Inactivation of isolated fungi on Erythrina velutina Willd. seeds through atmospheric plasma

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atmospheric plasma application on the inactivation of fungi on the surface of Erythrina velutina seeds and on isolated fungal colonies. Two experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design. First, plasma was applied to the surface of the seeds using helium gas and atmospheric plasma for 3, 6, and 9 min in addition to the control (untreated seeds), constituting seven treatments with five repetitions each. In the second experiment, Petri dishes containing the inoculum of different fungi were treated with atmospheric air plasma for 3, 6, and 9 min (Air-3, Air-6, and Air-9) and were compared with untreated fungi in Petri dishes without treatment (control), totaling four treatments and five repetitions each. We found that the application of atmospheric air plasma to E. velutina seeds for 9 min had an antimicrobial effect on the fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp., Brachysporium sp., and Rhizopus sp. The formation of fungal colonies isolated from E. velutina seeds was also inhibited by 3 min of exposure to atmospheric air plasma, except for A. niger, whose inhibition occurred after 6 min of exposure to atmospheric plasma.

Emission Features and Structure of an Electron Beam versus Gas Pressure and Magnetic Field in a Cold-Cathode Coaxial Diode

The structure of the emission surface of a cold tubular cathode and electron beam was investigated as a function of the magnetic field in the coaxial diode of the high-current accelerator. The runaway mode of magnetized electrons in atmospheric air enabled registering the instantaneous structure of activated field-emission centers at the cathode edge. The region of air pressure (about 3 Torr) was determined experimentally and via analysis, where the explosive emission mechanism of the appearance of fast electrons with energies above 100 keV is replaced by the runaway electrons in a gas.

Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists

This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration of size-resolved (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, PM100) particulate matter (PM) in the Wieliczka Salt Mine located in southern Poland, compare them with the concentrations of the same PM fractions in the atmospheric air, and estimate the dose of dry salt aerosol inhaled by the mine visitors. Measurements were conducted for 2 hours a day, simultaneously inside (tourist route, passage to the health resort, health resort) and outside the mine (duty-room), for three days in the summer of 2017 using DustTrak DRX devices (optical method). The highest average PM concentrations were recorded on the tourist route (54–81 µg/m3), while the lowest was in the passage to the health resort (49–62 µg/m3). At the same time, the mean outdoor PM concentrations were 14–20 µg/m3. Fine particles constituting the majority of PM mass (68–80%) in the mine originated from internal sources, while the presence of coarse particles was associated with tourist traffic. High PM deposition factors in the respiratory tract of children and adults estimated for particular mine chambers (0.58–0.70), the predominance of respirable particles in PM mass, and the high content of NaCl in PM composition indicate high health benefits for mine visitors.

The bows and rings of dawn and dusk

The arcs of dawn and dusk are natural phenomena that define the boundary of the border between day and night. They are associated with the refraction of solar rays at high angles of incidence that converge to project an arc of light onto the back side of the earth's atmosphere. The rings of dawn and dusk, in turn, are associated with rays, also at large angles of incidence, which converge to project the image of the Sun. Arcs and rings become visible by scattering light by clouds or particles suspended in atmospheric air in the region in which they occur. Here we show a model that describes these natural phenomena and report the first-time record image produced in July of this year.

A Recent and Systematic Review on Water Extraction from the Atmosphere for Arid Zones

Water is essential for food security, industrial output, ecological sustainability, and a country’s socioeconomic progress. Water scarcity and environmental concerns have increased globally in recent years as a result of the ever-increasing population, rapid industrialization and urbanization, and poor water resource management. Even though there are sufficient water resources, their uneven circulation leads to shortages and the requirement for portable fresh water. More than two billion people live in water-stressed areas. Hence, the present study covers all of the research based on water extraction from atmospheric air, including theoretical and practical (different experimental methods) research. A comparison between different results is made. The calculated efficiency of the systems used to extract water from atmospheric air by simulating the governing equations is discussed. The effects of different limitations, which affect and enhance the collectors’ efficiency, are studied. This research article will be very useful to society and will support further research on the extraction of water in arid zones.

Water aeration researches using fine air bubble generators

The paper presents experimental researches able to demonstrate that the aeration installations with mobile fine bubble generators are more efficient than the classic ones with fixed, fine bubble generators. The paper develops water aeration researches by introducing two types of fine air bubble generators: I. Fixed fine air bubble generators, which generate Ø <1 mm bubbles; II. Mobile fine air bubble generators that move in the volume of water subject to aeration. The theoretical and experimental results are presented for the two versions. According to experimental data, aeration with mobile FBG is more efficient in terms of oxygen transfer from atmospheric air to a stationary water mass.

Assessment of the public health status under the influence of odourous emission components of food and agro-industrial enterprises

Introduction. This paper studied the impact of atmospheric air pollution by odourous emissions of enterprises on the health, quality of life, and various somatic and emotional disorders in the population of the neighbouring residential areas. Material and methods. According to official medical statistics, the analysis of the incidence rate of residents of a municipality with a population of about 50 thousand people, where there are objects of the agro-industrial complex and food industry that are sources of pronounced odours data. The study of the influence of air pollution with odourous substances on health, emotional state and quality of life was conducted by a questionnaire survey of residents living at various distances from enterprises that are sources of odours. Results. The incidence rate of digestive system diseases in the studied municipality is 1.6 and 1.9 times higher than in Russia. The incidence rate of endocrine system diseases and metabolic disorders is 2.2 and 2.4 times higher, respectively. The survey results showed the presence of several sources of “offensive” odours in the municipality, primarily the enterprises for the production of bone meal and instant coffee. The survey enabled to identify the priority pathologies in residents of the nearest territories: diseases of the endocrine system, digestive organs, and circulatory system, the frequency of which decreases with distance from enterprises, which is consistent with the results of the study on the incidence rate in the present territory. This may be because odours present in the atmospheric air contribute to the state of maladaptive stress, the main targets of which are the digestive organs and the endocrine system. Conclusion. Atmospheric air pollution with odourous substances is one of the indicators affecting the health of the population and making a significant contribution to the formation of the incidence structure of residential areas located near the sources of odours.