Optimised amine density via plasma treatment for covalent immobilisation of AMPs to promote osteoblasts and enhance antimicrobial activity.

Bisphenol S chronic exposure impairs pancreatic function and induces obesity in male mice independently of high-fat diet intake.

A comprehensive laser-induced plasma diagnostics of hafnium using fundamental and second harmonics of pulsed Nd: YAG laser.

The micro-newton cusped field Hall thruster is an electric propulsion device that employs microwave-assisted ionization control. It serves as an actuator in drag-free control systems, ensuring control accuracy and stability by providing continuously adjustable thrust over a wide range. However, a mode transition occurring during the regulation process can lead to a sudden change in anode current, degrading control precision and stability. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the underlying patterns of mode transition. This study examines the variations in internal plasma parameters and discharge characteristics of the thruster before and after microwave mode transition, primarily through probe diagnostics.Experimental results indicate that before the mode transition, the plasma luminous region is primarily concentrated within the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) area, approximately 1-3 mm upstream of the anode. After the transition, the luminous region moves further upstream, and the plasma density near the anode exceeds the cutoff density, dropping sharply along the axial direction. The fundamental cause of the change in electron heating mechanism is the alteration in the propagation characteristics of fundamental waves due to this plasma density variation.When the plasma density rises to the cutoff density, the R-wave and O-wave, which drive ionization, are rapidly attenuated or reflected. At this point, the R-wave cannot reach the resonance layer, causing the dominant ECR ionization to become ineffective. The ionization mechanism shifts from being dominated by the R-wave and O-wave to being dominated primarily by the O-wave. Consequently, the electron heating mechanism transitions from volume heating to surface wave heating. This research will provide a basis for subsequent optimization of microwave transmission in the thruster and for reducing the threshold at which mode transition occurs.

ABSRACT Introduction. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the issue of male reproductive health. The WHO guidelines state that the primary assessment of male fertility is reduced to a “basic semen examination” (concentration, morphology assessment, etc. of sperm). The study of DNA fragmentation, on the other hand, falls under the “expanded” list of tests. At the same time, a thorough evaluation of the antioxidant system’s activity and, in particular, the amount of oxidative modification products of macromolecules, is not included in this list. Sperm are sensitive cells to the effects of reactive oxygen species. Current research focuses on their condition and microenvironment, aimed at detecting the relationship between sperm quality and the development of oxidative stress. However, the question of whether to conduct an expanded and in-depth analysis in cases of normal sperm motility remains unresolved. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the parameters of the antioxidant system and products of oxidative modifications of proteins and DNA of seminal plasma and spermatozoa at a normal level of their mobility and varying DNA fragmentation. Material and methods. This selective pilot single-center cross-sectional study included healthy men with different DNA fragmentation and normal sperm motility. We assessed the oxidative modifications of macromolecules (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine; nitrotyrosine) and components of the antioxidant system (total antioxidant activity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, uric acid, and zinc ions) in seminal plasma and the cellular fraction of the ejaculate. Differences were considered significant at p<0.050. Results. Using the exclusion criteria, we selected 37 patients. In the seminal plasma of men with TUNEL>15, a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity (p<0.010), zinc ion levels (p<0.050) and uric acid content (p<0.050) was observed, while an increase in nitrotyrosine content (p<0.050) was observed only in the cellular fraction of the ejaculate. Conclusions. The obtained data indicate that in men, despite normal sperm motility, a high degree of DNA fragmentation is associated with abnormal head morphology, highlighting the necessity of conducting an “expanded” semen examination. Changes in the components of the antioxidant system are found not within the cells themselves but in their microenvironment, which may likely lead to an increased formation of oxidative modification products of macromolecules in sperm. This is important to consider when collecting samples for ART protocols, as well as in relation to the overall quality and reproductive potential of sperm, which is crucial when planning for pregnancy.

Abstract This paper proposes a novel method for detecting trace uranium in water, based on the synergistic coupling of the copper electrode surface microstructure with electrochemical enrichment. Microstructures were fabricated on the copper electrode surface using a nanosecond laser (10 ns, 1064 nm), after which the surface oxide layer was removed using dilute hydrochloric acid. Trace uranium in water was enriched using electrochemical enrichment technology and subsequently analyzed using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The U II 409.013 nm characteristic emission line was selected as the analytical target. We systematically investigated the influence of the microstructure fabrication parameters, electrochemical enrichment parameters, and laser excitation parameters on the enhancement of the U II 409.013 nm line signal, with particular emphasis on analyzing the relationship between the microstructure morphology and spectral line intensity. The experimental results demonstrated that the microstructures on the electrode surface enhanced the characteristic uranium emission line intensity by nearly one order of magnitude, achieving a detection limit of 20.0 μ g l −1 (relative standard deviation, RSD = 4%). By characterizing the microstructure morphology and calculating plasma parameters, the enhancement mechanism of the uranium characteristic spectral line was identified as a threefold effect: (1) the microstructures significantly increased the effective surface area of the electrode; (2) the field enhancement effect of the microstructures effectively reduced the plasma excitation threshold and improved the ionization efficiency; (3) the microstructures enhanced the electrochemical enrichment effect by improving the hydrophilicity of the electrode surface. This method provides an innovative analytical approach for monitoring heavy metal pollution in water bodies and for detecting radioactive elements in marine environments.

Abstract Global tungsten migration, thus erosion, transport, and deposition, in the EU-DEMO tokamak is investigated using ERO2.0 simulations for an argon-seeded ELM-free H-mode plasma scenario with expected 2 GW fusion power developed with the narrow-grid version of the SOLPS-ITER code. The tungsten erosion calculations by the plasma background include contributions from all ionic charge states of deuterium, helium, and argon, as well as deuterium charge-exchange neutrals. The latter is estimated in the framework of advanced kinetic energy spectra recorded at various poloidal locations across the device. Since the SOLPS-ITER plasma solution demands an extrapolation of plasma parameters up to first wall panels made of tungsten, different assumptions on the far-SOL plasma temperature profiles ranging from 2 eV to about 10 eV are applied in order to study their impact on tungsten erosion and transport on EU-DEMO. The simulations reveal that main chamber erosion is dominated by charge-exchange neutrals for very cold far-SOL conditions of 2 eV, while it is driven by argon ions and tungsten self-sputtering when going to higher temperatures. This is different for the semi-detached divertor, where the erosion is clearly dominated by argon ions in all cases. The ratio between divertor to main chamber source is found to decrease from roughly 10 to 3 with increasing far-SOL temperature. A net main chamber to divertor transport of tungsten is observed and explained by long ionization mean free paths of sputtered tungsten atoms, ranging from 50% and 39% for the applied [ T e , T i ] far-SOL assumptions.

Abstract Gliding arc air plasma exhibits significant application potential in energy, environmental protection, and other fields due to its non-equilibrium characteristics (high electron temperature and high concentration of reactive species). However, the spatial distribution characteristics of its electron temperature and electron density play a crucial role in determining plasma chemical efficiency. In this study, a multi-spectral imaging method combined with a collisional-radiative model was employed to conduct high-resolution spatial distribution diagnosis of the high-energy electron temperature and electron density of air gliding arc plasma, and the influence law of gas flow rate on plasma parameters was analyzed. The experimental results show that the electron temperature in the plasma core region can reach 4 eV, and the electron density is on the order of 10¹⁴-10¹⁵ cm⁻³, with significant spatial inhomogeneity. By adjusting the gas flow rate of the gliding arc generator, the distribution law of electron parameters in the gliding arc plasma generator can be significantly changed. The research results can provide important data support for optimizing the design of gliding arc plasma reactors and promoting their industrial applications, meanwhile, this diagnostic method may achieve effective parameter distribution monitoring in the industrial application of gliding arc plasma.

Purpose. To explore the specifics of microfluidic chip manufacturing technology using soft lithography, including the following stages: channel structure design; mold fabrication using various methods on glass, foil-clad PCB, and silicon substrates; selection of the required polymer, polymerization modes, mold treatment with a release agent, compound filling and subsequent separation, activation, and subsequent bonding of the resulting chip to the prepared glass. Methods. Photolithography experiments were conducted using a monochromatic Anycubic Wash and Cure 2.0 light source on foil-clad PCB substrates, glass slides, and silicon wafers. Formwork for the constructs was fabricated using a FlyingBear Ghost 5 FDM printer. Silagerm 2104 and 2106 were used as PDMS. A Diener PICO low-pressure plasma system with an air environment was used for the bonding process. Results. Photolithography studies were conducted to determine the exposure time, the method of covering the transfer template, and the substrate material. Experiments were conducted to create constructs and their viability. The effect of gas pressure in a vacuum chamber during plasma activation of the polymer replica surface was studied. Conclusion. The experiments identified a silicon substrate as the best master mold material for soft lithography. Parameters for simplified, cost-effective, and safe plasma bonding of PDMS and glass replicas were determined. The results can be applied as protocols for the fabrication of microfluidic devices by small research laboratories.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a fast, reagent-free technology for dye removal, yet its performance is highly dependent on the operating conditions and on plasma–catalyst interactions. In this work, a coaxial falling-film dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was optimized for the degradation and decolorization of organic dyes, with ceria (CeO2) employed as a catalyst. For the first time, CeO2 prepared via a supercritical antisolvent (SAS) micronization route was tested in plasma-assisted dye decolorization and directly compared with its non-micronized counterpart. Optimization of plasma parameters revealed that oxygen feeding, an input voltage of 12 kV, a gas flow of 0.2 NL·min−1, and an initial dye concentration of 20 mg·L−1 resulted in the fastest decolorization kinetics. While the anionic dye Acid Yellow 36 exhibited electrostatic repulsion and negligible plasma–ceria synergy, the cationic dyes Crystal Violet and Methylene Blue showed strong adsorption on the negatively charged CeO2 surface and pronounced plasma–catalyst synergy, with SAS-derived CeO2 consistently outperforming the non-micronized powder. The SAS catalyst, characterized by a narrow particle size distribution (DLS) and spherical morphology (SEM), ensured improved dispersion and interaction with plasma-generated species, leading to significantly shorter decolorization radiation times compared to the literature benchmarks. Importantly, this enhancement translated into higher energy efficiency, with complete dye removal achieved at a lower specific energy input than both plasma-only operation and non-micronized CeO2. Scavenger tests confirmed •OH radicals as the dominant oxidants, while O3, O2•−, and e−a played secondary roles. Tests on binary dye mixtures (CV + MB) revealed synergistic decolorization under plasma-only conditions, and the CeO2-SAS catalyst maintained high overall efficiency despite competitive adsorption effects. These findings demonstrate that SAS micronization of CeO2 is an effective material-engineering strategy to unlock plasma–catalyst synergy and achieve rapid, energy-efficient dye abatement for practical wastewater treatment.

Incorporation of antibacterial and antibiofouling properties into commercial fabrics is an attractive proposition considering its multifold applications in the health industry. However poor bacterial anti adhesion and low shelf-life limit their widespread applicability. Moreover, while antifouling at the liquid-solid can be addressed by hydrophilic properties, that at the air-solid interface demands hydrophobicity. This work reports the use of an indigenously developed low pressure plasma set-up to deposit amphiphilic coatings through simultaneous deposition of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (2E2O) and 1 H,1 H,2 H,2 H-perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFDA). Plasma parameters: deposition time, power, gas and monomer flow rates were optimized and the samples characterized using FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDX, AFM and Contact Angle (CA) measurement techniques. Samples were observed to inhibit biofilm formation from the viable cell enumeration method, while their biocidal efficacy was also established through antibacterial tests performed as per ISO 22196:2011. These hybrid coatings have potential applications in the healthcare sector as efficient antibacterial and antibiofouling surfaces.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-27048-z.

Based on the linearized Maxwell-fluid equations, this paper investigates how an electron–ion plasma responds to a short-term current variation with respect to the generation of electromagnetic waves. It is shown that Langmuir waves can be triggered in the high-frequency range, the direct conversion of which is directly associated with the generation of type III radiation. In contrast to the classical approach of Ginzburg and Zhelezniakov [“On the possible mechanisms of sporadic solar radio emission (radiation in an isotropic plasma),” Sov. Astron. 2, 653 (1958)], after which beam-excited Langmuir waves in a two-step process are converted into electromagnetic radiation, the presented mechanism works without any parametric decay and wave coalescence. Rather, electric field oscillations at the electron plasma frequency can be triggered by different pulses of the driving current, e.g., by the sudden (uncompensated) net current onset of the strahl at t = 0 in a core-strahl plasma or by given temporal current variations, which may occur as transient phenomena if the solar wind is disturbed by shocks, magnetic switch-backs or other discontinuities. The application of current pulses that imitate the beam–plasma instability may generate type III radiation with double-peak frequency spectra, often observed on satellites. Moreover, suitable current profiles enable the simultaneous excitation of type III emission and whistler waves. Measurements of Langmuir waves, type III radiation, and whistler waves on board various satellites in the solar wind, and in particular some of the recent results of the Parker Solar Probe, are interpreted in the light of the theoretical model. The fluid approach is confirmed by the results of fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, presented in the Appendix.

Abstract The ionospheric plasma parameters derived from the Langmuir Probe (LP) measurements aboard Swarm satellites (2014-2024) provide critical insights supporting Thailand’s upcoming 2026 SSACube satellite mission. This study investigates the long-term variability of ionospheric electron density ( N e ), electron temperature ( T e ), and spacecraft potential ( V s ) to establish design specifications for space weather instrumentation. All analyses utilized quarterly averaged data to emphasize long-term ionospheric responses across solar cycle phases. Strong correlations between solar activity (quantified by F10.7 index) and plasma parameters were observed, with N e exhibiting correlation coefficients of 0.95 across all satellites. Solar cycle phase analysis revealed significant variations, with N e values nearly tripling from solar minimum (75,000 to 90,000 cm −3 ) to the ascending phase (207,000 to 255,000 cm –3 ). The V s maintained consistent negative values with stronger negative potentials during solar minimum. Altitude-dependent analysis using data from Swarm-B’s higher orbit compared to Swarm-A and C showed decreasing N e with increasing altitude during descending and minimum phases, with this dependency diminishing during the ascending phase. The observed ranges of N e (6×10 4 to 3×10 6 cm –3 ), T e (2×10³ to 3×10 3 K), and V s (–3 to –1.5 V) serve as key benchmarks for SSACube’s instrument design. These findings provide a solid basis for ionospheric analysis and support Thailand’s space weather and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities.

Clinical value of plasma C1q, C3, and C4 in NMOSD and MOGAD.

Elemental fractionation (EF) is a non-stoichiometric effect in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), yet the relevant study is scarce due to the lack of proper way to indicate it and the adjustability of laser parameters. In this study, we developed a new method to calculate relative sensitivity coefficient (RSC), which is an estimation of EF, by applying multiple emission lines of each element to calculate plasma parameters so as to figure out actual concentration ratio values instead of spectral emission values for RSC calculation. Compared with traditional single-line method, this method obtained RSC values in reasonable range (0.1‒10) and circumvented the significant variation induced by different line-selection criteria in single-line method. The influence of laser pulse width (150‒350 ns), pulse energy (1.25‒4.17 mJ) and repetition rate (1/24000 Hz) with a fiber laser on EF was studied. Pulse width showed little impact in all the experiments, whereas pulse energy obviously affected the behavior of elements, which can be divided into three groups, namely increasing (Cu), declining (Fe, Mg, Si) and showing local maxima (Cr, Mn) when pulse energy increased. The difference of heat conductivity was deemed to be the potential reason. Lower laser repetition rate helped to reduce EF, which was ascribed to less heat accumulation. After evaluation with chemometrics model of Partial Least Squares, boiling point, melting point and vaporization heat were found to be highly correlated with RSC values, which supports the idea that thermal processes play the vital role in the origination of EF. The findings in this research help to further optimize and get better understanding of underlying mechanism of LIBS.

In this work, we investigate nonlinear electron-acoustic waves (EAWs) in the Saturn’s magnetosphere, modeled as a plasma system with cold inertial electrons, inertia-less kappa-distributed hot electrons, and stationary ions. Using the reductive perturbation technique, the cylindrical Korteweg–de Vries (CKdV) equation for small-amplitude EAWs is derived. The Bäcklund transformation is employed to analyze the CKdV equation. This approach yields novel analytical multi-soliton solutions in terms of Airy functions, with a recursive scheme for N-soliton solutions. Parametric analysis using Cassini data shows that only rarefactive solitary waves are supported for the system of interest. The impact of related plasma parameters on the profile of the cylindrical electron-acoustic soliton is numerically examined. These results elucidate nonlinear electrostatic structure formation in the planetary magnetospheres and provide a framework for interpreting spaceborne data.

The synthesis of nanoparticles in the plasma of a stratified DC gas discharge was carried out under typical gas discharge conditions, i.e., at room temperature and an argon pressure of 0.11 torr, with a discharge current of 2.5 mA. The particles were formed and grown due to the sputtering of a dielectric plasma concentrator, which was used for strata stabilization. The analysis of the material collected using double-sided carbon tape placed on the glass wall of the discharge tube was performed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy-dispersive microanalysis after the experiments. Three distinctive groups of particles of different shape and size were found, i.e., smooth spherical nanoparticles with a size of 10–100 nm, the main group of smooth spherical and dumbbell-like particles with a size of 200–500 nm, and micron-sized particles of complex cauliflower-like shape. EDX microanalysis of the synthesized nanoparticles revealed that the particles mainly consist of C, O, and Si, which proves that they were formed from the sputtered material of the silicone dielectric concentrator. Analysis of the particles and plasma parameters was performed, and a probable mechanism for the formation of such particles is proposed.

Abstract We incorporate field line curvature (FLC) scattering into a kinetic ring current model two‐way coupled with a global magnetospheric MHD model to investigate its role in SYM‐H prediction and global magnetospheric dynamics. FLC scattering reduces plasma pressure in regions where the ion gyroradius is comparable to the local FLC radius. This pressure reduction weakens magnetic tension, resulting in a more dipolar magnetic field configuration that, in turn, suppresses further FLC scattering. This self‐regulating feedback loop prevents excessive FLC scattering and mitigates the overestimation of ring current decay often found in models using empirical magnetic fields. We demonstrate that incorporating FLC scattering improves agreement with observed SYM‐H throughout the entire storm period. These findings highlight the importance of self‐consistent coupling between plasma dynamics and magnetic field configuration, offering enhanced predictive capability for space weather modeling.

Infertility is a widespread global problem, with a male factor contributing to approximately 40–50% of cases. Several studies have investigated the involvement of adipokines in reproductive functions, but only a few have investigated their role in the male reproductive component. Collectively, adipokines are present in human sperm and most of them are expressed in the male genital tract. Some authors report that adiponectin, in contrast with other adipokines such as resistin or chemerin, has a positive effect on spermatogenesis. Although the pathophysiological role of adipokines in sperm is not yet fully understood, they could influence sperm functionality and could be potential biomarkers of male fertility. High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation have been associated with several adverse reproductive outcomes, although studies have shown conflicting results. Another critical factor in male infertility is oxidative stress, which negatively affects sperm function and viability, also because it triggers DNA alterations, lipid peroxidation and alterations in protein expression, compromising fertilization potential. To better understand the correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation, adiponectin and oxidative stress and their role in clinical practice, we evaluated these parameters in the seminal plasma of males who presented to the infertility study center of Careggi University Hospital of Florence. By accurately evaluating these parameters and their possible correlation, it will be possible to personalize treatment for individual patients.

Abstract The 3D evolution of key plasma parameters in a vacuum arc strongly affects the arc interrupting capacity of vacuum circuit breakers. However, traditional 3D diagnostics methods are typically based on the optically thin assumption, neglecting spectral broadening caused by the absorption effect. This limits accurate identification of internal radiation characteristics and spatial parameter distributions of the arc, thereby hindering the deeper understanding of arc evolution mechanisms. To address this issue, we proposed a 3D absorption correction algorithm considering spectral broadening. The algorithm first reconstructed the 3D emission coefficients of characteristic spectral lines at 510.6 nm and 515.3 nm using a tomography reconstruction method, and then calculated the upper-level atomic densities of characteristic spectral lines as well as the electron temperature. A modified collisional radiative model (CRM) was then employed to compute the electron density and population distribution, from which the line profiles and full width at half maximum (FWHM) were derived. Based on these parameters, the absorption coefficients and optical depth were obtained, and the Lambert–Beer law was applied to correct the radiation intensity. The results indicate that, after 3D absorption-corrected reconstruction with spectral broadening, the electron temperature, electron density, and atomic population in the axial magnetic field arc exhibit significant asymmetry. The peak electron temperature reaches 13 500 K, and the maximum electron density is 1.29 × 10 23 m −3 . Spectral broadening leads to a decrease in electron temperature, while its effect on electron density is minimal. In addition, the upper-level atomic densities are more sensitive to spectral broadening than those of the lower levels.