The paper presents the effect of cold plasma (RF-Ar low-pressure plasma) on Moringa oleifera seeds. Five groups of seeds characterized by the different exposure times (1, 5, 10 and 15 mints) as well as untreated seeds. The highest germination parameters were obtained for seeds treated for the exposure times of 1 min. Analysis of the data showed a statistically significant impact of RF plasma on the seeds germination parameters. The surface properties of the plasma-treated samples are examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Improvements appeared in the germination percentage and germination potential of the treated seeds and increase in the length of the plant for seeds exposed to the RF plasma at treatment time 1 and 5 min. from 4,32% to 26.40% for roots and from 15.91 % to 18.62 % for shoots, respectively. Also, it is observed that the weight of seeds increased for the samples treated at 1 and 5 min from 4.89% to 6.22%, and the weight of the shoots is increased from 6.19% to 6.93%.

Surfaces of optical elements are deposited by antireflection coatings (ARCs) to decrease the reflection of light. Surface needs treatment before depositing the ARC one of treatment processes by plasma for adhesion improvement and surface hardening. A comparison of RF and DC glow discharges treated CR-39 polymer films gives insight into the mechanism of these surface processes. The surface properties of the plasma-treated samples are examined by microscopy techniques include contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and refractive index measurements. Results show that the plasma treatment modifies the polymer surface in both composition and morphology. It is found that the surface wettability is enhanced after plasma treatment. It is found that, RF plasma is more effective than DC plasma in CR-39 surface modification, as it implants more oxygen atoms into the surface and makes the contact angle declining to a lower level.

Indoor radon concentration levels in a large number of dwellings in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Province have been measured. Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah is in the western region of Saudi Arabia. It is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, because it is the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The city was divided into four regions: western (contains nine sites), eastern (contains six sites), northern (contains nine sites) and southern (contains five sites). Radon gas concentration was measured using the closed chamber technique employing 2×2 cm(2) sheets of CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors. The detectors were kept for a period of 5 to 6 months from September 2010 to February 2011 in order to expose to radon gas. The results of the survey in the western and eastern sites showed that the overall minimum, maximum and average radon concentration levels were 20±1.6, 27±3.2 and 21±2.5 Bq m(-3), respectively. The lowest average radon concentration (20±1.6 Bq m(-3)) was found in Al Anabes and Al Suqya in the western region and Bani Dhafar in the eastern region, while the highest average concentration (27±3.2 Bq m(-3)) was found in Teeyba in the western region and Al 'Aridh in the eastern region, with an average of 21±2.5 Bq m(-3) in the western and eastern sites of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. Also in the northern region, the minimum radon concentration was 20±1.6 Bq m(-3) in Oyun, while the maximum was 42±1.6 Bq m(-3) in Sayyed al Shuhadd and Hai Nasr. In the southern region, the minimum radon concentration was 25±2.6 Bq m(-3) at Hai Al Hejrah, while the maximum value was 37±2.6 Bq m(-3) at Al Awali and Dawadia. The average radon concentration was 26±2.5 Bq m(-3) for Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah (western, eastern, northern and southern regions). The corresponding annual effective dose E (mSv y(-1)) to public from (222)Rn and its progeny was estimated to be 0.66 mSv y(-1) as an average value for Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. The authors concluded that all the dwellings monitored for indoor radon concentration and annual effective dose show values within the permissible level and this is a blessing from God that this area, which many visitors come from all over the world (to visit the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad), is safe. Consequently, the health hazards related to radiation are expected to be negligible. Occupants of these dwellings are relatively safe.

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