Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) comprises an ensemble of ionized gas, neutral particles, and/or reactive species. Electricity is frequently used to produce CAPP via a variety of techniques, including plasma jets, corona discharges, dielectric barrier discharges, and glow discharges. The type and flow rates of the carrier gas(es), temperature, pressure, and vacuum can all be altered to control the desired properties of the CAPP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpecialized chemicals are used for intensifying food production, including boosting meat and crop yields. Among the applied formulations, antibiotics and pesticides pose a severe threat to the natural balance of the ecosystem, as they either contribute to the development of multidrug resistance among pathogens or exhibit ecotoxic and mutagenic actions of a persistent character. Recently, cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPPs) have emerged as promising technologies for degradation of these organic pollutants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe common utilization of antimicrobial agents in medicine and veterinary creates serious problems with multidrug resistance spreading among pathogens. Bearing this in mind, wastewaters have to be completely purified from antimicrobial agents. In this context, a dielectric barrier discharge cold atmospheric pressure plasma (DBD-CAPP) system was used in the present study as a multifunctional tool for the deactivation of nitro-based pharmacuticals such as furazolidone (FRz) and chloramphenicol (ChRP) in solutions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study presents an 86-year-old gentleman who was admitted under the acute stroke team for a possible posterior cerebral infarct. Radiologic imaging revealed that the diagnosis was in fact posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Through a process of elimination by means of investigations, the most likely cause was found to be mild hypertension on a background of vascular dementia causing a possible exacerbation of PRES symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe presence of organic compounds in drinking water is well recognized in many developing countries; however, the occurrence of organic contaminants in the groundwater of Saudi Arabia, which is the main source of drinking water in the country, is not well documented. A national comprehensive study was carried out to assess the occurrence of organic compounds in groundwater wells used for drinking water purpose, in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A total of 993 well water samples were collected from all 13 administrative regions of the kingdom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng
January 2012
Nine domestic and three imported bottled water brands were analyzed in Saudi Arabia for various physicochemical water quality parameters. The results of the analysis were compared with the drinking water standards set by different regulatory agencies. The levels of different physicochemical parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca, Mg, Na, K, NO(3), Cl, and SO(4) of all local and imported bottled water brands met the standards set by different regulatory agencies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Monit Assess
February 2010
Contamination of groundwater by nitrate is considered a global problem. Nitrates are introduced in the groundwater from a variety of sources like agricultural activities, poor sewer system, wastewaters, and industrial activities. In the present research, a survey of wells (n = 1,060) was undertaken in all 13 regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assess the contained nitrate (NO(3)) levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater samples were collected from 400 coolers in Riyadh area. From each cooler, one feed and one cooled water samples were collected. These samples were analyzed for trace metals like Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrophotometer equipped with ultrasonic nebulizer.
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