The Effect of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Corona Discharge on pH, Lipid Content and DNA of Bacterial Cells

Effect of plasma corona discharges on the pH, whole cell lipids and DNA of bacteria is investigated. Results showed an increase in the acidity levels of water due to plasma reactive species which, however, were not responsible for bacterial cell death. No changes in the whole cell lipid contents were observed, while DNA after plasma treatment showed deterioration of the amplified sequences, indicating the possible occurrence of DNA degradation. In conclusion, reactive species produced by plasma discharges affects DNA, possibly contributing to cell death.

Sustainable Mangement of Drainage Water of Fish Farms in Agriculture as a New Source for Irrigation and Bio-Source for Fertilizing

Two field experiments were carried out during growing seasons 2011 and 2012. It was executed in research farm of National Research Center in Nubaryia region, Egypt to study the effect of irrigation systems, fertigation rates by using the wastewater of fish farms “WWFF” in irrigation of potato. Study factors were irrigation systems (sprinkler irrigation system “SIS” and trickle irrigation system “TIS”), water quality (traditional irrigation water “TIW” and WWFF) and fertigation rates “FR” (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% NPK). The following parameters were studied to evaluate the effect of study factors: 1) Calculating the total amount of WWFF per season;2) Chemical and biological description of WWFF;3) Clogging ratio of emitters;4) Yield of potato;5) Irrigation water use efficiency of potato “IWUEpotato”. Statistical analysis indicated that, maximum values were obtained of yield under SIS × FR100% NPK × WWFF, also, there were no significant differences for yield values under the following conditions: SIS × FR100% NPK × WWFF > SIS × FR80% NPK × WWFF > SIS × FR60% NPK × WWFF > TIS × FR100% NPK × TIW. This means that, using WWFF in the irrigation can save at least 40% from mineral fertilizers and 100% from irrigation water under sprinkler irrigation system.

Synergistic nano-tribological interaction between zinc dialkyldithiophosphate(ZDDP)and methyl oleate for biodiesel-fueled engines

In biodiesel-fueled compression-ignition(CI)engines,dilution by unburned biodiesel has been found to have adverse effects on the boundary lubrication properties of additives in fully formulated engine lubricants.Such dilution of engine lubricants could be even more pronounced for CI engines running on higher blend concentrations of biodiesel.Given the nanoscopic nature of the interaction,this study seeks to determine the nano-tribological properties of an engine lubricant additive(e.g.,zinc dialkyldithiophosphate(ZDDP))when diluted with a fatty acid methyl ester(e.g.,methyl oleate).Using lateral force microscopy(LFM)together with a fluid imaging technique,the lowest nanoscopic friction forces and coefficient of friction values(0.068-0.085)were measured for ZDDP when diluted with 70 vol%of methyl oleate.These values are also observed to be lower than those measured for neat ZDDP and neat methyl oleate,respectively,under similar conditions.Subsequently,interpreting the data with the Eyring thermal activation energy approach,it could then be elucidated that the lower frictional losses observed for the contact lubricated with this volumetric mixture are a result of the lower potential energy barrier and activation energy required to initiate sliding.These energy values are approximated to be 2.6%and 28.9%(respectively)lower than that of the contact lubricated with neat ZDDP.It was also found that the mixture,at this volumetric concentration,possesses the highest possible pressure activation energy(load-carrying capacity)along with the lowest possible shear activation energy(shearing),potentially indicating optimum tribological conditions for boundary lubrication.Thus,the findings of this study suggest that an optimum concentration threshold exists in which a synergistic nano-tribological interaction between additives and fatty acid methyl esters can be attained,potentially reducing boundary frictional losses of lubricated conjunctions.Such findings could prove to be essential in effectively formulating synergistic additive concentrations for engine lubricants used in biodiesel-fueled CI engines.