In this paper, we study the weak deflection angle using Gauss-Bonnet theorem and bounding greybody factor for electric and magnetic black holes in the background of nonlinear electrodynamics. Using Gibbons and Werner's approach, first we acquire the Gaussian optical curvature to use in Gauss-Bonnet theorem and calculate the bending angle for spherically symmetric electric and magnetic black holes in both non-plasma and plasma mediums in the weak field limits. Later, we calculate the rigorous bounds of the greybody factor for the given black holes. Furthermore, we look into the graphical behaviour of bending angles and greybody bounds at some specific values of multiple parameters as well as black holes charges. It is to be mention here that all the results for the electric and magnetic charged black holes solutions reduce into the Schwarzschild black hole solution in the absence of the black holes charges.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the weak deflection angle of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity in the presence of plasma medium. To attain our results, we implement the Gibbons and Werner approach and use the Gauss-Bonnet theorem to Einstein gravity to acquire the resulting deflection angle of photon's ray in the weak field limit. Moreover, we illustrate the behavior of plasma medium and non-plasma mediums on the deflection of photon's ray in the framework of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. Similarly, we observe the graphical influences of deflection angle on Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity with the consideration of both plasma and non-plasma mediums. Later, we observe the rigorous bounds phenomenon of the greybody factor in contact with Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity and calculate the outcomes, analyze graphically for specific values of parameters.

We present a unified approach to the thermodynamics of hadron-quark-gluon matter at finite temperatures on the basis of a quark cluster expansion in the form of a generalized Beth-Uhlenbeck approach with a generic ansatz for the hadronic phase shifts that fulfills the Levinson theorem. The change in the composition of the system from a hadron resonance gas to a quark-gluon plasma takes place in the narrow temperature interval of 150−185 MeV where the Mott dissociation of hadrons is triggered by the dropping quark mass as a result of the restoration of chiral symmetry. The deconfinement of quark and gluon degrees of freedom is regulated by the Polyakov loop variable that signals the breaking of the Z(3) center symmetry of the color SU(3) group of QCD. We suggest a Polyakov-loop quark-gluon plasma model with O(αs) virial correction and solve the stationarity condition of the thermodynamic potential (gap equation) for the Polyakov loop. The resulting pressure is in excellent agreement with lattice QCD simulations up to high temperatures.

Impact of the Corona, dielectric barrier discharge and low pressure radiofrequency air plasmas on the chemical composition and wettability of the medical grade polyvinylchloride was investigated. Corona plasma treatment exerted the most pronounced increase in the hydrophilization of polyvinylchloride. The specific energy of adhesion of the pristine and plasma treated PVC tubing is reported. The kinetics of hydrophobic recovery following the plasma treatment was explored. The time evolution of the apparent contact angle under the hydrophobic recovery is satisfactorily described by the exponential fitting. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of the chemical composition of the near-surface layers of the plasma treated catheters revealed their oxidation. The effect of the hydrophobic recovery is hardly correlated with oxidation of the polymer surface, which is irreversible.

We assessed if there were any sex-related differences in the ability of nicotine to increase plasma corticosterone secretion after single or repeated nicotine administration. For single-dose studies, male and female mice were habituated to the test room for 1 h and injected with saline or nicotine (0.25 or 1 mg/kg, s.c.). In repeated-dosing studies, mice were injected with saline or nicotine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) once daily for six days, and, on day 7, received nicotine (1 mg/kg, s.c.). The mice were euthanized 15 min later, and trunk blood was collected for the measurement of corticosterone, nicotine, and cotinine. Our results showed that saline or nicotine each significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels in both male and female mice, with a greater response in female mice. Plasma corticosterone levels were increased in male but not female mice after repeated compared to single nicotine administration. The level of cotinine, a biomarker of nicotine use, was significantly higher in female than in male mice. Taken together, these novel findings suggest that female mice responded to nicotine and stress of handling more than male mice and provide for the first-time quantitative data on the male-female differences in nicotine-induced elevations of corticosterone and of cotinine.

The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people and caused tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is lacking and different therapeutic strategies are under testing. Host humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection is a critical determinant for patients’ outcome. SARS-CoV-2 infection results in seroconversion and production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The antibodies may suppress viral replication through neutralization but also might also participate in COVID-19 pathogenesis through a process termed antibody-dependent enhancement. Rapid progress has been made in the research of antibody response and therapy in COVID-19 patients including characterization of the clinical features of antibody responses in different populations infected by SARS-CoV-2, treatment of COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma and intravenous immunoglobin products, isolation and characterization of a large panel of monoclonal neutralizing antibodies, as well as preliminary clinical results from several COVID-19 vaccine candidates. In this review, we summarize the recent progress and discuss the implications of these findings in vaccine development.

We report the negative effective mass metamaterials based on the electro-mechanical coupling exploiting plasma oscillations of a free electron gas. The negative mass appears as a result of vibration of a metallic particle with a frequency of ω which is close to the frequency of the plasma oscillations of the electron gas m_2 relatively to the ionic lattice m_1. The plasma oscillations are represented with the elastic spring k_2=ω_p^2 m_2, where ω_p is the plasma frequency. Thus, the metallic particle vibrated with the external frequency ω is described by the effective mass m_eff=m_1+(m_2 ω_p^2)/(ω_p^2-ω^2 ) , which is negative when the frequency ω approaches ω_p from above. The idea is exemplified with two conducting metals, namely Au and Li embedded into various matrices. The one-dimensional lattice built of the identical metallic micro-elements m_eff connected by ideal springs k_1 representing various media such as polydimethylsiloxane and soda-lime glass is treated. The optical and acoustical branches of longitudinal modes propagating through the lattice are elucidated for various ratios ω_1/ω_p . The 1D lattice built of the thin metallic wires giving rise to the low frequency plasmons is treated. The possibility of the anti-resonant propagation, strengthening the effect of the negative mass occurring under  = p = 1 is addressed.

Porosity in plasma sprayed coatings is vital for most engineering applications. It is either advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the functionality of the coating and the immediate working environment. Consequently, the formation mechanisms and development of porosity has been extensively explored to find out modes of controlling porosity in plasma sprayed coatings. In this work, a comprehensive review of porosity on plasma sprayed coatings is established. The formation and development of porosity on plasma sprayed coatings are governed by set spraying parameters. Optimized set spraying parameters have been used to achieve the most favorable coatings with minimum defects. Even with the optimized set spraying parameters, defects like porosity still occur. Here, we discuss other ways that can be used to control porosity in plasma sprayed coating with emphasis to atmospheric plasma sprayed chromium oxide coatings. Techniques like multi-layer coatings, nano-structured coatings, doping with rare earth elements, laser surface re-melting and a combination of the above methods have been suggested in adjusting porosity. The influences of porosity on properties of plasma sprayed coatings and the measurement methods of porosity have also been reviewed.

The motivation of this work is to investigate experimentally the influence of non-thermal plasma (NTP) application on the reaction kinetics of atmospheric pressure steam gasification of charcoal using a thermostatically controlled drop tube reactor. A gliding-arc generator provides about 1 kW electrical power NTP. For comparison thermal gasification is investigated under comparable flow and specific energy input conditions providing additional heat to the steam. Optical temperature measurement 20 cm flow down of the NTP zone is utilized to characterize the specific enthalpy of the reactive flow. The composition of produced syngas is measured by a gas analyzer and used for the calculation of gas flow rates. The results show a NTP-enhancement on the production of individual syngas components (H2, CO, CH4), especially on hydrogen production by around 39%. The syngas-based carbon conversion and hydrogen release are calculated from the carbon and hydrogen balance between the correspondent content in syngas and in the feedstock. The NTP promoted the carbon conversion and hydrogen release by 25% and 31%, respectively. The first-order reaction kinetics are determined by data-fitting in an Arrhenius diagram. The plasma enhanced the reaction rate coefficients by 27%. Based on experimental results and other literature, possible plasma-induced reactions are proposed.

The demand for suspensions used in thermal spray processes is expanding from research labs using the lab-prepared suspensions toward actual coating production in different industrial sectors. Industrial applications dictate reduced production time and effort which may in turn justify the development of the market for ready-to-use commercial suspensions. To this end, some of the powder suppliers have already taken steps forward by introducing to the market suspensions of some of the most used materials such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), alumina and titania. There is, however, a need to compare the suspension characteristics over time and the resultant coatings when using these suspensions as compared with the freshly prepared home-made suspensions. In this work, such comparison is done using YSZ suspensions of the sub-micron to a few micron powders. In addition, some changes in the suspensions' formula were performed as a tool to vary the coatings’ microstructures in a more predictable way, without variation of spray parameters. The coatings were generated using both radial and axial injection of the suspensions into Oerlikon-Metco 3MB and Mettech Axial III plasma spray torches, respectively. A clear effect of suspension viscosity on the coating microstructure was observed using the 3MB torch with radial injection of suspension (i.e. cross flow atomization). The viscosity role, however, was not dominant when using the Axial III torch with axial feed injection system (i.e. coaxial flow atomization).

For a given set of plasma parameters, along a single series (Lyman, Balmer etc) the lines with higher principal quantum number(n) lines get progressively wider, closer to each other, and start merging for a certain critical n. In the present work four different codes(with further options) are used to calculate the entire Balmer series for moderate and high electron densities. Particular attention is paid to the relevant physics, such as the cutoff criteria, strong and penetrating electron collisions.

The Review examines studies aimed at the organization of energy (non-mechanical) control of high-speed flow/flight using spatially multi-component plasma structures and combined energy deposition. The Review covers selected works on experimental obtaining and numerical modeling multi-component plasma structures and use of sets of actuators based on the plasma of such a spatially type for the purposes of control of shock wave/bow shock wave – energy source interaction, as well as control of shock wave – boundary layer interaction. A series of works on repetitive multiple laser pulse plasma structures is also analyzed from the point of view of examining shock wave/bow shock wave boundary layer interaction. Self-sustained theoretical models for laser dual-pulse, multi-mode laser pulses and self-sustained glow discharge are also considered. Separate sections are devoted to high-speed flow control using combined physical phenomena and numerical prediction of flow control possibilities using thermal longitudinally layered plasma structures. The wide possibilities for organization and applying spatially multi-component structured plasma for the purposes of high-speed flow control are demonstrated.

New multilayer 3D nanocomposite wear-resistant ion-plasma hard and superhard coatings Avinit [(TiN-AlN)(Mo-Cr-V-Si)]_n have been developed.The introduction of additional alloying elements (Mo, Cr, V, Si) into the Ti-Al-N coating composition, which have a high affinity for nitrogen and are capable of forming strong nitride nanoparticles in the Ti-N and Al-N layers.This makes it possible to obtain hard and superhard hardening coatings.The metallographic and tribological studies carried out indicate the prospects of the developed multicomponent multilayer nano- and microstructured Avinit coatings for increasing wear resistance and reducing friction coefficients.This paper is devoted to the development and implementation of Avinit vacuum plasma technologies for strengthening cutting and forming tools to improve tool performance.Production tests of cutting tools with Avinit's developed multilayer wear-resistant ion-plasma coatings in production conditions at many large machine-building enterprises have shown their high efficiency.In serial production, the wear resistance of tools increases by 3 to 30 times, stamps by 5 to 100 times, and parts rubbing against abrasive materials by 10 to 100 times.Avinit's vacuum plasma technologies have been successfully implemented in production in the aggregate and engine building, transport engineering, and power engineering industries.Positive experience in applying multicomponent coatings has been gained not only when applying hardening coatings to manufactured cutting tools, but also after regrinding to regrindable carbide cutting tools from domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Tellurium exhibits exceptional intrinsic electronic properties. However, investigations into the modulation of tellurium's electronic properties through physical modification are notably scarce. Here, we present a comprehensive study focused on the evolution of the electronic properties of tellurium crystal flakes under plasma irradiation treatment by employing conductive atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The plasma-treated tellurium experienced a process of defect generation through lattice broken. Prior to the degradation of electronic transport performance due to plasma irradiation treatment, a remarkable observation emerged: in the low-energy region of hydrogen plasma-treated tellurium, a notable enhancement in conductivity was unexpectedly detected. The mechanism underlying this enhancement in electronic transport performance was thoroughly elucidated by comparing it with the electronic structure induced by argon plasma irradiation. This study not only fundamentally uncovers the effects of plasma irradiation on tellurium crystal flakes, but also unearths an unprecedented trend of enhanced electronic transport performance at low irradiation energies when utilizing hydrogen plasma. This abnormal trend bears significant implications for guiding the prospective application of tellurium-based 2D materials in the realm of electronic devices.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging tobamovirus infecting tomatoes and peppers. Due to its ability to trigger seed contamination, efficient mechanical transmission, and to break the popular resistance genes (Tm-1, Tm-2 and Tm-22), the virus has resulted in a global pandemic on greenhouse tomato production in recent years despite the implementation of strict hygiene and disinfection measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether ToBRFV can be transmissible through recirculating hydroponic systems and search for effective approach to contain its spread under such circumstances. We not only detected the presence of ToBRFV in the runoff water solutions collected from ToBRFV-infected tomato greenhouses, but also demonstrated the infectivity of detected virus through initiating ToBRFV infection on tomato plants using bioassay. We then conducted treatment using cold plasma-generated ozone on ToBRFV-contaminated water reservoir and further assessed the efficacy of the treatment to inac-tivate the virus. Results showed the effectiveness of the cold-plasma ozone treatment was de-pendent on the ozone concentrations (0.1 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L), the periods of exposure (24 min to 72 min), and the relative virus titers (1:100 to 1:10,000 - dilution of virus-infected tissue extract), demonstrating the cold-plasma ozone treatment could offer a promising solution to cope with the potential ToBRFV spread through a recirculating hydroponic system in a greenhouse.

The investigation of plasma channels induced by focused ultra-short 1030-nm laser pulses in bulk of synthetic HPHT diamond revealed strong dependence of their size and shape on the used numerical aperture of the lens (NA=0.15-0.45). It was shown that at loose focusing conditions, it is possible to significantly increase the length of the plasma channel with a slight increase in pulse power, while tight focusing allows to obtain more compact structures in the same range of used powers. Such dependence paves the way to new possibilities in 3D processing of transparent dielectrics, allowing, for example, to vary the spatial parameters of modified regions without changing the setup, but only by controlling the lens aperture, which seems very promising for industrial applications.

Solid spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants has 3.4% fission products (80-160amu), contributing to over 99.8% radioactivity. On the other hand, liquid high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) from spent fuel reprocessing has 98.9% bulk elements (0-60amu) with 0.1% radioactivity. A separation mechanism on the mass categories as groups presents unique opportunities in managing HLRW for the long term with a considerable cost reduction. This paper proposes a thermal plasma-based separation system incorporating atmospheric pressure plasma torches for HLRW mass separation into low-resolution mass groups. Several engineering issues, such as waste preparation, waste injection into the plasma and waste collecting after mass separation, need to be addressed. Using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation, the generic system can be studied using noble gas mass separation and further analyze the mass filter capabilities. This paper provides the history of plasma-based mass separation. Functional modelling of a thermal plasma mass separation system is proposed under atmospheric pressure. Finally, aspects of mass separation simulation using noble gas Argon and Helium inside the plasma mass separation system were studied in COMSOL Multiphysics.

Femtosecond laser-induced fluorescence (FLIF) and femtosecond laser-induced optical breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS) are important tools for remote diagnostics of atmospheric aerosols using LiDAR techniques. They are based on light emission excitation in disperse medium via the multiphoton nonlinear processes in aerosol particles induced by high-power optical pulses. To date, the main challenge restraining the large-scale application of the FLIF and FIBS in atmospheric studies is the lack of valued theory of the stimulated light emission in liquid microparticles with sufficiently broad range of sizes. In this paper, we fill this gap and present the theoretical model of dye water droplets emission under high-intense laser exposure that adequately simulates the processes of multiphoton excited fluorescence and optical breakdown plasma emission in microparticles and gives quantitative estimates of the angular and power characteristics of the nonlinear emission. The model is based on the numerical solution to the inhomogeneous Helmholtz equations for the stimulating (primary) and nonlinear (secondary) waves provided by the random nature of molecule emission in particles. We show that droplet fluorescence stimulated by the multiphoton absorption generally becomes more intensive with increasing particle size. Moreover, far-field plasma emission from liquid particles demonstrates larger angular diversity when changing droplet radius in comparison with the multiphoton excited fluorescence, which is mainly due to the excitation of the internal optical field resonances in spherical particles.

In this work, we study gravitational lensing in the weak field limits and the shadow by charged black holes in non-linear electrodynamics corrections. To find the deflection angle in vacuum (non-plasma) up to the leading order terms, we compute the optical Gaussian curvature from optical metric and utilize the Gauss-Bonnet theorem by applying Gibbons and Werner’s technique. Also, we derive the bending angle in plasma and dark matter mediums and observe that the bending angle increases by increasing the effects of these mediums. Further, in vacuum and plasma mediums, we investigate the graphical behavior of the bending angle with respect to the impact parameter u and notice that the bending angle exponentially decreases. Moreover, we calculate the Hawking temperature using the Gauss-Bonnet theorem and compare it with a standard method of computing the Hawking temperature. Furthermore, we investigate the bound of the greybody factor and graphically examine that bound converges to the 1. We relate our obtained results with the results of black holes given in the literature. Finally, we have considered exploring the effect of NLED, plasma, and dark matter on the black hole’s shadow radius to broaden the study’s scope. Results for the shadow indicate that the three parameters give different deviations to the shadow radius. Interestingly, while plasma affects both the photonsphere and shadow, dark matter only influences the shadow.

The interfacial interface between the fibers and the matrix plays a key role for epoxy matrix composites and short recycled randomly arranged fibres. This study used short recycled carbon fiber (RCF) as a filler. Plasma treatment was used for carbon fiber surface treatment. This treat-ment was performed using radio (RF) and microwave (MW) frequencies at the same pressure and atmosphere. Appropriate chemical modification of the fiber surfaces helps to improve the wettability of the carbon fibers and, at the same time, allows the necessary covalent bonds to form between the fibers and the epoxy matrix. The effect of the plasma treatment was analyzed and confirmed by XPS analysis, Raman microscopy, SEM, TEM and wettability measurements. Composite samples filled with recycled carbon fibers with low concentrations (1 wt%, 2.5 wt% and 5 wt%) and high concentrations (20 wt% and 30 wt%) were made from selected treated fi-bers. The mechanical properties (impact toughness, 3PB) were analyzed on these samples. It was found that the modulus of elasticity and bending stress increase with the increasing content of recycled carbon fibers. A more significant change in impact strength occurred in samples with low concentration.

Objective: To describe technique of platelet rich plasma injection into the olfactory cleft in patients with long-term COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction. Methods: The technique starts with the blood extraction and the isolation of PRP through a 10-min centrifugation (4,200 rpm). The supernatant was injected in nasal regions with a 27-G needle after a local anesthesia with Xylocain 10% spray. The injection was performed through a 0° rigid optic. Precisely, several points of 0.2–0.5 mL were performed in the nasal septum in regard of the head of the middle turbine, and in the head of the middle turbine in both sides. Clinical, psychophysical and pain outcomes were evaluated pre- to post-injection. Results: A 22-year-old female with 24-month post-COVID-19 anosmia was recruited for the injection of PRP. The olfactory cleft endoscopic scale score was 0 and the threshold, discrimination and identification scores were 1, 8 and 0, respectively. The Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire score was 51. The patient benefited from the injection of 2.2 mL of PRP in nasal regions, which was done without complication. The procedure pain level was 2/10, while the local anesthesia with xylocaine 10% was judged as the most annoyance step with a score of 3/10. At 2-month post-injection, the TDI scores reached 16, 16, and 16 (48), while the Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire was 73. The patient described its recovery as very rapid, lasting 3-4 days, and occurring 3-week post-injection. Conclusion: The injection of PRP into the olfactory cleft is a safe and easiness new approach that may improve the recovery of smell sense.

Mammalian seminal plasma contains a multitude of bioactive components, including lipids, glucose, mineral elements, metabolites, proteins, cytokines and growth factors, with various functions during insemination and fertilization. The seminal plasma protein PDC-109 is one of the major soluble components of the bovine ejaculate and is crucially important for sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction. A hitherto underappreciated function of seminal plasma is its anti-microbial and anti-viral activity, which may limit sexual transmission of infectious diseases during intercourse. We have recently discovered that PDC-109 inhibits the membrane fusion activity of influenza virus particles and significantly impairs viral infections at micromolar concentrations. Here we investigated whether the antiviral activity of PDC-109 is restricted to Influenza or if other mammalian viruses are similarly affected. We focused on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), thoroughly assessing PDC-109 inhibition with SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S)-pseudotyped reporter virus particles, but also live-virus infections. Consistent with our previous publications we found significant virus inhibition, albeit accompanied by substantial cytotoxicity. Using time-of-addition experiments however, we discovered treatment regimen that enable virus suppression without affecting cell viability. We furthermore demonstrated that PDC-109 is also able to impair infections mediated by the VSV glycoprotein (VSVg) thus indicating a broad pan-antiviral activity against multiple virus species and families.

In this paper, we examine the weak deflection angle and greybody factor of magnetized regular black hole. We implement the Gauss-Bonnet theorem on magnetized regular black hole to get the deflection angle. Moreover, we analyze the influence of plasma and non-plasma mediums on deflection angle of magnetized regular black hole. We observe the graphical behaviour of plasma and non-plasma mediums on deflection angle of magnetized regular black hole. Lastly, we study the rigorous bound phenomenon of the greybody factor of magnetized regular black hole. For this purpose we calculate greybody factor results and analyze the graphical behaviour of greybody bound for the different values of the parameters.

Electric streamer discharges (streamers) in air are a very important stage of lightning, taking place before formation of the leader discharge, and with which an electric discharge starts from conducting objects which enhance the background elecric field, such as airplanes. Despite years of research, it is still not well understood what mechanism determines the values of streamer parameters, such as its radius and propagation velocity. The Streamer Parameter Model (SPM) is aimed to understand this mechanism, as well as to provide a way to efficiently calculate streamer parameters. Previously, we demonstrated that SPM results compared well with a limited set of experimental data. In this Brief Report, we compare SPM predictions to the published hydrodynamic simulation (HDS) results.

The material flow dynamic and velocity distribution on the melted domain surface play a crucial role on the joint quality and formation of welding defects. In this study, authors investigated the effects of the low and high currents of plasma arc welding on the material flow and thermodynamics of molten pool and its relationship to the welding defects. The high-speed video camera (HSVC) was used to observe the convection of the melted domain and welded-joint appearance. Furthermore, to consider the Marangoni force activation, the temperature on the melted domain was measured by a thermal HSVC. The results revealed that the velocity distribution on the weld surface was higher than that inside the molten weld pool due to the difference of the massive density between the air and the steel. Moreover, in the case of low welding current (80A) the convection speed of molten was faster than that of the high welding current case (160A) owing to the difference of main driving forces direction and strength, which leading to undercut and humping defects on the weld surface and excessive convex (burn-through) defect at the bottom weld side, respectively. The medium welding current (120A) had two convection patterns with the main flow in backward direction, which resulted in better welding quality without defect. The interaction between the shear force and Marangoni force played a solid state on the convection and heat transportation processes in the plasma arc welding process.

In this paper, we study light rays in a Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole. To this end, we use the optical geometry of the Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole within the Gauss-bonnet theorem. We first show the effect of the deformation parameter $a$ on the Gaussian optical curvature, and then we use the modern method popularized by Gibbons and Werner to calculate the weak deflection angle of light. Our calculations of deflection angle show how gravitational lensing is affected by the deformation parameter $a$. Moreover, we demonstrate the effect of a plasma medium on weak gravitational lensing by the Kazakov-Solodukhin black hole. We discuss that the increasing the deformation parameter $a$, will increase the weak deflection angle of the black hole. Our analysis also uncloak how one may find a observational evidence for a deformation parameter on the deflection angle.

The rank-3 antisymmetric tensors which are the magnetic monopoles of SU(N) Yang-Mills gauge theory dynamics, unlike their counterparts in Maxwell’s U(1) electrodynamics, are non-vanishing, and do permit a net flux of Yang-Mills analogs to the magnetic field through closed spatial surfaces. When electric source currents of the same Yang-Mills dynamics are inverted and their fermions inserted into these Yang-Mills monopoles to create a system, this system in its unperturbed state contains exactly 3 fermions due to the monopole rank-3 and its 3 additive field strength gradient terms in covariant form. So to ensure that every fermion in this system occupies an exclusive quantum state, the Exclusion Principle is used to place each of the 3 fermions into the fundamental representation of the simple gauge group with an SU(3) symmetry. After the symmetry of the monopole is broken to make this system indivisible, the gauge bosons inside the monopole become massless, the SU(3) color symmetry of the fermions becomes exact, and a propagator is established for each fermion. The monopoles then have the same antisymmetric color singlet wavefunction as a baryon, and the field quanta of the magnetic fields fluxing through the monopole surface have the same symmetric color singlet wavefunction as a meson. Consequently, we are able to identify these fermions with colored quarks, the gauge bosons with gluons, the magnetic monopoles with baryons, and the fluxing entities with mesons, while establishing that the quarks and gluons remain confined and identifying the symmetry breaking with hadronization. Analytic tools developed along the way are then used to fill the Yang-Mills mass gap.

In this paper, we calculate the deflection angle of photon by Casimir wormhole in the weak field limit approximation. First we calculate Gaussian optical curvature with the help of optical spacetime geometry and so we use the Gauss-Bonnet theorem on the Gaussian optical metric. Then we find the deflection angle of photon by Casimir wormhole. Moreover, we calculate the photon's deflection angle in the presence of plasma medium and we also see the graphical nature of deflection angle in both cases. Second, we move towards the shadow of Casimir wormhole. After the observations of Event Horizon Telescope, the study of shadow become very important so that we plot the shapes of shadow of Casimir wormhole, and we calculate the photon geodesic around the Casimir wormhole.

We present in this work a method for estimation of plasma bubble mean zonal drift velocities using keograms generated from images of the OI 6300.0 nm nightglow emission collected from an equatorial station -- Cariri (7.4$^\circ$S, 36.5$^\circ$W), and a mid-latitude station -- Cachoeira Paulista (22.7$^\circ$S, 45$^\circ$W), both in the Brazilian sector. The mean zonal drift velocities were estimated for 239 events recorded from 2000 to 2003 in Cariri, and for 56 events recorded over Cachoeira Paulista from 1998 to 2000. It was found that plasma bubble zonal drift velocities are smaller ($\sim$60 ms$^{-1}$) for events occurring later in the night compared to those occurring earlier ($\sim$150 ms$^{-1}$). The decreasing rate of the zonal drift velocity is of $\sim$10 ms$^{-1}$/h. We have also found that, in general, bubble events appearing first in the west-most region of the keogram are faster than those appearing first in the east-most region of the keograms. Larger zonal drift velocities occur from 19 LT to 23 LT in a longitude range from 37$^\circ$ to 33$^\circ$. The method of velocity estimation using keograms compares favorably against the mosaic method developed by \cite{Arruda:2005}, but the standard deviation of the residuals for the zonal drift velocities from the two methods is $\sim$15 ms$^{-1}$

In this work, the parameters of plasma (electron temperature (T_e), electron density n_e, plasma frequency (f_p) , Debye length (λ_D) and Debye number (N_D)) have been studied by using the spectrometer that collect the spectrum of Laser produce Cadmium telluride plasma at different energies. The results of electron temperature for CdTe range 0.93-1.18 eV also the electron density 5 × 10¹⁰ – 3.8 × 10¹¹ cm^-3 have been measured under vacuum reaching 2.5 × 10^-2 mbar .Optical properties of CdTe were determined through the optical transmission method using ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer within the range 190 – 1100 nm.

In order to alter and adjust the shape of the membrane, cells harness various mechanisms of curvature generation. Many of these curvature generation mechanisms rely on the interactions between peripheral membrane proteins, integral membrane proteins, and lipids in the bilayer membrane. One of the challenges in modeling these processes is identifying the suitable constitutive relationships that describe the membrane free energy that includes protein distribution and curvature generation capability. Here, we review some of the commonly used continuum elastic membrane models that have been developed for this purpose and discuss their applications. Finally, we address some fundamental challenges that future theoretical methods need to overcome in order to push the boundaries of current model applications.

This work reports measurements of calcified gallstone elemental compositions using laser-induced optical emission spectroscopy. The experimental results support the importance of the magnesium concentration in gallstone growth. Granular stones reveal an increased magnesium concentration at the periphery of the granules, suggesting the inhibition of further growth. Non-granular gallstones reveal lower overall magnesium concentrations but with higher values near the center.

Liquid propellants are fast becoming attractive for pulsed plasma thrusters due to their high efficiency and low contamination issues. However, the complete plasma interaction and acceleration processes are still not very clear. Present paper develops a multi-layer numerical model for liquid propellant PPTs. The model proposes a possible acceleration mechanism for liquid fed pulsed plasma thrusters and accurately predicts the propellant utilization capabilities and estimations for the fraction of propellant gas that is completely ionized and accelerated to high exit velocities. Validation of the numerical model and the assumptions on which the model is based on is achieved by comparing the experimental results from two different liquid-fed thrusters developed at the University of Tokyo. Results show 50% of liquid propellant injected is completely ionized and accelerated to high exit velocities (> 50Km/s), whereas, neutral gas contribute to only 7% of the total specific impulse and accelerated to low exit velocity (< 4Km/s). The model shows an accuracy up-to 92%. Optimization methods are briefly discussed to ensure efficient propellant utilization and performance. The model acts as a tool to understand the background physics and to optimize the performance for liquid-fed PPTs.

The quiet-time solar wind electrons feature non-thermal characteristics when viewed from the perspective of their velocity distribution functions. They typically have an appearance of being composed of a denser thermal “core” population plus a tenuous energetic “halo” population. At first, such a feature was empirically fitted with the Kappa velocity space distribution function, but ever since the ground-breaking work by Tsallis, the space physics community has embraced the potential implication of the Kappa distribution as reflecting the non-extensive nature of the space plasma. From the viewpoint of microscopic plasma theory, the formation of non-thermal electron velocity distribution function can be interpreted in terms of the plasma being in a state of turbulent quasi equilibrium. Such a finding brings forth the possible existence of a profound inter-relationship between the non-extensive statistical state and the turbulent quasi-equilibrium state. The present paper further develops the idea of solar wind electrons being in the turbulent equilibrium, but unlike the previous model, which involves the electrostatic turbulence near the plasma oscillation frequency (i.e., Langmuir turbulence), the present paper considers the impact of transverse electromagnetic turbulence, particularly, the turbulence in the whistler-mode frequency range. It is found that the coupling of spontaneously-emitted thermal fluctuations and the background turbulence leads to the formation of non-thermal electron velocity distribution function of the type observed in the solar wind during quiet times. This demonstrates that the whistler-range turbulence represents an alternative mechanism for producing the Kappa-like non-thermal distribution, especially close to the Sun and in the near-Earth space environment.

The interest in the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique has continuously increased over the last few years. This article shows the possibility of the development of a SPS device used for material processing and synthesis both in both scientific and industrial applications. This work presents an example of processing Arc-Meleted (half-Heusler, cobalt triantimonide) and SHS-synthesized semiconductors (bismuth telluride) materials with SPS device. The system functionalities expansion is presented, showing the possible way of increasing the information amount obtained about SPS processes and using the SPS apparatus for conducting synthesis of materials and increasing reproducibility and accuracy of process parameters control.

In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium in fried fish paste using floating electrode-dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) plasma (1.1 kV, 43 kHz, N2 1.5 m/s, 1-60 min). In addition, quality evaluation (pH, VBN) of fried fish paste was conducted after FE-DBD plasma treatment. When FE-DBD plasma was treated for 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, S. aureus decreased by 0.16-1.13 log10 CFU/g, and S. Typhimurium decreased 0.25-1.13 log10 CFU/g. Both decreased &gt; log10 CFU/g at 60 min. The D-value was 58.92 and R2 was 0.97 for S. aureus using first-order kinetics, and the D-value was 43.60 and R2 was 0.97 for S. Typhimurium using the Weibull model. There was no significant difference in pH after FE-DBD plasma treatment (p &gt; 0.05). However, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) significantly decreased as the treatment time increased (p &lt; 0.05), and it was the lowest at 60 min to 3.46. Therefore, FE-DBD plasma treatment could be considered as a technology for preserving the quality of processed foods.

The current investigation presents porous ceramic materials prepared of cenospheres prepared by spark plasma sintering. The impact of sintering temperature, mould diameter (20 and 30 mm diameter) and cenosphere size on the properties of the sintered material was investigated. Shrinkage of the samples during sintering started at 900 °C. Sample shrinkage during sintering increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing mould size; increasing sample sintering temperature increases the apparent density of all sample series CS 63-150 µm in 20 mm mould from 0.97 to 2.3 g·cm-3 at 1050 - 1300 °C, in 30 mm mould 0.81 - 1.87 g·cm-3 at 1050 - 1200 °C, in 50 mm mould 0.54 - 0.75 g·cm-3 at 1050 - 1150 °C, while CS 150-250 µm in 20 mm mould 0.93 - 1.96 g·cm-3 at 1050 - 1200 °C. Total porosity decreases from 61.5% to 3.9% with increasing sintering temperature from 1050 to 1250 °C, while open porosity reduces at lower temperatures, with closed porosity being highest in samples sintered at 1150 °C. When the sintering temperature increases from 1050 to 1300 °C, the compressive strength of the CS 63-150 samples produced in a 20 mm mould increases from 11 MPa to 312 MPa. These results correlate with the Rice model, which describes an exponential dependence of compressive strength on material porosity and fully dense material compressive strength.

Various iron oxides have been proven to be promising anode materials for metal-ion batteries due to their natural abundance, high theoretical capacity, ease of preparation, and environmental friendliness. However, the synthesis of iron oxide-based composites requires complex approaches, especially when it comes to composites with intrinsically conductive polymers. In this work we propose a one-step microplasma synthesis of a polyaniline-coated urchin-like FeOOH nanoparticles (FeOOH/PANI) for application as anode in lithium-ion batteries. The material shows excellent electrochemical characteristics, providing initial capacity of ca. 1600 mA∙h∙g−1 at 0.05 A∙g−1 and 900 mA∙g−1 at 1.2 A∙g−1. Further cycling lead to capacity decrease to 150 mA∙h∙g−1 by the 60th cycles, followed by a recovery that maintained the capacity at 767 mA∙h∙g−1 after 2000 cycles at 1.2 A∙g−1 and restored full initial capacity of 1600 mA∙h∙g−1 at low current density of 0.05 A∙g−1. Electrochemical milling of the material caused such interesting behavior of the material, and we confirmed this phenomenon by a combination of physico-chemical and electrochemical techniques. The anodes also exhibit high performance in a full cell with NMC532. NMC532//FeOOH/PANI full cell provided energy density of 224 Wh∙kg−1 which is comparable to the reference cell with graphite anode (264 Wh∙kg−1).

This study aimed to elucidate the antibacterial efficacy and unique chemical compositions generated from plasma-activated water (PAW) when utilized a novel vaginal cleansing device. We conducted an analysis of antibacterial activity against probiotics and several chemical compositions including ions under various operational parameters of PAW, including electrical power (12 and 24 V), treatment duration (1, 10, and 20 min), and stay duration (immediate, 30 and 60 min). Our findings revealed that as treatment duration increased, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations increased and Cl−concentrations decreased. Higher electrical power and longer treatment duration resulted in increased HOCl levels, which acts to prevent the growth of general microorganisms. Notably, PAW exhibited no antibacterial effects against a type of probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri that produces lactic acid for vaginal health. This result demonstrated the ability of the vaginal cleaning device to generate ions, primarily HOCl and some cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+), thereby providing vaginal mucosa protecting and cleansing effects with the vaginal environment.

We have investigated the effect of electron-beam irradiation by a forevacuum-pressure plasma-cathode electron source on the surface roughness and hardness of Al2O3- and AlN-based ceramics. The roughness increases with increasing temperature of the processed surface, while the hardness slightly decreases. For aluminum nitride ceramic, we find that the thermal conductivity increases by a factor of 1.5 to 2 depending on the electron-beam irradiation regime.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the ultimate, homeostatic determinant of fluid volume (FV) in all compartments of the body. The ability to change the pressure and flow of nutrient medium to cellular structures selectively has clinical significance in almost all areas of clinical medicine. We have shown that present fluid therapy (FT) using either colloid or saline dilutes nutrients. HSA binds and delivers nutrients, a lack of HSA binding causes Albumin Binding Disease (ABD) changing both colloidal pressure and nutrients leading to symptoms of sepsis. A reduction in HSA binding can be through lack of HSA or external ligands taking up binding sites on HSA. Many diseases cause ABD when immunoglobulins, infectious particles and by products bind to HSA including COVID-19 and other bacterial diseases like streptococcus as well as metabolic and cardiac disease due to incorrect pressure and nutrients. To raise HSA binding potential and remove vulnerabilities to these diseases we propose raising HSA. We show how present methods of fluid therapy (FT) are inefficient in that control of both pressure and nutrients forms initial equilibrium in the liver. HSA production and binding to nutrients is maintained at a level by the pressure in hepatocytes with the pancreatic and adrenal hormones moderating. Glucose and Ke-tone production are critical in the management of HSA binding and control of blood, colloidal pressure, and health of cells. Ketones provide a distinct mechanism of liver to lungs-heart metabolism during hypoglycaemia and activity. This known chain of nutrition becomes critical during disease like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when ketones may be overproduced. HSA must therefore be infused into the liver to raise HSA levels safely. We investigated the control of HSA as a product of the actions of pressure in hepatocytes and changes in pancreatic and adrenal hormones. We found that in addition to pressure during glucose abundancy HSA is re-leased with ketones on administration of insulin and consider that this mechanism retains HSA moderation. HSA can therefore be increased by increasing insulin in the presence of glucose in the correct amounts. We suggest a protocol to increase FV, blood, lymph volume by infusion of HSA, insulin, and glucose direct to the liver so that the level of HSA stabilises. We suggest this will raise all other nutrients in the new FV, blood, lymph culminating in the creation of new blood cells. We propose that in a clinical situation maintaining this protocol will alleviate the symptoms of ABD and decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death.

In the article, the fireball formed in the collision of relativistic nuclei is considered as a quantum object. Based on this, an attempt is made to explain the difference in the measurements of hyperon yields in the two experiments - NA49 and NA57. Using the basic principles of quantum mechanics, it was shown that a fireball can have two quantum states - with and without ignited Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP). With an increase of the collision energy of heavy ions, the probability of QGP ignition increases. At the same time, the probability of the formation of fireball without QGP ignition also remains nonzero even at nuclear collision energies that are much higher than the threshold QGP formation energy, which may be erroneously considered to be fixed and which is intensively sought in modern heavy ion accelerators. Thus, at SPS energy of heavy ion collisions \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 17.3 GeV, which is much higher than the assumed threshold energy of QGP formation in the region around or slightly above of \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 3 GeV, only half of the central collisions of heavy ions bring to the formation of a fireball consisted of deconfined matter (quarks and gluons), the remaining half of the collisions lead to the formation of a fireball from only hadronic matter (mesons, nucleons, hyperons etc.).

Nonlinear electrodynamics is known as the generalizations of Maxwell electrodynamics at strong fields and presents interesting features such as curing the classical divergences present in the linear theory when coupled to general relativity. In this paper, we consider the asymptotically flat Reissner-Nordstr\"om black hole solution with higher-order magnetic correction in Einstein-nonlinear-Maxwell fields. We study the effect of the magnetic charge parameters on the black hole, viz. weak deflection angle of photons and massive particles using Gauss-bonnet theorem. Moreover, we apply the Keeton-Petters formalism to confirm our results of the weak deflection angle. Apart from vacuum, their influence in the presence of different media such as plasma and dark matter are probed as well. Finally, We examine the black hole shadow cast using the null-geodesics method and investigate its spherically in-falling thin accretion disk. Our inferences show how the magnetic charge parameter $p$ affects the other physical quantities; so, we impose some constraints on this parameter using the observations from the Event Horizon Telescope.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Despite the progress made in treatment, some MM patients still die within the first year of diagnosis. Numerous studies investigating microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns suggest they may be good prognostic markers. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the expression of selected miRNAs in the serum of MM patients subsequently treated with bortezomib-based regimens and determine their potential to predict early mortality. The study was conducted in 69 prospectively-recruited patients with newly-diagnosed MM admitted to the Department of Hematology of the Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz (Poland) between 2017 and 2021. Among them, 17 patients experienced death within 12 months of diagnosis. The expression of 31 selected miRNAs was determined using miRCURY LNA miRNA Custom PCR Panel. The obtained clinical data included patient characteristics on diagnosis, treatment regimen, response to treatment, and follow-up. Differential expression analysis found two miRNAs to be significantly downregulated in the early mortality group: hsa-miR-328-3p (fold change- FC: 0.72, p=0.0342) and hsa-miR-409-3p (FC: 0.49, p=0.0357). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the early mortality rate. The final model consisted of hsa-miR-409-3p, hsa-miR-328-3p, age and R-ISS 3. It yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.863 (95%CI: 0.761-0.965) with 88.2% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity. Further external validation of our model is necessary to confirm its clinical value.

In this project, our foremost intention is to analyze the angle of deflection of photon by NED black holes with many horizons in the context of non-linear electrodynamics. For the accomplishment of our intention at first we manipulated the optical metric of the desired black holes for the calculation of Gaussian curvature. After that, the angle of deflection in leading orders is attained from the desired black holes in weak field limit by using the famous Gauss-Bonnet theorem. Moreover, we evince the effect of plasma medium on the angle of deflection. At last, the graphical impact of the angle of deflection for NED black holes with many horizons is examined with respect to black hole charge and impact parameter in both the plasma and non plasma medium. In addition, we discuss the rigorous bound for grey body factor of the desired black hole and also observer its graphical behavior.

Membrane transporters (MTs) are mainly localized at the plasma membrane (PM), tonoplast and vacuolar membrane (VM) of cells in all plant organs. Their work is to maintain the cellular homeostasis by controlling ionic movements across PM channels from roots to upper plant parts, xylem loading and remobilization of sugar molecules from photosynthesis tissues in the leaf (source) to roots, stem and seeds (sink) via phloem loading. The plant’s whole source-to-sink relationship is regulated by multiple transporting proteins in a highly sophisticated manner and driven based on different stages of plant growth and development (PG&D), and environmental changes. The MTs play a pivotal role in PG&D in terms of increased plant height, branches/tiller numbers, enhanced numbers, length and filled panicles per plant, seed yield and grain quality. Dynamic climatic changes disturbed the ionic balance (salt, drought and heavy metals) and sugar supply (cold and heat stress). Due to poor selectivity, some of the MTs also uptake toxic elements in the roots that negatively impact on PG&D, later on also exported to upper parts and then deteriorate the grain quality. As an adaptive strategy, in response to salt and HMs plants activated PM and VM localized MTs that export toxic elements into vacuole, and also translocate in the root’s tips and shoot. However, in case of drought, cold and heat stresses, MTs increased the water and sugar supply to all organs. In this review, we mainly reviewed recent literature from Arabidopsis, halophytes, and major field crops such as rice, wheat, maize and oilseed rape to argue on the global role of MTs in PG&D and abiotic stress tolerance. We also discussed the gene expression level changes and genomic variations within a species as well as within a family in response to developmental and environmental cues.

The selection of biomaterials for biomedical application is a significant challenge. In the last few decades, various bioabsorbable and stable biopolymers have been applied for use as biomedical devices in orthopedic applications. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been extensively used in medical implants, notably in the bearings of hip, knee, and other joint prostheses, owing to its biocompatibility and high wear resistance. For the ACL graft, synthetic UHMWPE is an ideal candidate due to its biocompatibility and its extremely high tensile strength. Despite the appeal of new advanced materials such as carbon fiber, poly-ether-ether ketone, and other load-bearing materials, UHMWPE remains a primary load-bearing candidate material for ACL reconstructions because of its extremely high strength, the simplicity of the fabrication process, its biocompatibility, and low friction. However, some significant problems are observed in UHMWPE based implants, such as wear debris, and oxidative degradation due to the generation of free radicals when exposed to irradiation with gamma rays for grafting or sterilization. Various innovative methodologies have been developed to resolve those problems and enhance the properties of UHMWPE. In this review, we will explore in detail the methods for surface functionalization of UHMWPE and will apply these findings to the case study of UHMWPE for Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair.

A formulation of nonequilibrium thermo field dynamics has been performed using the nonequilibrium statistical operator method by D.N. Zubarev. Generalized transfer equations for a consistent description of kinetics and hydrodynamics of the dense quantum-field system with strongly coupled states are derived.

Conventional flame retardant (FR) application processes for textiles involve aqueous processing which is resource intensive in terms of energy and water usage. Recent research using sol-gel and layer-by-layer chemistries, while claimed to be based on more environmentally-sustainable chemistry, still require aqueous media with the continuing problem of water management and drying processes being required. This paper outlines the initial forensic work to characterise commercially produced viscose/flax, cellulosic furnishing fabrics which have had conferred upon them durable flame retardant (FR) treatments using a novel, patented atmospheric plasma/UV excimer laser facility for processing textiles with the formal name - Multiplexed Laser Surface Enhancement (MLSE) system. This system (MTIX Ltd., UK), is claimed to offer the means of directly bonding of flame retardant precursor species to the component fibres introduced either before plasma/UV exposure or into the plasma/UV reaction zone itself, thereby eliminating a number of wet processing cycles. Nine commercial fabrics, pre-impregnated with a semi-durable, proprietary FR finish and subjected to the MLSE process have been analysed for their flame retardant properties before and after a 40 °C 30 min water soak. For one fabric, the pre-impregnated fabric was subjected to a normal heat cure treatment which conferred the same level of durability as the plasma/UV-treated analogue. TGA and LOI were used to further characterise their burning behaviour and the effect of the treatment on surface fibre morphologies were assessed. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that negligible changes had occurred to surface topography of the viscose fibres occurred during plasma/UV excimer processing.

A novel plasma source of pulsed electrolyte cathode atmospheric pressure discharge (pulsed-ECAD) driven by an alternating current (AC) power supply coupled with a high voltage diode was generated, and the discharge was generated in the open-to-air atmosphere between a metal electrode and a small-sized flowing liquid cathode. The spatial distribution of plasma temperatures (excitation, vibrational and rotational) of the pulsed-ECAD were investigated. The electron excitation temperature of H T_exc(H), vibrational temperature of N₂ T_vib(N₂), and rotational temperature of OH T_rot(OH) were measured as 4900±36-6800±108 K, 4600±86-5800±100 K and 1050±20-1140±10 K, respectively. Meanwhile, the temperature characteristics of dc solution cathode glow discharge (dc-SCGD) were also studied for comparison with pulsed-ECAD. The effects of operating parameters, including discharge voltage and discharge frequency, on the plasma temperatures were investigated. The electron number density determined in the discharge system and dc-SCGD were within the range (3.8–18.9) ×10¹⁴ cm^-3 and 2.6×10¹⁴-17.2×10¹⁴ cm^-3, respectively.

This work deals with the analysis of phase composition of sintered Ti-Al-C composite materials under high voltage electrical discharge. The samples of Ti-Al-C powder composites were tested by SEM, Raman spectroscopy and XRD. It was determined that the treatment of the powder by high voltage electrical discharge (HVED) and further sintering at high temperatures using the method of spark plasma sintering (SPS) encourages the formation of the intermetallic reinforcing phases, carbides and different nanocarbon structures like graphene and fullerenes, as well as pure graphite. Intermetallic phases and nanocarbon structures improve mechanical and physical properties of the composites. By using experimental methods mentioned above, the phase composition of Ti-Al-C powder composites obtained at different sintering temperatures was determined.

The hydrodynamics of plasma formed in the interaction of 100-ns UV KrF laser pulses with foam targets with volume densities from 5 to 500 mg/cm3 was studied. Initial and dynamic transmittance at 248-nm wavelength have been measured. At intensities about 1012 W/cm2, the propagation rates of radiation through foam targets reached 80 km/s, while plasma stream velocities from both front and rear sides of targets were approximately the same ~ 75 km/s, which confirms a volumetric absorption of radiation within the target thickness and the explosive nature of the plasma formation and expansion.

Thermal processing of Zr-loaded ion-exchangers is a facile route to synthetize (ZrO2, ZrC)@C composites. The chemical character of the functional groups in the cation exchanger is an essential factor in the composition and properties of the (ZrO2, ZrC)@C composites. In the present paper furnace and RF-thermal plasma processing of ZrOCl2 loaded thiourea-functionalized styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer was investigated that led to various composites containing ZrO2 and ZrC. Depending on the synthesis conditions, different ZrO2@C composites were formed between 1000 and 1400 °C in 2 h, whereas the composite containing ZrC was created at 1400 °C in 8 h. The ratio of ZrO2/ZrC, the prevailing ZrO2 modifications, and the crystallite sizes strongly depend on the synthesis conditions. The ZrC-containing composites formed only at 1400 °C in 8 hours and by the plasma treatment of the ZrO2@C sample prepared in the furnace, resulting in 8 and 16% ZrC content, with 44 and 41 nm ZrC crystallite sizes, respectively. The ZrO2-containing composites (tetragonal, monoclinic, and cubic modifications with 65–88 nm ZrO2 crystallite sizes and 15–43 m2/g BET surface areas, depending on the carbonization temperature) formed in a tube furnace between 1000 and 1400 °C in 2 h. The tube furnace–prepared sample formed at 1400 °C in 8 h contained ZrC, ZrO2 modifications, and amorphous carbon, whereas the plasma-treated sample contained ZrC, ZrO2 modifications, and graphite. All ZrO2@C composites had both amorphous carbon and graphite, and their ratio is temperature-dependent. The carbonaceous compounds of the prepared composites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, with analysis of the G and D band intensities. XPS studies showed the surface oxidation of ZrC.

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC– MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin (ATOR), ezetimibe (EZM) and their three metabolites including o-hydroxyl atorvastatin (o-OH ATOR), p-hydroxyl atorvastatin (p-OH ATOR), and ezetimibe-glucuronide (EZM-G) in human plasma using benzyl paraben (BP) as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were ionized using ESI positive ion mode (ATOR, o-OH ATOR, and p-OH ATOR), ESI negative ion mode (EZM, EZM-G, and BP), and operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. They were next extracted by salting-out assisted liquid–liquid extraction with acetonitrile, and then analyzed by liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase chromatographic column (50 mm × 4.6 mm; 3.5 µm), using a mixture of ac-etonitrile and an acetic acid solution (0.5%) as the mobile phase, showing high extraction effi-ciency (>70%), and a minimized matrix effect. The method was satisfactorily validated, and showed excellent linearity over wide concentration ranges of 0.06–15 ng/mL, 0.6–150 ng/mL, 0.4–100 ng/mL, 0.12–30 ng/mL, and 0.05–3 ng/mL for EZM, EZM-G, ATOR, o-OH ATOR, and p-OH ATOR, respectively.

This work communicates line strength data and associated scripts for computation and spectroscopic fitting of selected transitions of the diatomic molecules AlO, C2, CN, OH, N2+, NO, and TiO. For ease of use, the scripts for data analysis are designed for inclusion in various software packages or program languages. The accuracy of the data is of the order of less than one picometer, suitable for analysis of laser-induced fluorescence and laser-plasma spectra. Selected results demonstrate the applicability of the program for data analysis in laser-induced optical breakdown spectroscopy primarily at The University of Tennessee Space Institute, Center for Laser Applications. Representative spectra are calculated and referenced to measured data records.

Heavy Ion Beam Probing (HIBP) diagnostic is a powerful tool for electric field studies in hot dense plasma of modern day toroidal magnetic confinement devices. On the TUMAN-3M to-kamak, the HIBP have been used in regimes with improved plasma confinement to clear up the role of radial electric field in the transition to good confinement regimes. Recently, a moderni-zation of the TUMAN-3M HIBP diagnostics was performed aiming to reconfigure it for a work with a reversed plasma current direction and improvement of overall stability of the diagnostic. The results of first measurements of plasma potential in co-NBI scenario are reported and dis-cussed.

Glycosphingolipids (GSL) represent a highly heterogeneous class of lipids with many cellular functions, implicated in a wide spectrum of human diseases. Their isolation, detection, and comprehensive structural analysis is a challenging task due to the structural diversity of GSL molecules. In this work, GSL subclasses are isolated from human plasma using an optimized monophasic ethanol–water solvent system capable to recover a broad range of GSL species. Obtained deproteinized plasma is subsequently purified and concentrated by C18-based solid-phase extraction (SPE). The hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to electrospray ionization linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-LIT-MS/MS) is used for GSL analysis in the human plasma extract. Our results provide an in-depth profiling and structural characterization of glycosphingolipid and some phospholipid subclasses identified in the human plasma based on their retention times and the interpretation of tandem mass spectra. The structural composition of particular lipid species is readily characterized based on the detailed interpretation of MS and MS/MS spectra and further confirmed by specific fragmentation behavior following predictable patterns, which yields to the unambiguous identification of 154 GSL species within 7 lipid subclasses and 77 phospholipids representing the highest number of GSL species ever reported in the human plasma. The developed HILIC-ESI-MS/MS method can be used for further clinical and biological research of GSL in the human blood or other biological samples.

Magneto-optic (MO) imaging and sensing are at present the most developed practical applications of thin-film MO garnet materials. However, future component and system-level sensors and imagers technology improvements are still necessary in order to improve sensitivity for a range of established and also the forward-looking applications. These improvements are expected to originate from new material system development. We propose a set of technological modifications for the RF-magnetron sputtering deposition and crystallization annealing of magneto-optic bismuth-substituted iron-garnet films and investigate the improved material properties. Results show that standard crystallization annealing for the as-deposited ultrathin (sputtered 10 nm thick, amorphous phase) films resulted in more than a factor of two loss in the magneto-optical activity of the films in visible spectral region, compared to the liquid-phase grown epitaxial films. Results also show that an additional 10 nm-thick metal-oxide (Bi2O3) protective layer above the amorphous film results in ~2.7 times increase in the magneto-optical quality of crystallized iron-garnet films. On the other hand, the effects of post-deposition oxygen (O2) plasma treatment on the magneto-optical (MO) properties of Bismuth substituted iron garnet thin films material is investigated. Results show that, in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (at 532 nm), the O2 treated (up to 3 minutes) garnet films retain higher specific Faraday rotation and figure of merit than those of non-treated garnet films.

New coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) treatments and vaccines are under development to combat the COVID-19 disease. Several approaches are being used by scientists for investigation including 1) various small molecule approaches targeting RNA polymerase, 3C-like protease, and RNA endonuclease and 2) exploration of antibodies obtained from convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The coronavirus genome is highly prone to mutations that lead to genetic drift and escape from immune recognition; thus, it is imperative that sub-strains with different mutations are also accounted for during vaccine development. As the disease has grown to become a pandemic, new B-cell and T-cell epitopes predicted from SARS coronavirus have been reported. Using the epitope information along with variants of the virus, we have found several variants which might cause drifts. Among such variants, 23403A>G variant (p.D614G) in spike protein B-cell epitope is observed frequently in European countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and France.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathophysiology comprises clinical and genetic factors. In fact, GDM has been associated with several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This study aimed to build a prediction model of GDM combining clinical and genetic risk factors. A total of 1588 pregnant women from the San Carlos Cohort participated in the present study, 1069 (67.3%) Caucasian (CAU) and 519 (32.7%) Latin American (LAT), 255 (16.1%) with GDM. The incidence of GDM was similar in both groups (16.1% CAU and 16.0% LAT). Genotyping was performed by IPLEX Mass ARRAY PCR selecting 110 SNPs based on literature references. The SNPs showing the strongest likelihood of GDM development were the rs10830963, rs7651090 and rs1371614 in CAU and rs1387153 and the rs9368222 in LAT. Clinical variables including age, pre-pregnancy body mass index and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at 12 gestational weeks predicted the risk of GDM (AUC 0.648, 95%CI 0.601-0.695 in CAU; AUC 0.688, 95%CI 0.628-9.748 in LAT) and adding the SNPs modestly improved prediction (AUC 0.722, 95%CI 0.680-0.764 in CAU; AUC 0.769, 95%CI 0.711-0.826 in LAT). In conclusion, adding genetic variants enhanced the prediction model of GDM risk in CAU and LAT pregnant women. An RCT is underway to demonstrate its usefulness

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, relapsing and remitting, immune mediated liver disease which progresses to cirrhosis if left untreated. A significant number of patients may present with acute hepatitis or acute liver failure, which are often misdiagnosed as toxic liver injury. AIH shows a preponderance for young women but may be seen in children and elderly. Diagnosis requires integration of clinical, biochemical and serologic parameters along with supportive liver histology and exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsy is a pre-requisite for diagnosis of AIH, to assess severity and stage of disease, exclude other entities and recognize any concurrent morbidities. No single biomarker or histologic feature is pathognomonic for AIH. The diagnostic and histologic criteria have undergone several modifications since the Original Scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) in 1993. Recently, IAIHG has proposed consensus recommendations for histologic criteria, relevant for both acute and chronic AIH. This review article will describe the evolving diagnostic criteria for AIH with their limitations and utility, with an emphasis on the role of liver histology in diagnosis and management of AIH.

A new method for multi-shot reconstruction of high-energy photon distributions in the context of studying the interaction between a beam and a plasma in plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) experiments is presented. The study investigates the effects of beam perturbations on betatron radiation and analyzes how these perturbations can lead to hosing, a transverse instability that can degrade the quality of the beam. The potential of betatron radiation spectroscopy as a non-invasive diagnostic technique for PWFA experiments is also emphasized.

Good hand hygiene has proven to be essential in reducing the uncontrolled spread of human pathogens. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) may provide an alternative to disinfecting hands with ethanol-based handrubs when hand washing facilities are unavailable. CAP can be safely applied to the skin if the energy is well controlled. In this study, RF and DC plasma sources was built with a pin-to-mesh electrodes configuration inside a fused silica tube of 5 mm of inner diameter. Microbiological assays based on EN 13697:2015+A1:2019 using Escherichia coli DSM 682 or Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 20044 were used to examine the antimicrobial effect of various plasma conditions. Metal and silicone disks that model skin were used as inoculation matrices. The prototype air radio frequency (RF) CAP achieved significant disinfection in the MHz range on stainless steel and silicone substrates. This is equivalent to half the performance of direct current CAP, which is only effective on conductive substrates. Using only electricity and air CAP could, with further optimization, replace or complement current hand disinfection methods, and mitigate the economic burden of public health crises in the future.

This review describes and discusses unusual axonal structural details and evidence for unmasking of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in axoplasmic membranes resulting from electrical stimulation or asphyxia. Crayfish axons contain fenestrated septa (FS) that in phase contrast micrographs appear as repeated striations. In the electron microscope each septum is made of two cross-sectioned membranes containing ~550 Å pores, each occupied by a microtubule. Thin filaments, likely to be made of kinesin, bridge the microtubule to the edge of the pore. FS are believed to play a role in axoplasmic flow. The axons also display areas in which axon and sheath-glial cell plasma membranes are sharply curved and project into the axoplasm. In freeze-fractures, the protoplasmic leaflet (P-face) of the projections appears as elongated indentations containing parallel chains of particles. The sheath-glial cell plasma membrane also contains particles, but they are irregularly aggregated. The axons also display areas where axonal and glial plasma membranes fuse, creating intercellular pores. In axons fixed during electrical stimulation the plasma membrane, the outer membrane of mitochondria, membranes of other cytoplasmic organelles and gap junctions increase in electron opacity and thickness, resulting from unmasking of sulfhydryl groups (-SH). Similar changes occur in asphyxiated nerve cords.

This work communicates cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) of methylidyne (CH) in a chemiluminescent plasma that is produced in a microwave cavity. Of interest are the rotational lines of the 0-0 vibrational transition for the A-X band and the 1-0 vibrational transition for the B-X band. The reported investigations originate from CH-radical research in 1996 that constituted the first case of applying CRDS to the CH radical. The report also includes recent analysis that shows excellent agreement of measured and computed data, and it communicates CH line strength data.

A Chinese superalloy GH4099 (~20 vol.% γ' phase), which can operate for long periods of time at temperatures of 1173-1273 K, was fabricated by electron beam melting (EBM). Argon gas atomized (AA) and plasma rotation electrode process (PREP) powders with the similar composition and size distribution were used as raw materials for comparison. Microstructure and mechanical properties of both the as-EBMed and post-treated alloy samples were investigated. The results show that the different powder characteristics resulted in the different build temperatures for AA and PREP samples, which were 1253 K and 1373 K, respectively. With increasing the building temperature, the EBM processing window shifted towards the higher scanning speed direction. Furthermore, intergranular cracking was observed for the as-fabricated PREP sample as a result of local enrichment of Si at grain boundaries. The cracks were completely eliminated by hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and did not re-open during subsequent solution treatment and aging (STA). Fine spherical γ' phase precipitated uniformly after STA. The tensile strength of the HIP+STA samples was ~920 MPa in the building direction and ~850 MPa in the horizontal direction, comparable with that of the wrought alloy.

In this work, we examine the deflection angle of black hole in effective loop quantum gravity in non-plasma medium via the geometrical technique of Gibbons and Werner in weak field limits. For this, we attain the optical metric and calculate the Gaussian optical curvature and then we apply the Gauss-Bonnet theorem. We also study the influence of the plasma and dark matter mediums on the deflection angle. Further, we obtain the deflection angle by using Keeton and Petters method. We also calculate the Hawking temperature via Gauss-Bonnet theorem. In addition, we determine the fermionic greybody bounds. Moreover, we discuss the graphical behaviour of the bending angle and bounds on the greybody factor. We also examine that the results obtained for the black hole in effective loop quantum gravity are reduces to the Schwarzschild black hole solutions when dimensionless non-negative parameter $A_{\lambda}=0$.

The coevolution of species drives diversity in animals and plants and contributes to natural selection, whereas in host–parasite coevolution, a parasite may complete an incomplete evolutionary/developmental function by utilizing the host cell’s machinery. Analysis of related older data suggests that Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the pathogen of malaria tropica, cannot survive outside its human host because it is unable to perform the evolutionarily first protein glycosylation of serologically A-like, O-GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr-R, Tn antigen (“T nouvelle”) formation, owing to its inability for synthesizing the amino sugar N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc). This parasite breaks the species barrier via hijacking the host's physiological A-like/Tn formation through abundantly expressing serine residues and creating hybrid A-like/Tn structures, which in the human blood group O(H) are attacked by the germline-encoded nonimmune polyreactive immunoglobulin M (IgM), exerting the highly anti-A/B/H-aggressive isoagglutinin activities. These activities physiologically undergo the ABO(H) blood group phenotype formation, occurring on the surfaces of red blood cells (RBC), epithelial and endothelial cells and on plasma proteins by identical glycosylation, performed by the ABO(H)-allelic glycotransferases, phenotypically downregulating the anti-A/B/H-reactive IgM (isoagglutinin) activities in the non-O blood groups. ABO(H) phenotype diversity, this way glycosidically linked and molecularly connected to humoral immunity, becomes exposed to the evolution.

Emerging autologous cellular therapies that utilize platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applications have the potential to play adjunctive roles in a variety of regenerative medicine treatment plans. There is a global unmet need for tissue repair strategies to treat musculoskeletal (MSK) and spinal disorders, osteoarthritis (OA), and patients with chronic complex and recalcitrant wounds. PRP therapy is based on the fact that platelet growth factors (PGFs) support the three phases of wound healing and repair cascade (inflammation, proliferation, remodeling). Many different PRP formulations have been evaluated, originating from human, in vitro, and animal studies. However, recommendations from in vitro and animal research often lead to different clinical outcomes because it is difficult to translate non-clinical study outcomes and methodology recommendations to human clinical treatment protocols. In recent years, progress has been made in understanding PRP technology and the concepts for bioformulation, and new research directives and new indications have been suggested. In this review, we will discuss recent developments regarding PRP preparation and composition regarding platelet dosing, leukocyte activities concerning innate and adaptive immunomodulation, serotonin (5-HT) effects and pain killing. Furthermore, we discuss PRP mechanisms related to inflammation and angiogenesis in tissue repair and regenerative processes. Lastly, we will review the effect of certain drugs on PRP activity, and the combination of PRP and rehabilitation protocols.

The persistent issue of bacterial and fungal colonization of artificial implantable materials and decreasing efficacy of conventional systemic antibiotics used to treat implant-associated infections has led to the development of a wide range of antifouling and antibacterial strategies. This article reviews one such strategy where inherently biologically active renewable resources, i.e. secondary plant metabolites (SPMs) and their naturally occurring combinations (i.e. essential oils) are used for surface functionalization and synthesis of polymer thin films. With a distinct mode of antibacterial activity, broad spectrum of action and diversity of available chemistries, secondary plant metabolites present an attractive alternative to conventional antibiotics. However, their conversion from liquid to solid phase without significant loss of activity is not trivial. Using select examples, this article shows how plasma techniques provide a sufficiently flexible and chemically reactive environment to enable the synthesis of biologically-active polymer-coatings from volatile renewable resources.

The paper is devoted to the study of a high-pressure short-arc xenon discharge, which is widely used as a light source. Cathodes of such lamps are often doped with thorium for better cathode operation. As a result, thorium can evaporate into a discharge. The study is based on a model of a short-arc xenon discharge plasma, which includes presence of thorium atoms in the plasma. The data obtained show that thorium atoms strongly affect the characteristics of the plasma, reducing its temperature, changing the ionic composition near the cathode, energy balance and generation of optical radiation. Especially interesting is the case when the discharge electrodes have a different shape of the working surface: the anode has a convex or concave shape; the cathode has a different cone angle. The obtained data make it possible to propose a new way to increase the luminous efficiency of xenon lamps due to the appropriate choice of the electrodes working surface shape, which turned out to be an unexpectedly strong factor of affecting plasma characteristics. This, in turn, allows us to develop xenon lamps with the desired characteristics providing optical radiation in the required range of the spectrum and better use of energy.

The Reactive Spark Plasma Sintering (R-SPS) method is compared in this work with the two-steps SHS-SPS route, based on combination of the Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) with the SPS process, for the fabrication of dense (Hf0.2Mo0.2Ti0.2Ta0.2Nb0.2)B2-SiC and (Hf0.2Mo0.2Ti0.2Ta0.2Zr0.2)B2-SiC ceramics. A multiphasic and inhomogeneous product, containing various borides, is obtained at 2000°C/20min by R-SPS, from transition metals, B4C and Si. In contrast, if the same precursors are first reacted by SHS, and then processed by SPS under the optimized condition of 1800°C/20min, the desired ceramics are successfully attained. Both High-Entropy-Boride/SiC products display densities > 97%, uniform microstructures and contained only small amounts of residual oxides (<2.4 wt.%). The presence of SiC makes the sintering temperature milder, i.e. 150°C below to that needed by the corresponding additive-free system. Fracture toughness is also markedly improved, particularly when considering the Nb-containing system processed at 1800°C/20min, whereas KIC progressively decreases (from 7.35 to 5.36 MPa m1/2) as the SPS conditions become more severe. SiC addition is found to inhibit the volatilization of metal oxides like MoO3 formed during oxidation experiments, thus avoiding mass loss in the ceramics. The benefits above also likely take advantage of the fact that the two composite constituents are synthesized in parallel, according to the SHS-SPS approach, rather than being produced separately and combined subsequently, so that strong interfaces between them are formed.

The regulation of intracellular pH in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells is critical for cell function and viability. In yeast, protons (H+) can be excreted from cell by the plasma membrane ATPase Pma1 and pumped into vacuoles by the vacuolar H+-ATPase. Because Pma1 is critical to the survival of yeast cells, it is unknown whether other compensatory components are involved in the pH homeostasis in the absence of Pma1. To elucidate how intracellular pH is regulated independently of Pma1, we employed a screening approach by exposing the yeast haploid deletion mutant library (ver 4.0) to the selective plant plasma membrane H+-ATPase inhibitor PS-1, which we previously reported. After repeated screenings and verification, we identified two proteins, ALY1 and ALY2, that play a role in the regulation of intracellular pH when Pma1 is deficient. Our research uncovers a new perspective on the regulation of intracellular pH related to Pma1 and also preliminarily reveals a role for ALY1 and ALY2 in the regulation of intracellular pH.

Self-phase modulation (SPM) broadening of laser spectra was studied in a transmission mode in natural and synthetic diamonds at variable laser wavelengths (515 and 1030 nm), pulse energies and widths (0.3 - 12 ps, positively chirped pulses), providing their filamentary propagation. Besides the monotonous SPM broadening of the laser spectra versus pulse energy, more pronounced for the (sub)picosecond pulsewiths and more doped natural diamond, periodical low-frequency modulation was observed in the spectra at the shorter laser pulsewidths, indicating dynamic Bragg filtering of the supercontinuum due to ultrafast plasma and nanoplasmonic effects. Damping of broadening and ultramodulation for the longer picosecond pulsewidths was related to thermalized electron-hole plasma regime established for the laser pulsewidths longer, than 2 ps. Unexpectedly, at higher pulse energies and corresponding longer microfilaments, the number of spectral modulation features increases, indicating dynamic variation of the periods in the longitudinal plasma Bragg gratings along the filaments due to prompt secondary laser-plasmon interactions.

Vertical graphene nanowalls (VGNWs) have emerged as a highly promising material in recent years due to their exceptional properties, such as a high specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, scalability, and compatibility with transition metal compounds. These attributes make VGNWs a compelling candidate for various applications, including energy storage, catalysis, and sensing, fostering great interest in their use in next future commercial graphene-based sensors like optoelectronic and plasmonic devices, energy storage electrodes, and catalytic systems. Among the diverse graphene synthesis methods, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) has proven to be a robust technique for producing large-scale graphene films and creating VGNWs on diverse substrates. However, despite substantial progress in optimizing growth conditions to achieve micrometer-sized graphene nanowalls, the outcomes are often obtained through empirical approaches, and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physicochemical mechanisms governing nanostructure formation remains elusive. In particular, a deeper exploration of atomic-level phenomena, such as nucleation, carbon precursor adsorption, and surface diffusion of adatoms, is imperative to exert precise control over the growth process. Concerning the synthesis of VGNWs, hydrogen plays a dual role in the graphene growth process, acting as both a co-catalyst and an etchant for the nanowalls. Nevertheless, a thorough comprehension of the intricate growth process is still required. To address these knowledge gaps, this review paper aims to investigate the nucleation and growth of VGNWs using PECVD, with a specific focus on exploring the temperature effect on the graphene growth ratio and nucleation density across a wide range of temperatures. By providing valuable insights into the PECVD process, our objective is to enable the optimization of growth conditions for tailoring VGNWs' properties, thereby facilitating their application in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing fields.

Higher body weight is known to negatively impact plasma vitamin C status. However, despite this well-documented inverse association, recommendations on daily vitamin C intakes by health authorities worldwide do not include particular reference values for people of higher body weight. This suggests that people of higher body weight and people with obesity may be insufficient in vitamin C in spite of ingesting the amounts recommended by their health authorities. The current preliminary investigation sought to estimate how much additional vitamin C people with higher body weights need to consume in order to attain a comparable vitamin C status to that of a lower weight person consuming an average Western vitamin C intake. Data from two published vitamin C dose-concentration studies were used to generate the relationship: a detailed pharmacokinetic study with seven healthy non-smoking men and a multiple depletion-repletion study with 68 healthy non-smoking men of varying body weights. Our estimates suggest that an additional intake of 10 mg vitamin C/day is required for every 10 kg increase in body weight to attain a comparable plasma concentration to a 60 kg individual with a vitamin C intake of ~110 mg/day, which is the daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Thus, individuals weighing e.g. 80 and 90 kg will need to consume ~130 and 140 mg vitamin C/day, respectively. People with obesity will likely need even higher vitamin C intakes. As poor vitamin C status is associated with increased risk of several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, these findings may have important public health implications. As such, dose-finding studies are required to determine optimal vitamin C intakes for overweight and obese people.

In the same way as the realization of some of the famous gedanken experiments imagined by the founding fathers of quantum mechanics has recently led to the current renewal of the interpretation of quantum physics, it seems that the most recent progresses of observational astrophysics can be interpreted as the realization of some cosmological gedanken experiments such as the removal from the universe of the whole visible matter or the cosmic time travel leading to a new cosmological standard model. This standard model involves two dark components of the universe, dark energy and dark matter. Whereas dark energy is usually associated with the cosmological constant, we propose to explain dark matter as a pure QCD effect, namely a gluonic Bose Einstein condensate, following the transition from the quark gluon plasma phase to the colorless hadronic phase. Our approach not only allows us to assume a ratio Dark/Visible equal to 11/2 but also provides gluons and (anti-)quarks with an extra mass of vibrational nature. Such an interpretation would comfort the idea that, apart from the violation of the matter/antimatter symmetry satisfying the Sakharov’s conditions, the reconciliation of particle physics and cosmology needs not the recourse to any ad hoc fields, particles or hidden variables.

An explanation of the origin of dark matter is suggested in this work. The argument is based on symmetry considerations about the concept of mass. In the Wigner's view, the rest mass and the spin of a free elementary particle in flat space-time are the two invariants that characterize the associated unitary irreducible representation of the Poincar\'e group. The Poincar\'e group has two and only two deformations with maximal symmetry. They describe respectively the de Sitter (dS) and Anti de Sitter (AdS) kinematic symmetries. Analogously to their shared flat space-time limit, two invariants, spin and energy scale for de Sitter and rest energy for Anti de Sitter, characterize the unitary irreducible representation associated with dS and AdS elementary systems. While the dS energy scale is a simple deformation of the Poincaré rest energy and so has a purely mass nature, AdS rest energy is the sum of a purely mass component and a kind of zero-point energy derived from the curvature. An analysis based on recent estimates on the chemical freeze-out temperature marking in Early Universe the phase transition quark-gluon plasma epoch to the hadron epoch supports the guess that dark matter energy might originate from an effective AdS curvature energy.

We present a model of space that considers it to be a quantized dynamical entity which is a component of the universe along with matter and radiation. The theory is used together with thermodynamic data to provide a new view of cosmic evolution and an insight into the nature of dark energy and dark matter. Space is made up of energy quanta. The universe started from an atomic size volume at very high temperature and pressure near the Planck epoch. Upon expansion and cooling, phase transitions occurred resulting in the formation of radiation, fundamental particles, and matter. These nucleate and grow into stars, galaxies, and clusters. From a phase diagram of cosmic composition, we obtained a correlation between dark energy and the energy of space. Using the Friedmann equations, data from WMAP studies of the composition of the universe at 3.0 x 10⁵ (a=5.25 x 10^-2) years and at present (a=1), are well fitted by our model with an equation of state parameter, w= -0.7. The accelerated expansion of the universe, starting at about 7 billion years, determined by BOSS measurements, also correlates well with the dominance of dark energy at 7.25 x 10⁹ years ( a= 0.65). The expansion can be attributed to Quintessence with a space force arising from a quantum space field. From our phase diagram, we also find a correlation suggesting that dark matter is a plasma form of matter similar to that which existed during the photon epoch immediately prior to recombination. Our Quantum Space Model leads to a universe which is homogeneous and isotropic without the need for inflation. The thermodynamics of expansion is consistent with BOSS data that show the process to be adiabatic and the rate of expansion decelerating during the first 6 billion years after the Big Bang. However, it became non-adiabatic and accelerating thereafter. This implies an influx of energy from a source outside the universe; it warrants consideration as a possible factor in the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Ultra-low radioactive titanium alloy is a promising material for the manufacture of low-background detectors, which are being developed for experiments in astroparticle physics and neutrino astrophysics. Structural titanium is manufactured on an industrial scale from titanium-sponge. The ultra-low-background titanium-sponge can be produced on an industrial scale with a contamination level of less than 1 mBq/kg of uranium and thorium isotopes. The pathways of contaminants during the industrial production of structural titanium have been analyzed. The measurements have been carried out using two methods: inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and gamma-spectroscopy using high-purity germanium detectors (HPGe). It has been shown that the level of contamination with radioactive impurities does not increase during remelting of titanium-sponge and mechanical processing. We examined titanium-alloys samples obtained at different stages of titanium production, namely, an electrode compaction, a vacuum arc remelting with a consumable electrode (VAR), and a cold rolling of titanium-sheets. It has been found out that all studied samples will be a source of uranium and thorium contamination of the final titanium-alloys. It has been established that the only product allowed obtaining ultra-low-background titanium was the VT1-00 which is manufactured without master alloys addition..

Two pre-pulses focused at different positions and at different time moments were used to enhance THz emission generated by the main pulse. The emission of THz radiation from air breakdown regions of focused ultrashort fs-laser pulses (800 nm/35 fs) at shockwave front prepared by pre-pulses was investigated, and a 3D spatio-temporal control was established for the most intense emission. The laser pulse-induced air breakdown forms a ~120 micrometers-long focal volume and generates a shockwave that delivers denser air into the focal region of the main pulse for enhanced generation of THz radiation at 0.1-2.5 THz spectral window. The intensity of pre- and main-pulses was at the tunneling ionisation intensities (1-3)x10¹⁶ W/cm² and corresponded to sub-critical (transparent) plasma in air. Polarisation analysis revealed that the orientation of the air density gradients generated by pre-pulses and their time-space placement defined the ellipticity of the generated THz electrical field. The rotational electric current is the origin of THz radiation. The current is created by non-parallel gradients of electron density and temperature. Scaling dependencies of THz emission control are established.

Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) plays an integral role in breast cancer (BC), especially triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This subtype accounts for the most aggressive BC, possesses high tumor heterogeneity, is least responsive to standard treatments and has the poorest clinical outcomes. There is a critical need to address the lack of effective targeted therapeutic options available. PAPP-A is a protein that is highly elevated during pregnancy. Frequently, higher PAPP-A expression is detected in tumors than in healthy tissues. The increase in expression coincides with increased rates of aggressive cancers. In BC, PAPP-A has been demonstrated to play a role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as acting as a biomarker for predicting patient outcomes. In this review, we present the role of PAPP-A, with specific focus on TNBC. The structure and function of PAPP-A, belonging to the pappalysin subfamily, and its proteolytic activity are assessed. We highlight the link of BC and PAPP-A with respect to the IGFBP/IGF axis, EMT, the window of susceptibility and the impact of pregnancy. Importantly, the relevance of PAPP-A as a TNBC clinical marker is reviewed and its influence on immune-related pathways are explored. The relationship and mechanisms involving PAPP-A reveal the potential for more treatment options that can lead to successful immunotherapeutic targets and the ability to assist with better predicting clinical outcomes in TNBC.

We have shown that lipid-associated loci discovered by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have pleiotropic effects on lipid metabolism, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and CAD risk. Here, we investigated the impact of lipid-associated GWAS loci on the efficacy of rosuvastatin therapy in terms of changes in plasma lipid levels and CIMT. The study comprised 116 CAD patients with hypercholesterolemia. CIMT, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. Genotyping of fifteen lipid-associated GWAS loci was performed by the MassArray-4 System. Linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, and rosuvastatin dose was used to estimate the phenotypic effects of polymorphisms, and P-values were calculated through adaptive permutation tests. Over one-year therapy, a decrease in CIMT was linked to rs1689800, rs4846914, rs12328675, rs55730499, rs9987289, rs11220463, rs16942887, and rs881844 polymorphisms (Pperm&lt;0.05). TC change was associated with rs55730499, rs11220463, and rs6065906; LDL-C change was linked to the rs55730499, rs1689800, and rs16942887 polymorphisms; and TG change was linked to polymorphisms rs838880 and rs1883025 (Pperm&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the polymorphisms rs1689800, rs55730499, rs11220463, and rs16942887 were found to be predictive markers for multiple antiatherogenic effects of rosuvastatin in CAD patients.

This work discusses diatomic molecular spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma and analysis of data records, specifically signatures of cyanide, CN. Line strength data from various databases are compared for simulation of the CN, B2Σ+⟶X2Σ+, Δv=0 sequence. Of interest are recent predictions using an astrophysical database, i.e., ExoMol, a laser-induced fluorescence database, i.e., LIFBASE, and a program for simulating rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra, i.e., PGOPHER. Cyanide spectra that are predicted from these databases are compared with line strength data that are in use by the author for the last three decades in the analysis of laser-plasma emission spectra. Comparisons with experimental laser-plasma records are communicated as well, and for spectral resolutions of 33 and 110 picometer. The accuracy of the CN line strength data is better than one picometer. Laboratory experiments utilize 308-nm, 35-picosecond bursts within an overall 1-nanosecond pulse-width, and 1064-nm, 6-ns pulse-width radiation. Experimental results are compared with predictions. Differences of the databases are elaborated for equilibrium of rotational and vibrational modes and at an internal, molecular temperature of the order of 8,000 Kelvin. Applications of accurate CN data include for example combustion diagnosis, chemistry, and supersonic and hypersonic expansion diagnosis. The cyanide molecule is also of interest in the study of astrophysical phenomena.

This paper is devoted to compute the weak deflection angle for Kalb-Ramond traversable wormhole solution in plasma and dark matter mediums by using the method of Gibbons and Werner. To acquire our results, we evaluate Gaussian optical curvature by utilizing the Gauss-Bonnet theorem in the weak field limits. We also investigate the graphical influence of deflection angle $\tilde{\alpha}$ with respect to the impact parameter $\sigma$ and minimal radius $r_0$ in plasma medium. Moreover, we derive the deflection angle by using different method known as Keeton and Petters method. We also examine that if we remove the effects of plasma and dark matter, the results become identical to that of non-plasma case.

In the present work, three different atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) alumina coatings were fabricated using three fused and crushed alumina powders of different particle size fine, medium and coarse. The influence of the particle size on thermal properties and micro-structural features of the produced coating were investigated by thermal insulation test and detailed image analysis technique, respectively. The analyzed micro-structural features include the total porosity, pore size (fine, medium, and large) and cracks. All types of cracks were considered in calculations as voids and were evaluated according to their sizes as pores. All spray parameters except the particle size were fixed throughout the spraying process. The results revealed that the fine starting powder has produced the densest coating with the lowest total porosity and that the total porosity increases with an increasing particle size. This was expected as powders of smaller particle size will reach a higher in-flight temperature and velocity than powders of bigger particle sizes as long as the same spray parameters are applied. However, a detailed image analysis investigation on the three produced coatings showed that the fraction of fine pores and cracks versus the total porosity is substantially higher in coatings produced by using fine starting powders than those produced using medium and coarse powders. In this work, a connection between the thermal insulation and the porosity fraction, which includes fine pores and cracks, was revealed.

: Low-temperature growth of diamond films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is not so widely reported and especially its initial periods of nucleation and growth phenomenon are of particular interest to the researchers. Four sets of substrates were selected for growing diamond films by linear antenna microwave plasma enhanced CVD (LA-MPCVD). Among them, silicon and sapphire substrates were pre-treated with detonation nanodiamond (DND) seeds before diamond growth for enhancement of its nucleation. On the other hand, carbon nanotube (CNT) films on Si substrates were also used as another template for LA-MPCVD diamond growth. In order to enhance the diamond nucleation during CVD growth, some of the CNT films were again pre-treated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of diamond nanoparticles. All these substrates were then put inside the LA-MPCVD chamber for growing diamond films under variable processing conditions. Microwave input powers (1100 – 2800 W), input power modes (pulse or continuous), antenna to stage distances (5 - 6.5 cm), process gas recipes (with or without CO2), methane gas percentages (3 - 5%), deposition times (11 – 120 minutes) were altered to investigate their effect on the growth of diamond film on the pre-treated substrates. The substrate temperatures were found to vary from as low as 170oC to a maximum of 307oC during the alteration of the different processing parameters. Contrary to the conventional MPCVD, it was observed that during the first hour of LA-MPCVD diamond growth, DND seeds or the nucleating structures, do not coalesce together to make a continuous film. Deposition time was the most critical factor in fully covering the substrate surfaces with diamond film, since the substrate temperature could not become stable during the first hour of LA-MPCVD. CNT was found to be oxidised rapidly under LA-MPCVD plasma conditions; therefore, a CO2-free process gas recipe was used to reduce CNT burning. Moreover, EPD-coated CNT was found to be less oxidised by the LACVD plasma during diamond growth.

This work communicates analysis of aluminum monoxide, AlO, laser-plasma emission records using line strength data and the ExoMol astrophysical database. A nonlinear fitting program computes comparisons of measured and simulated diatomic molecular spectra. Predicted cyanide spectra of the AlO, ${\rm B}\ ^2\,\Sigma^+ \longrightarrow {\rm X} \ ^2\,\Sigma^+$, $\Delta {\rm v} = 0, \pm 1, \pm 2, + 3$ sequences and progressions compare nicely with 1 nanometer resolution experimental results. The analysis discusses experiment data captured during laser ablation of Al$_2$O$_3$ with 266-nm, 6-mJ pulses. The accuracy of the AlO line strength data is better than one picometer. This work presents as well comparison of the $^{27}$Al$^{16}$O line strength and of ExoMol data for spectral resolutions of 0.1nm and 0.07nm. Accurate AlO databases show a volley of applications in laboratory and astrophysical plasma diagnosis.

Since 2007, at the Electron Science Research Institute (ESRI) nano-fabrication laboratories, Edith Cowan University, Australia, we have devoted research efforts to the synthesis and characterization of bismuth-containing ferrite-garnet-type thin-film magneto-optic (MO) materials of different compositions. We report on the development and properties of highly bismuth-substituted iron-garnet thin films prepared by using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. We study the process parameters associated with the RF magnetron sputter deposition technique and investigate the results of optimizing process parameters and implementing several special techniques including the fabrication of co-sputtered nanocomposite films, all-garnet multilayer structures, applying oxygen plasma treatment on amorphous garnet layers just after the deposition process, and designing modifications of the annealing crystallization process and regimes for achieving the best MO properties. We demonstrated significant improvement in MO properties of Bi-containing ferrite-type garnet thin-film materials, including record-high MO figures of merit and improved conventional and un-conventional hysteresis loops of Faraday rotation. The attractive optical, magnetic, and magneto-optic properties obtained in highly bismuth-substituted iron garnet thin-film materials of multiple composition types are relevant in the context of manufacturing next-generation ultra-fast optoelectronic devices, such as light intensity switches and modulators, high-speed flat panel displays, and high-sensitivity sensors.

In this study, we discuss the properties of absolute void space or the universe at zero seconds, and how these properties play a vital role in creating a mechanism in which the very first particle gets created and we find the limit in which when the absolute void volume reaches will lead to the collapse that leads to the creation of the first particle. Later we discuss the standard model explanation through the elementary dimensions theory, as according to the elementary dimensions theory study that was peer-reviewed at the end of 2020, everything in the universe is made from four elementary dimensions, these dimensions are the three spatial dimensions (X, Y, and Z) and the force equivalent.

It is agreed that before the creation of particles, space was absolutely devoid of matter and radiation. In this study, we assume that the absolute void comprises four dimensions; three spatial dimensions and a force equivalent representing the factor of change among the elementary dimensions. Our hypothesis is based on the expansion of the spatial dimensions, and the subsequent space instability. We demonstrated that when the outward force equivalent strength exceeds a critical limit, it collapses inward to restore equilibrium in the system. Then, the void inside the collapsed force equivalent acts as a void in a confined system, the energy of the system remains conserved at all stages. With the decrease of the spatial dimensions due to the collapse the energy density increases, at the final stage the energy in the confined system is concentrated forming a solid state of energy. In which, this solid state of energy is a particle become the source of the elementary particles. The created high-energy sources are controlled by the internal and external forces of the source and all entities in its external force field until equilibrium is reached. The article gives the summary of Big bang theory and its problems which are further discussed in inflation. This article will help in understanding that how elementary dimensions play a role in the formation of elementary particles. The quark gluon plasma, inflation, gravitational collapse, and gravitational lensing provide evidence supporting the elementary dimensions theory presented in this paper.

This work communicates laser-plasma experiments in a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. Time-resolved spectroscopy measures the first four Balmer series hydrogen lines together with selected neutral and ionized nitrogen lines. Optical breakdown plasma is generated in a 1:1 hydrogen:nitrogen mixture at ambient temperature and 0.27-atm pressure. Time-resolved spectroscopy records emitted radiation with spatial resolution along the slit height for the H_α, H_β, H_γ, and H_δ lines. For 13 selected time delays from 0.25 µs to 3.25 µs and 0.025 µ gate-widths, micro-plasma diagnostics is evaluated. Of interest are the peak-separation and width of H_δ and width of H_γ for electron densities in the range of 0.1 to 1.0×10¹⁷ cm^-3, and comparisons with H_β and H_α diagnostics. Integral inversions interrogate spatial distributions of the plasma expansion. Applications include laboratory and stellar astrophysics plasma diagnosis.

This article presents analysis of carbon Swan, C$_2$, laser-plasma emission records using line strength data, C$_2$-Swan-lsf, and the ExoMol astrophysical database. Line-strength data fitting of 0.25-nanometer spectral resolution ExoMol-computed spectra for a 6,000-Kelvin temperature C$_2$ Swan system, ${\rm d}\ ^3\,\Pi_{\rm g} \longrightarrow {\rm a} \ ^3\,\Pi_{\rm u}$, $\Delta {\rm v} = 0, \pm 1$, reveals a temperature of 5,640 Kelvin. The six per cent lower temperature is associated primarily with the accuracy of the transition wavelengths in the ExoMol vs. C$_2$-Swan-lsf data. The analysis of experiment data examines spectra that are recorded following laser-induced optical breakdown in carbon monoxide. The laser plasma data are recorded with 0.35-nm spectral resolution. The temperature inferences are elaborated when using non-linear fitting with both databases. The results show temperatures in excess of 6,000 Kelvin for the $\Delta {\rm v} = -1$ sequence, and for a time delay of 30\,$\upmu$s from laser plasma initiation. The accuracy of the C$_2$ Swan bands line strength data is of the order of 1 picometer. These line strength data are also utilized for analysis of laser-induced fluorescence experiments that employ a spectral resolution of 5.5 picometer, and a temperature of 2,716 Kelvin is inferred. Accurate C$_2$ databases show many applications in laboratory diagnosis and interpretation of astrophysical plasma records.

A diffusion welding of coarse-grained and ultrafine-grained (UFG) specimens of titanium near-α alloy Ti-5Al-2V used in nuclear power engineering was made by Spark Plasma Sintering. The failure of the welded specimens in the conditions of hot salt corrosion and of electrochemical corrosion were shown to have preferentially intercrystalline character. In the case of presence of macrodefects, crevice corrosion of the welded joints was observed. The resistance of the alloys against the intercrystalline corrosion was found to be determined by the concentration of vanadium at the titanium grain boundaries, by the size and volume fraction of the β-phase particles and by the presence of micro- and macropores in the welded joints. The specimens of the welded joints of the UFG alloy have higher hardness, hot salt corrosion resistance and the electrochemical corrosion.

This work investigates spatial and temporal distributions of hydroxyl, OH, in laser-plasma in laboratory air at standard ambient temperature and pressure. Of interest are determination of temperature and density of OH and establishment of a correlation of molecular OH emission spectra with shadow graphs for time delays of 50 to 100 microsecond, analogous to previous work on shadow graph and emission spectroscopy correlation for cynaide, CN, in gas mixtures and for time delays of the order of 1 microsecond. Wavelength- and sensitivity- corrected spatiotemporal data analysis focuses on temperature inferences using molecular OH emission spectroscopy. Near-ir radiation from a Q-switched laser device initiates optical breakdown in laboratory air. The laser device provides 6 nanosecond, up to 850 milli Joule pulses at a wavelength of 1064 nanometer, and focal irradiance in the range of 1 to 10 Tera Watt per centimeter-squared. Frequency doubled beams are utilized for capturing shadow graphs for visualization of the breakdown kernel at time delays in the range of 0.1 to 100 microsecond. OH emission spectra of the laser plasma, spatially resolved along the slit dimension, are recorded in the wavelength range of 298 nm to 321 nm, and with gate widths adjusted to 10 microsecond for the intensified charge-coupled device that is mounted at the exit plane of a 0.64 m Czerny-Turner configuration spectrometer. Diatomic OH signals occur due to recombination of the plasma and are clearly distinguishable for time delays larger than 50 microsecond, but are masked by spectra of N2 early in the plasma decay.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry research laboratories reported multiple probes for ambient ionization in the last years. Combining them with a mechanical moving stage enables automated sampling and imaging applications. We developed a robotic platform, which is based on RepRap 3D-printer components, and therefore easy to reproduce and to adopt for custom prototypes. The minimal step width of the Open LabBot is 12.5 μm, and the sampling dimensions (x, y, z) are 18 × 15 × 20 cm. Adjustable rails in an aluminium frame construction facilitate the mounting of additional parts such as sensors, probes, or optical components. The Open LabBot uses industry-standard G-code for its control. The simple syntax facilitates the programming of the movement. We developed two programs: 1) LABI-Imaging, for direct control via a USB connection and the synchronization with MS data acquisition. 2) RmsiGUI, which integrates all steps of mass spectrometry imaging: The creation of G-code for robot control, the assembly of imzML files from raw data and the analysis of imzML files. We proved the functionality of the system by the automated sampling and classification of essential oils with a PlasmaChip probe. Further, we performed an ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AIMSI) experiment of a lime slice with laser desorption low-temperature plasma (LD-LTP) ionization, demonstrating the integration of the complete workflow in RmsiGUI. The design of the Open LabBot and the software are released under open licenses to promote their use and adoption in the instrument developers’ community.

The first detection of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity in the Gale Crater, Mars created a profound impact on planetary science and exploration. The unique capability of plasma spectroscopy involving in situ elemental analysis in extraterrestrial environments, suggesting the presence of water in the red planet based on phase characterization and providing a clue to Martian paleoclimate. The key to gypsum as an ideal paleoclimate proxy lies in its textural variants, and in this study terrestrial gypsum samples from varied locations and textural types have been analyzed by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. Petrographic, sub-microscopic and powder X-ray diffraction characterizations confirm the presence of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate; CaSO4.2H2O), bassanite (semi-hydrated calcium sulphate; CaSO4.1/2H2O) and anhydrite (anhydrous calcium sulphate; CaSO4) along with accessory phases (quartz and jarosite). The principal component analysis of LIBS spectra from texturally varied gypsums can be differentiated from one another because of the chemical variability in their elemental concentrations. The concentration of gypsum is determined from the partial least-square regressions model. Rapid characterization of gypsum samples with LIBS is expected to work well in extraterrestrial environments.

This paper investigates if the polar groups induced by a plasma treatment can increase the lap shear strength of laser joined metal and plastic hybrids. Optimal laser joining parameters for cold-rolled AISI304 – Polyamide 6.6 and sandblasted AISI304 - Polypropylene hybrids are developed. The OWRK-method was utilized to identify the change in surface free energy of a low-pressure plasma treatment. Plasma treated samples were joined and tested. The fractured surfaces were investigated via light microscopy and SEM. The arithmetic means of the plasma treated hybrids lap shear strength with polyamide 6.6 varied slightly but all measured values were within the range of the untreated samples. The lap shear strengths of the polypropylene hybrids were significantly reduced. This was attributed to an overaging and the development of low molecular weight oxidized materials which lead to a weak boundary layer. No correlation between surface free energy and the lap shear strength could be found.

We report a preliminary exploration on the low-pressure Ar-O2 plasma generated by low-frequency alternating current (AC) power supply in the low-temperature Plasma Experimental Power Supply (CTP-2000S) for the first time. The electron density 〖(n〗_e), the electron temperature 〖(T〗_e) and the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) are measured by the single Langmuir probe in this experiment. Experimental results show that the ne increases with gas pressure rising, while the ne decreases with the oxygen concentrations rising. And, a plasma density peak is also observed with the AC power supply increase. A comparison between this work and the previous results by RF source suggests that the low-frequency AC power supply may be very fruitful exploration to generate the low-pressure plasma.

This review focuses on Cu/TiO2 sequentially and Cu-TiO2 co-sputtered catalytic/photocatalytic surfaces leading to bacterial inactivation discussing their stability, synthesis, adhesion and antibacterial kinetics. The intervention of TiO2, Cu and the synergic effect of Cu and TiO2 on films prepared by a colloidal approach and other techniques is also reviewed leading to bacterial inactivation. Processes in aerobic media and anaerobic media leading to bacterial loss of viability on multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens, Gram-negative (-) and Gram-positive(+) bacteria are described. Insight is provided for the interfacial charge transfer mechanism under solar irradiation occurring between TiO2 and Cu. surface properties of 2D TiO2/Cu and TiO2-Cu films are correlated with the bacterial inactivation kinetics observed in the dark and under light. The intervention of these antibacterial sputtered surfaces in health-care facilities leading to MRSA-isolates is described in the dark and under the actinic light. The synergic intervention of the Cu and TiO2 films leading to bacterial inactivation prepared by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS), pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMSP) and highly ionized pulse plasma magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) is reported in a detailed way.