No abstract

In this study, spark discharges are generated in liquid heptane that is in contact with an immiscible solution of silver nitrate. The results demonstrate that the discharges produced at 22 kV voltage amplitude and 500 ns pulse width change the color of both liquids and lead to the formation of nanoparticles. Most particles collected from heptane are nanocomposites of Ag nanoparticles (<10 nm) in the hydrocarbon network. Meanwhile, the material collected from the silver nitrate solution is Ag nanoparticles (10–150 nm of diameter). At shorter pulse width (100 ns), the discharges generate similar materials in both liquids; however, the size distribution of these materials is smaller. Finally, a scenario of particle synthesis is proposed and discussed.

We studied the effect of oxygen on decontamination of cumin seeds by atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. A peak-to-peak 15-kV radiofrequency power supply at 17-kHz frequency was used to generate Ar and Ar-O 2 plasmas between two circular electrodes. Electrodes were covered by mica plates with a 5-mm gap between each plate. Seeds were exposed to plasma until they were completely decontaminated. To determine total bacteria content, the seeds were cultured using a pour-plate method on a nutrient agar medium. To evaluate bacterial destruction, concentrations of double-stranded DNA and protein were determined spectrophotometrically. Results indicate that the surviving mi-2 plasma in a timedependent manner. Complete elimination of total bacteria was obtained after 20 and 40 min of exposure for Ar-O 2 and Ar plasma, respectively. Our research shows that atmospheric pressure DBD plasma using Ar or Ar-O 2 gas may be a suitable alternative method for decontamination of cumin seeds, without resulting in any detrimental effects on food quality of seeds.

Optimization of photoelectrochemical water splitting by a composite of SILAR-deposited α-Fe2O3 thin film on a substrate of TiO2 nanoparticles.

Exosomes are nanovesicles shed by cells into the extracellular space. From an engineering point of view, exosomes can be assimilated to a complex system, that is, an arrangement of parts that together exhibit behavior that the individual constituents do not. The authors argue that the unique composition of exosomes as well as their involvement in cell-to-cell communication and monitoring a multitude of diseases, justify looking at exosomes, in the future, as universal sensors of diseases. After a short background on exosomes, the authors show how they are involved in the progress of different diseases.