Comparative Observation of DC Arc Plasma Jets and Their Arc Root Behaviors at Reduced Pressure

Experimentally observed, results are presented for the DCarcplasmajets and theirarc-rootbehaviors generated atreduced gas pressure and without or with an' applied magnetic field. Pure argon, argon -hydrogen or argon-nitrogen mixture is used as the plasma-forming gas. A specially designed copper mirror is constructed and used for better observing the arc-root behavior on the anode surface of the DC non-transferred arcplasma torch. It is shown that for the cases without applied magnetic field, the laminar plasmajets are stable and approximately axisymmetrical. The arc-root attachment on the anode surface is completely diffusive when argon is used as the plasma-forming gas, while the arc-root attachment often becomes constrictive when hydrogen or nitrogen is added into the argon. When an external magnetic field is applied, the arcroot tends to rotate along the anode surface of the non-transferred arcplasma torch.

Evaluation of toxicity effect of Datura innoxia root extract to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were exposed 96 hours under laboratory conditions using static bioassays with continuous aeration to determine acute toxicity of Datura innoxia root extract. The LC sub(50) of the exposed fingerlings was 128.83 mg/L. The fish exhibited loss of balance, respiratory distress and swam erratically just prior to death

Development of arc root attachment in the nozzle of 1 kW N2 and H2-N2 arcjet thrusters

Arc root behavior affects the energy transfer and nozzle erosion in an arcjet thruster. To investigate the development of arc root attachment in 1 kW class N2 and H2-N2 arcjet thrusters from the time of ignition to the stably working condition, a kinetic series of end-on view images of the nozzle obtained by a high-speed video camera was analyzed. The addition of hydrogen leads to higher arc voltage levels and the determining factor for the mode of arc root attachment was found to be the nozzle temperature. At lower nozzle temperatures, constricted type attachment with unstable motions of the arc root was observed, while a fully diffused and stable arc root was observed at elevated nozzle temperatures.

Early response to nanoparticles in the Arabidopsis transcriptome compromises plant defence and root-hair development through salicylic acid signalling

Background: The impact of nano-scaled materials on photosynthetic organisms needs to be evaluated. Plants represent the largest interface between the environment and biosphere, so understanding how nanoparticles affect them is especially relevant for environmental assessments. Nanotoxicology studies in plants allude to quantum size effects and other properties specific of the nano-stage to explain increased toxicity respect to bulk compounds. However, gene expression profiles after exposure to nanoparticles and other sources of environmental stress have not been compared and the impact on plant defence has not been analysed. Results: Arabidopsis plants were exposed to TiO2-nanoparticles, Ag-nanoparticles, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes as well as different sources of biotic (microbial pathogens) or abiotic (saline, drought, or wounding) stresses. Changes in gene expression profiles and plant phenotypic responses were evaluated. Transcriptome analysis shows similarity of expression patterns for all plants exposed to nanoparticles and a low impact on gene expression compared to other stress inducers. Nanoparticle exposure repressed transcriptional responses to microbial pathogens, resulting in increased bacterial colonization during an experimental infection. Inhibition of root hair development and transcriptional patterns characteristic of phosphate starvation response were also observed. The exogenous addition of salicylic acid prevented some nano-specific transcriptional and phenotypic effects, including the reduction in root hair formation and the colonization of distal leaves by bacteria. Conclusions: This study integrates the effect of nanoparticles on gene expression with plant responses to major sources of environmental stress and paves the way to remediate the impact of these potentially damaging compounds through hormonal priming.