. Phytoplankton samples, water samples and in situ environmental parameters were collected from May 2019 to February 2020 (10 months). The highest concentration of nitrate (NO3) was observed in May 2019, but the highest concentration of phosphate (PO4) observed in July 2019. On the other hand, higher concentrations of phosphate (PO4) were determined than the concentration of nitrate (NO3) in all stations during study period. The distribution of nutrients is due to monsoonal runoff from surrounding areas as well due to anthropogenic activities. Among the 21 species three of them are from harmful algal species and but dominated by diatoms. Poor relationship observed among the dissolved inorganic nutrients and phytoplankton density, indicates that the relationship does not depend on only nutrients but with favourable environmental parameters. Anthropogenic activity can lead to excessive load of nutrients in Kudat coastal water and in long run cause eutrophication problem in ecosystem with potentially larger economic impacts in a long run period.

Influence of Composite Phosphate Inorganic Antibacterial Materials Containing Rare Earth on Activated Water Property of Ceramics

Antibacterial ceramic was prepared by doping enamel slurry with composite phosphate inorganic antibacterial materials containing rare earth (inorganic antibacterial additives), and then the mechanisms for activating water and improving seed germinative property were tested by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the method of testing oxygen dissolved in activated water. Results show that the half peak width of (()^(17)O-NMR) for tap water activated by the antibacterial ceramic drops from 115.36 to 99.15 Hz, and oxygen concentrations of activated water increase by 20%, germinate rate of horsebean and earthnut seeds increases by 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Therefore antibacterial ceramic doped enamel slurry with inorganic antibacterial additives containing rare earth can reduce the volume of clusters of water molecules, improve activation of tap water, and promote plant seeds germinate.

Analysis of insidious fault activation and water inrush from the mining floor

Based on the stress field distribution rule of the mining floor under abutment pressure, we have established a simplified mechanical model, which contains multiple factors relating to activation and evolution of insidious water-conductive faults. The influence of normal and shear stresses on fault activation and effective shear stress distribution in the fault plane was acquired under mining conditions.Using fracture mechanics theory to calculate the stress intensity factor of an insidious fault front, we have derived the criterion for main fault activation. Results indicate that during the whole working face advance, transpressions are exerted on fault planes twice successively in opposite directions. In most cases, the second transpression is more likely to lead to fault activation. Activation is influenced by many factors, predominant among which are: burial depth of the insidious fault, friction angle of the fault plane, face advance direction and pore water pressure. Steep fault planes are more easily activated to induce a sustained water inrush in the face.

Prediction of Water Activity for Mixed Aqueous Solutions from the Data of Their Binary Constituent Solutions

The equation of Patwardhan and Kumar for water activities of mixed electrolyte solutions is extended to aqueous solutions containing non-electrolytes. This equation and the linear isopiestic relation are used to predict water activities of 56 ternary aqueous solutions in terms of the data of their binary subsystems. Both equation of Patwardhan and Kumar and the linear isopiestic relation can provide good predictions for water activities of the present 40 electrolyte solutions, and the linear isopiestic relation generally yields better predictions. The predictions of the extended equation of Patwardhan and Kumar and the linear isopiestic relation are in general quite reasonable for the present 8 ternary solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes, and the results of the linear isopiestic relation are usually better. The predictions of these two methods generally agree well with the experimental data for the 8 non-electrolyte mixtures being studied, and the linear isopiestic relation is better.

Rice plant growth and yield: foliar application of plasma activated water

Plasma activated water(PAW)was prepared for 10 min to be applied one tofive times as a foliar spray to rice plants,to investigate plant growth,yield and the concentrations of total soluble protein and sugar in the rice grains produced.The results reveal that(1)the plant height,stem diameter,dry weight,chlorophyll and total carotene concentrations were improved by∼15%,∼25%,∼24%,∼47%and∼45%,respectively,with respect to control,(2)defense mechanisms of the plants treated with PAW were improved,(3)concentrations of total soluble protein and sugar were enhanced in the rice grains of PAW treated plants and(4)yield was increased by∼14%.

Prediction of Water Activities in Multicomponent Solutions of Metal Chlorides from the Thermodynamic Properties of Corresponding Binary Systems

In order to calculate the activity coefficients of water in aqueous solution of metal electrolytes, a simplified model predicting them in ternary or multicomponent solutions with common anions from the activity data of water of the corresponding binary systems has been developed based on an assumption that the electrolytes in the solution are treated as independent particles instead of their ion forms, and the interaction of the salt( i ) salt( j ) pair in the solution is assumed to be much weaker than that of water salt pair due to the common anions of both of salts. The model was applied to the systems such as KCl H 2O NaCl, MCl H 2O M′Cl 2 (M represents Na and K, M′ represents Ca and Ba) and KCl H 2O NaCl BaCl 2 with satisfying results. The interchange energies of the studied component pairs between water and salts have also been determined by the corresponding binary aqueous solutions.

Standardization of Tritium Water by TDCR Method

The triple-to-double coincidence ratio （TDCR） method of liquid scintillation count- ing is an absolute measurement method of radioactivity. The formulation of the TDCR method and the established TDCR liquid scintillation counter are presented in this paper. The NIST standard reference material （SRM） of tritium water was measured to verify the performance of the TDCR liquid scintillation counter.

A simplified adsorption model for water vapor adsorption on activated carbon

A simplified model was developed to describe the water vapor adsorption on activated carbon. The development of the simplified model was started from the original model proposed by DO and his co-workers. Two different kinds of carbon materials were prepared for water vapor adsorption, and the adsorption experiments were conducted at different temperatures(20-50 °C) and relative humidities(5%-99%) to test the model. It is shown that the amount of adsorbed water vapor in micropore decreases with the temperature increasing, and the water molecules form larger water clusters around the functional group as the temperature is up to a higher value. The simplified model describes reasonably well for all the experimental data. According to the fitted values, the parameters of simplified model were represented by the temperature and then the model was used to calculate the water vapor adsorption amount at 25 °C and 35 °C. The results show that the model can get relatively accurate values to calculate the water vapor adsorption on activated carbon.

Experimental Research on the Sterilization of Escherichia Coli and Bacillus Subtilis in Drinking Water by Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The bactericidal effect on the representative type of Gram-negative Escherichia coli（E.coli） and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis in drinking water was investigated in this paper by using dielectric barrier discharge（DBD） advanced oxidation technology.The sterilizing rates under different conditions of reaction time t,input voltage V,p H value,and initial concentration of bacteria C_0 were investigated to figure out the optimum sterilization conditions.Our observations and comparisons of cell morphology alteration by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the sterilization mechanisms.The results showed that the sterilizing rate increased obviously with the extension of reaction time t and the rise of input voltage V.The optimal sterilization effect was achieved when the p H value was 7.1.As the initial concentration of bacteria rose,the sterilizing rate decreased.When the input voltage was 2.2 k V and the initial concentration of bacteria was relatively low,the sterilizing rate almost reached 100% after a certain treatment time in neutral aqueous solution.The reasons for the great damage of cell structure and the killing of bacteria are the oxidation of O_3,OH and the accumulation of active species produced by DBD.The article provides a certain theoretical and experimental basis for DBD application in water pollution treatment.

Potential Renaturalisation of Lakes as An Element Building Up Water Resources： An Example of Mosina Lake, Poland

Water deficits observed in many regions of the world make it necessary to implement measures intended to improve this situation. Poland is one of the countries with the poorest water resources in Europe due to its natural conditions and human impact. As a result of land reclamation carried out over decades, many elements of its hydrographic system have been changed, and some of them, like lakes, have disappeared altogether. In the days of the socio-economic transformation and more frequent extreme events, what seems worth considering is the renaturalisation of non-existing lakes, an idea presented in this paper on a selected example.

Molecular mechanism study of Astragalus adsurgens Pall synergistically induced by plasma and plasma-activated water

The mutagenic effects of discharge plasma and plasma+PAW(plasma and its activated water combined) on Astragalus adsurgens Pall seeds were explored. Needle array-plate dielectric-barrier discharge plasma was used to treat A. adsurgens Pall seeds and PAW was prepared at the same time.The deionized water and the obtained PAW were used to cultivate plasma-treated seeds in groups and the survival rate of each group was counted. Results showed that the survival rate of the treated seeds of A. adsurgens Pall when cultured with deionized water was not significantly different from that of the control check(CK). The culture with PAW had an obvious lethal effect and each group reached the half-lethal dose. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) and RNA-Seq analysis of seedlings in the 3 h treatment group showed that the content of ROS in the 3 d post-treatment group was significantly higher than that of the CK. Because expression of the gene with the function of scavenging superoxide free radicals was upregulated, the ROS content of seedlings on the sixth day was significantly lower than that on the third day. Plasma and plasma+PAW treatments changed a large number of gene expressions;particularly, the plasma+PAW group caused plant-growth genes to be significantly upregulated. After treatment, the seedlings of A. adsurgens Pall may grow faster and have higher nutritional value. This research is of great significance to the wider application of isoelectronic bodies and their activated water physicochemical mutagens in biological effects and breeding research.

Plasma activated water prepared by different plasma sources:physicochemical properties and decontamination effect on lentils sprouts

The pulsed corona discharge(CD)generated in contact with water and directly in water,and high-power air plasma jet(APJ)were studied for production of plasma activated water(PAW).The changes of physical(pH,redox potential,conductivity,temperature)and chemical(peroxides,nitrites,nitrates concentrations)properties of treated water were investigated.The comparison of CD generated in gas/water interface and underwater configuration in the same system showed that the interaction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formed in ambient air in gas/water system induces different chemical processes,leading to lower pH,higher oxidation-reduction potential(ORP)and higher conductivity of PAW than in underwater discharge.High yield of peroxide was observed in both configurations.The PAW prepared by APJ exhibits high concentration of nitrites and nitrates according to supplied energy,and related significant decrease of pH and increase of ORP and conductivity after treatment.The antimicrobial effect of PAW prepared by CD and plasma jet on lentils sprouts was studied in different treatment and washing times.The APJ appears to have great efficacy on water activation resulted in strong decontamination effect.The PAW treated by APJ for 10 min led to bacterial reduction from initial 8.3 to 5.9 and 4.0 log10 CFU g^(-1)after 10 and 30 min of washing,respectively.

Oxygen Fugacity and Water Activity during Thermal Peak and Retrogression of Granulites around the Sarvapuram Area, Karimnagar Granulite Terrane, Andhra Pradesh, India

The investigated area around Sarvapuram represents a part of the Karimnagar granulite terrane of the Eastern Dharwar Craton, India. Garnet–bearing gneiss is hosted as enclaves, pods within granite gneiss and charnockite. It is largely made up of garnet, orthopyroxene, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase, K–feldspar, sillimanite and quartz. The peak metamorphic stage is represented by the equilibrium mineral assemblage i.e. garnet, orthopyroxene, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase, sillimanite and quartz. Breakdown of the garnet as well as preservation of the orthopyroxene–cordierite symplectite, formation of cordierite with the consumption of the garnet + sillimanite + quartz represents the decompressional event. The thermobarometric calculations suggest a retrograde P–T path with a substantial decompression of c. 3.0 kbar. The water activity(XH2 O) conditions obtained with the win TWQ program for core and symplectite compositions from garnet–bearing gneiss are 0.07–0.14 and 0.11–0.16 respectively. The quantitative estimation of oxygen fugacity in garnet–bearing gneiss reveal log f O2 values ranging from-11.38 to-14.05. This high oxidation state could be one of the reasons that account for the absence of graphite in these rocks.

Effect of Fertilizer Diammonium Phosphate on Liver,Kidney and Muscle 5-Nucleotidase Activity of Fresh Water Teleost Fish Clarias batrachus

The toxic effect of fertilizer Diammonium phosphate resulted in alterations of 5'-Nucleotidase activity of tissues liver, kidney and muscles offish C. batrachus at varying intervals and exposures. Alterations in 5'-Nuclcotidase activity of body organs gave an idea of the toxicity caused by the fertilizer. Thus the enzyme 5'-Nucleotidase can be used to monitor the pollution in aquatic ecosystem.

CARBOXYMETHYLPACHYMAN(Ⅰ),A NEW WATER SOLUBLE POLYSACCHARIDE WITH MARKED ANTITUMOUR ACTIVITY

Carboxymethylpachyman(Ⅰ)was formed by carboxymethylation of β-pachyman.The antitumour activity of carboxymethylpachyman(Ⅰ)against S_(180)、EAC、 MA、U_(14)was measured.The structure of carboxymethylpachyman(Ⅰ)was proved by IR ^(13)CNMR spectroscopy.

Water sorption isotherms of globe artichoke leaves

One third of the artichoke production is used in industrial processes, where up to 70% - 85% of the initial raw material is transformed into solid wastes. For an adequate management of these wastes, it is necessary to know their water sorption properties, because physical, chemical andbiological changes which occur during theirstorage depend on water-solid interactions. The objectives of this work are to experimentally determine equilibrium sorption (adsorption anddesorption) data of artichoke wastes at different temperatures (25°C - 55°C), as well as correlate and predict water sorption isotherms using bibliographic models. Equilibrium moisture content ranged 0 - 0.6 kg water/kg dry solid (water activity 0.05 - 0.9). Water sorption isotherms were classified between Types II and III. Hysteresis phenomenon was not observed, neither was the dependence of the equilibrium data with temperature. BET, GAB, Oswin and Peleg correlation models were satisfactorily fitted to experimental data. A predictive model based on composition and physical state of artichoke waste components was also successfully used to reproduce experimental data.

Tuning electrochemical water activation over NiIr single-atom alloy aerogels for stable electrochemiluminescence

The anodic oxygen evolution reaction is a well-acknowledged side reaction in traditional aqueous electrochemiluminescence(ECL) systems due to the generation and surface aggregation of oxygen at the electrode, which detrimentally impacts the stability and efficiency of ECL emission. However, the effect of reactive oxygen species generated during water oxidation on ECL luminophores has been largely overlooked. Taking the typical luminol emitter as an example, herein, we employed NiIr single-atom alloy aerogels possessing efficient water oxidation activity as a prototype co-reaction accelerator to elucidate the relationship between ECL behavior and water oxidation reaction kinetics for the first time. By regulating the concentration of hydroxide ions in the electrolyte, the electrochemical oxidation processes of both luminol and water are finely tuned. When the concentration of hydroxide ions in electrolyte is low,the kinetics of water oxidation is attenuated, which limits the generation of oxygen, effectively mitigates the influence of oxygen accumulation on the ECL strength, and offers a novel perspective for harnessing side reactions in ECL systems. Finally, a sensitive and stable sensor for antioxidant detection was constructed and applied to the practical sample detection.

An Assessment of Land Cover Change in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria

The paper assessed the land cover change in Gashaka-Gumti National Park between 1991 and 2021. To achieve this, LandSat data of years 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 were obtained from the United States Geological Survey online resource. The findings of the study revealed that there is decrease in the different land cover types over time as a result of anthropogenic activities of the enclave dwellers. The study observed that the continuous existence of enclaves within and around the Park constitutes a serious threat to the survival of the Park. The study recommended that the federal government should consider resettlement of the enclave dwellers to give way for the development of the Park.