Dry Treatment Research Articles

Effects of Rebamipide for Dry Eye on Optical Quality and Efficacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of rebamipide ophthalmic suspension on optical quality and efficacy of patients with dry eye under different conditions. Methods: A comprehensive search across five databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang) was conducted for studies published through May 13, 2024, focusing on rebamipide for dry eye treatment. Results: A total of 11 studies including 334 patients with dry eye were included. Tear breakup time (TBUT) values of patients with dry eye increased significantly after 2 weeks (standardized mean difference [SMD] =1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.05, 2.09]), 4 weeks (SMD = 1.26, 95% CI = [0.77, 1.75]), and 12 weeks (SMD = 1.04, 95% CI = [0.37, 1.71]) of rebamipide treatment. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with dry eye wearing soft contact lens (SCL) exhibited higher TBUT values after 4 weeks of rebamipide treatment compared with those who received rebamipide alone. In addition, rebamipide significantly improved fluorescein staining score of patients with dry eye after 4 weeks of treatment (SMD = -0.34, 95% CI = [-0.63, -0.06]). However, 4 weeks of rebamipide treatment showed no significant effect on Schirmer I test values (SMD = -0.04, 95%, CI = [-0.43, 0.35]) and higher-order aberrations (SMD = -0.73, 95% CI = [-1.77, 0.30]). Conclusions: These results indicate a significant improvement in the efficacy of rebamipide treatment for patients with dry eye, particularly for those wearing SCL. The effect of rebamipide on visual quality was found to correlate with the underlying dry eye status.

Changes in Nutritional and Techno-Functional Properties of Whole Grain Maize Flours Induced by Dry-Heat Treatment.

The present study was carried out to demonstrate the effects of dry heat treatment (DHT) at different temperatures (100, 125, 135, 150, and 165 °C) on the nutritional and techno-functional properties of white, blue, and yellow whole grain maize flour. Results showed that DHT increased the insoluble dietary fiber and free phenolic compounds of the investigated maize flours, while the bound phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and pasting properties decreased with the rising of the applied temperature. The application of DHT caused the most notable changes regarding the amount of dietary fiber. Content of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) ranged from 11.48% to 44.35%, 14.19% to 37.84%, and 15.15% to 45.86% in white, yellow, and blue maize samples, respectively. Furthermore, at the highest temperature applied in the DHT (165 °C) the content of soluble free phenolic compounds in yellow and blue maize flour samples was 1.2- and 1.4-fold higher compared to control flour samples. DHT significantly improved the functionality of maize flour in terms of water absorption capacity, water solubility, and digestibility, thus it can be effectively used to make up for the poor functionality of raw maize flour. This study shows that DHT at moderate temperatures (125-135 °C), could be a viable solution for the pre-processing of maize flour to enhance the potential for its utilization in the food industry.

Direct and Legacy Effects of Varying Cool-Season Precipitation Totals on Ecosystem Carbon Flux in a Semi-Arid Mixed Grassland.

In the semi-arid grasslands of the southwest United States, annual precipitation is divided between warm-season (July-September) convective precipitation and cool-season (December-March) frontal storms. While evidence suggests shifts in precipitation seasonal distribution, there is a poor understanding of the ecosystem carbon flux responses to cool-season precipitation and the potential legacy effects on subsequent warm-season carbon fluxes. Results from a two-year experiment with three cool-season precipitation treatments (dry, received 5th percentile cool-season total precipitation; normal, 50th; wet, 95th) and constant warm-season precipitation illustrate the direct and legacy effects on carbon fluxes, but in opposing ways. In wet cool-season plots, gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) were 103% and 127% higher than in normal cool-season plots. In dry cool-season plots, GPP and ER were 47% and 85% lower compared to normal cool-season plots. Unexpectedly, we found a positive legacy effect of the dry cool-season treatment on warm-season carbon flux, resulting in a significant increase in both GPP and ER in the subsequent warm season, compared to normal cool-season plots. Our results reveal positive legacy effects of cool-season drought on warm-season carbon fluxes and highlight the importance of the relatively under-studied cool-growing season and its direct/indirect impact on the ecosystem carbon budget.

Sustainable wood composite production using cotton waste and exopolysaccharides as green binders

Burning agricultural waste is a common practice among farmers in many countries, leading to global warming and climate change. Upcycling abundant agricultural waste will prevent incineration-generated hazards and provide sustainable and eco-friendly wood. An alternative wood composite was prepared using Aspergillus niger mycelium and exopolysaccharides (EPS) as a green binder. Autoclaving and gamma irradiation were both tested as wood pre-treatment to enhance binding. The mixture was incubated at 30 °C for 1 week. The results showed that wet pre-treatment using autoclaving resulted in improved wood binding compared to dry gamma irradiation treatment. The results show that the composite with the lowest water absorption was autoclaved before inoculation with 25 % EPS-induced Aspergillus niger, its tensile strength was 2.01 MPa and Modulus of elasticity of 1240.42 MPa and water resistance duration of 72 h. The biodegradation rate was 21.5 % for linseed oil-coated composite compared to 15.63 % for non-coated wood after 6 weeks. The samples demonstrated thermal conductivity as low as 0.06025 W/mK and linear Ohmic behavior within the investigated voltage range, rendering it a competitive insulating material. In conclusion, autoclaving and inoculum size play a key role in binding cotton wood waste. The key results render the optimized composite suitable for industrial applications due to its affordability, green manufacturing process, and potential for large-scale production.

Comparison Study Between Inherited and Biogenic Calcium Carbonate Formation on The Surface Roots of Eucalyptus Trees Using X-Ray Technique and Field Observations

Background: This study aims to explain the mechanism of formation of calcite and it's to shed light on the synthetic carbonate crystallization on the surface of roots due to this mechanism is poorly understood and highly controversial. It is accepted that calcite formed originally from parent rocks and not in soils. Method: The origin of calcite in calcareous soil, in Aldiwaniya city, Iraq was investigated, by selecting two soil samples, one from the contact zone with root surface and the other sample from bulk soil and out of the root system. Results: X-ray diffraction showed that the calcite has two types, first one is well crystallized and ordered, with only minor deviations in lattice unit cell parameters relative to typical calcite. The clay-sized calcite (active calcite) is enriched in A and C-horizons relative to biogenic calcite and this mineral exist in larger size separates, and it's clearly appears in the shape of white crystals around eucalyptus root surfaces as shown in graphs. The results of X-ray showed that the appearance of smectite mineral which was diagnosed by the peak 14.21 A° in air dry magnesium-saturated treatment which expanded to 16.28 A° when saturated with ethylene glycol, where clarity of peak was increased, Also, the results showed that the appearance of peak 14.21 A° in magnesium saturation air dried, as a shoulder on the peak of the mica (10.14 A°). Conclusion: In general, calcite minerals have characteristic x-ray diffraction peaks at the following angles: 29.5, 31.7, 34.5, 35.7, 47.3, 56.4, and 63.4 degrees.

Enhancing energy dissipation in mortar utilizing recycled brick fine aggregate impregnated with polymer emulsion under uniaxial cyclic load

Optimizing the damping properties of materials can enhance the energy dissipation capacity of structures and mitigate the negative effects of dynamic loads on building components. This study investigated the effects of the polymer emulsion-impregnated recycled brick fine aggregate (PRBFA) replacement rate, emulsion-impregnation treatment method, and emulsion solid content on the dynamic damping properties of PRBFA-prepared mortar (PBM). Combined with microscopic tests, the enhanced damping mechanism of PBM was discussed. The results show that under the same stress amplitude, the equivalent damping ratio and loss modulus of PBM increase with the PRBFA replacement rate and emulsion solid content. The drying treatment of PRBFA demonstrates superior damping characteristics of PBM, with the equivalent damping ratio and loss modulus increased by 84.9%–129.4 % and 71.0%–117.2 %, respectively, compared to those of PBM with undried PRBFA. The damping enhancement of PBM is attributed to the weak interface between the aggregate and cement matrix, which facilitates slippage and friction. The damping layer formed between the high viscoelastic emulsion and the aggregate, or between the emulsion and the cement matrix, is conducive to energy dissipation. The optimal PRBFA replacement rate for balancing the mechanical and damping properties of PBM is between 38% and 60 %.

Effects of Different Dehulling Methods on Physical and Chemical Properties of Tartary Buckwheat Flour

AbstractDehulling is a necessary step in the processing of Tartary buckwheat products. In this study, the effects of three different dehulling methods on the starch structure and physical and chemical properties of Tartary buckwheat are systematically analyzed. The results show that, first, explosion‐puffing dehulling treatment (EPT) destroys many of the starch granules, increases the average granular size by 261.7%, and decreases the ∆H by 66.5%; steam dehulling treatment (ST) and dry heat dehulling treatment (DHT) have no significant destructive effect on starch granules. Second, EPT increases the brightness and whiteness and decreases the Hausner ratio and Carr index of Tartary buckwheat flour, which gives Tartary buckwheat flour better fluidity and sensory quality. Third, EPT results in lower packed bulk density and smaller solubility changes with varying temperatures (50–90 °C), indicating that EPT is more applicable to the production of buckwheat tea. Fourth, ST achieves lower adhesiveness, higher hardness, and higher springiness, indicating that ST is more suitable for the production of buckwheat gel products. Fifth, DHT maximizes the retention of resistant starch (RS). ST maximizes rutin retention in buckwheat rice. These results can be used as a reference for selecting different dehulling methods for different buckwheat products.

On-vine drying (passérillage) improves the quality of “Hutai No. 8” table grape wine: Focusing on phenolics, aromas, color and sensory attributes

On-vine drying (passérillage) was employed for Hutai No.8 table grapes with different water loss rates and that are used for winemaking to alter the qualities of wine. Results showed that on-vine drying increased sugar content, thereby elevating alcohol and glycerol contents in the resulting wine. A moderate drying treatment (D2, 18 % water loss) produced wine with optimal red color characteristics. The D2 wine contained abundant individual phenolics such as caffeic acid, salicylic acid, resveratrol, p-coumaric acid, and proanthocyanidin B1, which exhibited strong positive correlations with color parameters (a⁎, C*ab and △E*ab). Similar trends were observed in aroma compounds, with ethyl acetate, ethyl caproate, diethyl succinate, geraniol, linalool, 4-terpinenol, α-terpineol, and β-ionone contents showing significant increment in D2, aligning with enhanced sensory evaluations of wines. Thus, improvement of wine quality can be achieved through moderate on-vine drying (18 % water loss)，serving as a valuable reference for table grape winemaking.

A Comparison Analysis of Four Different Drying Treatments on the Volatile Organic Compounds of Gardenia Flowers.

The gardenia flower not only has extremely high ornamental value but also is an important source of natural food and spices, with a wide range of uses. To support the development of gardenia flower products, this study used headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) technology to compare and analyze the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of fresh gardenia flower and those after using four different drying methods (vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), microwave drying (MD), hot-air drying (HAD), and vacuum drying (VD)). The results show that, in terms of shape, the VFD sample is almost identical to fresh gardenia flower, while the HAD, MD, and VD samples show significant changes in appearance with clear wrinkling; a total of 59 volatile organic compounds were detected in the gardenia flower, including 13 terpenes, 18 aldehydes, 4 esters, 8 ketones, 15 alcohols, and 1 sulfide. Principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and partial least-squares regression analysis (PLS-DA) were performed on the obtained data, and the research found that different drying methods impact the VOCs of the gardenia flower. VFD or MD may be the most effective alternative to traditional sun-drying methods. Considering its drying efficiency and production cost, MD has the widest market prospects.

ON FEASIBILITY OF AZEOTROPIC SYSTEM USING TO IMPROVE DIETHYLENE GLYCOL REGENERATION QUALITY

The main technological scheme for dry natural gas treatment is absorption drying with diethylene glycol (DEG) vacuum regeneration. The final stage of field development is characterized by low flow rates and high moisture content of the gas, leading to load increase on gas drying devices and the DEG regeneration unit, resulting in deterioration in the quality of the regenerated DEG. This is due to DEG contamination with mechanical impurities, organic salts, products of its resinification and decomposition.In conditions of declining gas production at the fields of the Cenomanian deposits of theFar North, one of the possible variants of DEG regeneration processes efficiency increasing is the transfer of glycol regeneration units to operate according to the azeotropic distillation scheme.The objects of the study are water-saturated glycol regeneration units used in absorption units of gas fields. The issues of technological efficiency of water-saturated glycol regeneration unit operation according to existing schemes are considered and feasibility of their transfer to the use of azeotropic distillation is given.

EFFECT OF FREEZE-DRIED SUPER RED DRAGON FRUIT ANTHOCYANIN DISCLOSING SOLUTION ON DENTAL PLAQUE INDEX

Background: Accumulation of dental plaque can cause of dental and oral health problems such as caries and periodontitis. Dental plaque is colorless so it is difficult to see visually. Super red dragon fruit can be an alternative disclosing solution because it contains. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to determine the content and the effect of anthocyanin disclosing solution freeze dry super red dragon fruit on dental plaque index. Methods: This research is a type of the Experimental Laboratory and Quasi Experimental design research with post-test control group design method. Thirty samples were used and there were three treatment groups: the application of aquadest, super red dragon fruit disclosing solution, and synthetic disclosing solution. Super red dragon fruit freeze dry was tested for antioxidants and tested total anthocyanin levels using the pH difference method at Unjani Pharmaceutical Laboratory. Research on plaque index examination was carried out in the Integrated Dentistry Laboratory Unjani. Dental plaque index assessment is measured using PHPI (Patient Hygiene Performance Index) method. Data were analyzed using Kruskall Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). Results: The results showed an anthocyanin content of 9.0764 mg/100 g and a significant difference in the anthocyanin disclosing solution freeze dry treatment of super red dragon fruit on the dental plaque index with a value of p = 0.000. Conclusion: In conclusion this research indicates that the freeze-dried super red dragon fruit disclosing solution contains anthocyanin and has an effect on the dental plaque index. This shows the potential of anthocyanin disclosing solution freeze dry super red dragon fruit can be used to detect and control dental plaque, but further research is needed to determine the length of time attached to anthocyanin disclosing solution super red dragon fruit to the tooth surface

Regional differences in leaf evolution facilitate photosynthesis following severe drought.

Characterizing physiological and anatomical changes that underlie rapid evolution following climatic perturbation can broaden our understanding of how climate change is affecting biodiversity. It can also provide evidence of cryptic adaptation despite stasis at higher levels of biological organization. Here, we compared evolutionary changes in populations of Mimulus cardinalis from historically different climates in the north and south of the species' range following an exceptional drought. We grew seeds produced from predrought ancestral plants alongside peak-drought descendants in a common glasshouse and exposed them to wet and dry conditions. Before the drought, northern ancestral populations expressed traits contributing to drought escape, while southern ancestral populations expressed drought avoidance. Following the drought, both regions evolved to reduce water loss and maintain photosynthesis in dry treatments (drought avoidance), but via different anatomical alterations in stomata, trichomes, and palisade mesophyll. Additionally, southern populations lost the ability to take advantage of wet conditions. These results reveal rapid evolution towards drought avoidance at an anatomical level following an exceptional drought, but suggest that differences in the mechanisms between regions incur different trade-offs. This sheds light on the importance of characterizing underlying mechanisms for downstream life-history and macromorphological traits.

Effect of prolactin concentration during the dry period on the subsequent milk production of dairy cows

Shortening the dry period has a negative impact on milk production of the following lactation. One possible explanation is that a period of low prolactin (PRL) concentration is necessary to restore mammary gland milk production capacity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of lowering blood PRL level on subsequent lactation milk production. In this experiment, quinagolide was used to inhibit PRL secretion during the dry period. Thirty Holstein cows were randomly assigned one of 3 dry period managements: a conventional (60 d) dry period (CD) and 2 short (35 d) dry period treatments (SD). Short dry period cows received either water (SDwater) or quinagolide (2 mg, SDquin) injections twice daily from dry-off until 14 d before calving. Cows were followed during the first 20 wks of the subsequent lactation. When CD cows were dry but SD cows were lactating, concentration of PRL was lower in the CD cows than in the SD cows. During the injection period, PRL of SDquin cows was lower than that of the other treatments and was greater in the blood of SDwater than in that of CD cows. After the injection period until calving, no difference in PRL concentration was observed between treatments. After calving, PRL concentration of the SDquin cows was greater than those of CD and SDwater cows. During the first 20 wks of lactation, energy corrected milk (ECM) was lower in SDwater cows than in CD and SDquin cows. The ECM of the latter groups were not different. During the same period, mammary expression of genes related to milk synthesis, pro-apoptotic genes, as well as the expression of the short and long isoforms of the PRLR genes were not affected; however, the expression of SOCS3 gene tended to be lower for the SDquin than the SDwater cows. Lowering the PRL level during short dry period restored milk production to the level normally observed after a conventional dry period, which suggests that higher PRL levels during short dry period are the cause of the lower milk production after a short dry period. Ultimately, strategies to lower blood PRL level may help the adoption of short dry period.

Proteomics and metabolomic analysis provide new insights into the drying changes of Agaricus sinodeliciosus

Agaricus sinodeliciosus is vulnerable to rotting if not stored properly. Locals in the Qinghai Province often dehydrate them by natural wind drying to prolong their storage period. We used proteomic and metabolomic techniques to elucidate the changes in the mushroom proteins and metabolites when they dry out. Notably, 1775 differential proteins were identified. Metabolic analysis revealed that the drying treatment resulted in 140 upregulated and 19 downregulated differential metabolites; most of the upregulated metabolites were associated with mushroom-specific flavour substances. These metabolites mainly included organic acids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and a small amount of active mercury. Combined proteomic and metabolomic analyses also revealed that the majority of proteins and metabolites were enriched in pathways such as membrane transport, organic acid metabolism, glucose, amino acid metabolism, and lipid and oxide phosphorylation. The results provide new insights into Qinghai mushroom sub-entity drying, which will be helpful in guiding drying processing technologies.

Efficacy of Atmospheric Non‐thermal Plasma Corona Discharge Under Dry and Wet Conditions on Decontamination of Food Packaging Film Surfaces

ABSTRACTFood packaging materials must be sterilized to prevent cross‐contamination of the product. Non‐thermal plasma (NTP) corona discharge can be an effective alternative sterilization method for packaging films. The inactivation efficiency atmospheric NTP corona discharge under dry and wet conditions against vegetative cells of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, spores of B. subtilis and Clostridium sporogenes and fungal spores of Candida albicans, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus niger on polymeric packaging films were studied. The maximum inactivation of these microorganisms was 5.58, 0.54, 1.51, 1.06, 2.47, 1.73, 2.80, 3.20 and 3.50 log, respectively. Microbial inactivation by the treatments was greatly enhanced under wet conditions. Gram‐negative bacteria were found to be more sensitive to NTP, but spores were more resistant than vegetative bacterial cells. Although fungi were less susceptible than bacteria in dry treatments, they became more sensitive than the Gram‐positive bacteria in wet treatments. Overall, plasma treatments under wet conditions achieved higher microbial inactivation and would be favourable over the dry treatment.

An integrated study of quality variations for Eucommia ulmoides Oliver staminate flower processed with different drying treatments by untargeted metabolomics coupled with chemometrics

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver staminate flower (EUF) has been increasingly served as a potential feedstock for nutraceuticals. An integrated approach of untargeted metabolomics based on gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) coupled with advanced chemometric method was applied to investigate the metabolic variations of EUF obtained from various drying treatments. The metabolomics analysis was conducted automatically in our newly developed data analysis platform AntDAS. Chemometric methods were further used to provide additional insight into the chemical differences of EUF. 34 volatile and semi-volatile as well as 89 nonvolatile compounds were identified and demonstrated significant differences among diverse drying treatments. Moreover, among which 27 volatile and semi-volatile compounds along with 35 nonvolatile compounds were verified qualitatively by standards. The results revealed that shade drying was more effective for the preservation of volatile and semi-volatile substances, including sugars and vitamins. Freeze drying was conducive for preserving nonvolatile compounds, such as iridoids, flavonoids, and organic acids. The content of alcohols, amino acids, and nucleosides was abundant in heat-pump drying, oven drying, and hot air drying, respectively. In addition, hot air, heat pump, and oven drying methods showed a moderate level of the majority of bioactive components and suitable for industrialization process. This work potentially highlights the possibility of using chemometrics in conjunction with untargeted GC-MS and UHPLC-HRMS analysis for quality assessment of EUF.

A manual operated and eco-friendly plasma-assisted polymerization method for enhancing surface weather resistance of insulation

With the increasing demand for high-voltage long-distance power transmission, insulation as the first protection of power system, faces serious challenges from material degradation caused by moisture invading, surface contamination and pollution flashover. Addressing the issue requires significant effort and may cause harmful by-product emission from large-scale wet type material processing. In this work, a novel eco-friendly dry treatment method based on manual operated Air/Alkoxysilane(PMDMS)/plasma is developed to enhance weather resistance and electrical performances of contaminated insulation. Tiny amounts of harmless reaction medium are transmitted to plasma through controllable air bubbling, and it implements precise dry type processing on material surface. Plasma pulverizes pre-existing contamination and synchronously activates hydrolysis-polymerization of PMDMS to deposit Si-containing protection layer (Si-O2, Si-CH3) on surface. It is demonstrated that the plasma treatment inhibits dirt pollution and electrical erosion of on-site 110 kV silicone rubber (SIR), and the electrical and hydrophobicity properties are both promoted. Flashover voltage increases from 4.65 to 8.71 kV, and water contact angle increases from 138.27° to 146.41°. Overall, this newly-developed dry portable plasma treatment strategy for insulation enhancement avoids environment pollution and economic losses, and provides a scalable avenue for on-site insulation recovery and service life prolonging.

Effectiveness of Dry Cleaning Treatments for Removing Milk Chocolate from Valve/Pipe Assemblies and Pilot-scale Chocolate Processing Equipment

Dark chocolate produced on equipment used to manufacture milk chocolate can contain milk due to cross-contact. This study evaluated the use of dry cleaning methods for removing milk chocolate residue from a butterfly or ball valve attached to a stainless steel pipe and from pilot-scale equipment used in chocolate manufacture. Milk-free dark chocolate (40 °C) was pumped through a milk chocolate-contaminated valve/pipe assembly after no cleaning, use of a pig purging treatment, or a 40 °C cocoa butter flush. Dark chocolate samples were collected at 7-sec intervals. Treatments investigated for the removal of residual milk chocolate from a conche and a ball mill included no cleaning, a 40 °C cocoa butter rinse, and wet cleaning. After cleaning, three batches of dark chocolate (40 °C) were processed in the ball mill and conche, and each batch was collected. Milk chocolate was processed on a 3-roll refiner, followed by push-through with dark chocolate (∼9 kg) with 0.3 kg samples collected at 5-min intervals. Dark chocolate samples were analyzed for milk concentrations by ELISA. Trials and analyses were completed in triplicate. Dark chocolate push-through alone resulted in milk concentrations ≥4,500 µg/g in samples obtained from the contaminated valve/pipe combinations within the first few seconds of collection, and ≥16.2 kg of dark chocolate was needed to obtain milk concentrations below the ELISA LOQ (2.5 µg/g). A pig purging treatment of the ball valve/pipe assembly resulted in milk concentrations below the ELISA LOQ. A cocoa butter flush of the butterfly valve/pipe decreased initial milk concentrations, but milk was detected until ≥18.7 kg dark chocolate purge. Milk concentrations in first batches of dark chocolate processed in a ball mill and conche without cleaning were ≥17,000 µg/g while the use of a cocoa butter rinse reduced milk levels in dark chocolate by ≥89%. Some dry cleaning treatments were effective at reducing levels of milk in dark chocolate due to cross-contact.

Surface Tuning of Transparent Electrodes with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Third Generation Photovoltaics

Transparent semiconductor thin films such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) are commonly used in optoelectronic devices due to their favorable properties such as high conductivity and transparency and suitable work function [1]. Their use ranges from light-emitting diodes through flat panel displays up to solar cells. In this context, surface stoichiometry plays a crucial role in influencing the final properties of the final device. Therefore, efficient surface treatment has been a topic in research for years, covering a wide range of approaches from wet and dry treatments. Among these possibilities, plasma treatment remains today the most effective. In several studies [2, 3], atmospheric pressure plasma shown an increase of surface energy, decrease the contamination while enhancing the work function of both ITO and FTO. Low temperature, fast processing times, and no special requirements for working gas are the main advantages of this approach.In this study, the authors compare the effects of cold (<100°C) atmospheric pressure plasma on ITO and FTO after air and nitrogen treatment to provide deeper insight into the interaction of discharge with semiconductive materials during treatment. A coplanar dielectric barrier discharge has been used for the surface modification (more information available in [4]). For this configuration both electrodes lay in one plane, and the discharge occurs on the top of the barrier. Chemical changes in the surface were also evaluated as a function of plasma parameters without any pre-treatment of the substrates. For both studied materials, similar trends were observed at fast treatment times (<60s of plasma exposure). The plasma treatment resulted in a decrease of water contact angle from the initial 90° for ITO to 10° after 30 seconds of exposure. For FTO, the initial angle 60° was lowered to 10° after just 5 seconds of exposure, and complete hydrophilicity was obtained after 30 seconds of plasma treatment. An interesting trend in oxygen concentration measured by XPS was observed for ITO but not FTO samples. From a physical point of view, the interaction with the conductive sample affects the orientation of filaments during the surface modification. Additionally, the results suggest that for small working distances, the physical regime can vary from coplanar to volume discharge as shown in Figure 1. All changes were observed with ICCD imaging (Pi-Max 4, Princeton Instruments). Regarding the physical changes over the surface, the plasma treatment resulted in decreased roughness with no significant effect on conductivity.In conclusion, the results obtained in this study can be utilized in the manufacturing process of microelectronic devices and provide a deeper insight into how the treatment process influences discharge parameters.[1] Armstrong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2003.08.067[2] Šimor et al. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1513185[3] Donley et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/la011101t[3] Chaney et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-4332(03)00617-2 Figure 1

Indigo (Indigo suffruticosa Mill.) seed germination to improve commercial viability

Indigo suffruticosa Mill., commonly known as Guatemalan indigo or anil indigo, is being investigated as a regenerative rotational crop that is used to produce natural plant-based dyes in the USA. The fashion and textile industry currently rely on harmful synthetic dyes to color fabric. To improve the viability of Indigo and to minimize production costs, methods to improve Indigo seed germination rates will benefit the quality, crop yields, and enable large scale field plantings.This study was initiated to develop a methodology of treating seeds to increase seed germination rates of Guatemalan Indigo and decrease fungal seed pathogens. All studies were conducted on the currently available commercial Indigo varieties. Sterilization and germination methods included: ethanol and bleach sterilization, mechanical scarification (coffee grinder, belt sander), gibberellic acid, dry heat, freezing, distilled water soaking, and boiling water. Each treatment was replicated four times for each of the various times and temperatures tested. The dry heat method at 80°C for 30 min resulted in the highest average germination rate of 83 %. Trials demonstrated that the dry heat method was the only treatment that resulted in higher germination rates than control treatment with an average of only 64 % germination. Dry heat at 90°C across all time intervals (30 min, 1 h, and 2 h) showed no results higher than 34 % germination. Pre-treating seed with 10 min soak in 10 % bleach resulted in complete control of surface pathogens with no decrease in seed germination. The boiling water method for 30 sec also lead to higher germination rates but may prove too difficult in larger volumes. Other methods of sterilization, gibberellic acid, freezing, mechanical scarification, and long-term soaking resulted in average germination percentages equal to or less than the control of no treatment. The dry heat method should be applied 2 h before planting. Applying a 10 min bleach sterilization step and dry heat treatment will greatly improve germination of Indigo and will allow for a commercially viable protocol to be created. This will allow natural indigo to compete with inexpensive synthetic dyes, enabling producers to direct seed indigo rather than costly transplant production.