Strong Action Research Articles

The therapeutic elements of flamenco dance

Flamenco is a versatile Spanish art form which is characterised by a strong emotional expression, intensive rhythms, confident attitude, and distinctive actions of clapping, stomping and rounded movement of wrists. All this wrapped up in aesthetics that celebrate both feminine and masculine aspects. The therapeutic effects of these components of flamenco have not been discovered only by the flamenco enthusiasts and professionals worldwide, but also by the professionals of the therapeutic field. The purpose of this study under qualitative heuristic approach, is to use the method of introspection and bibliographical revision to present the therapeutic elements of flamenco, named herein as: (a) Expression of emotions and communication, (b) Rhythm, (c) Materials & Visuals and (d) Movement, body posture and attitude. The objective is to benefit both the therapeutic and pedagogical fields by introducing and deepening the knowledge on the potential of flamenco in benefitting different groups of people.

Thymol, a Monoterpenoid within Polymeric Iodophor Formulations and Their Antimicrobial Activities

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emanating threat to humanity’s future. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics against microbial infections is declining at an alarming rate. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates are soaring, particularly among immunocompromised populations. Exploring alternative solutions, such as medicinal plants and iodine, shows promise in combating resistant pathogens. Such antimicrobials could effectively inhibit microbial proliferation through synergistic combinations. In our study, we prepared a formulation consisting of Aloe barbadensis Miller (AV), Thymol, iodine (I2), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Various analytical methods including SEM/EDS, UV-vis, Raman, FTIR, and XRD were carried out to verify the purity, composition, and morphology of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of this formulation against 10 selected reference strains using impregnated sterile discs, surgical sutures, gauze bandages, surgical face masks, and KN95 masks. The antimicrobial properties of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 were assessed through disc diffusion methods against 10 reference strains in comparison with two common antibiotics. The 25-month-old formulation exhibited slightly lower inhibitory zones, indicating changes in the sustained-iodine-release reservoir. Our findings confirm AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a potent antifungal and antibacterial agent against the reference strains, demonstrating particularly strong inhibitory action on surgical sutures, cotton bandages, and face masks. These results enable the potential use of the formulation AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a promising antimicrobial agent against wound infections and as a spray-on contact-killing agent.

A Regulatory Mechanism on Pathways: Modulating Roles of MYC2 and BBX21 in the Flavonoid Network.

Genes of metabolic pathways are individually or collectively regulated, often via unclear mechanisms. The anthocyanin pathway, well known for its regulation by the MYB/bHLH/WDR (MBW) complex but less well understood in its connections to MYC2, BBX21, SPL9, PIF3, and HY5, is investigated here for its direct links to the regulators. We show that MYC2 can activate the structural genes of the anthocyanin pathway but also suppress them (except F3'H) in both Arabidopsis and Oryza when a local MBW complex is present. BBX21 or SPL9 can activate all or part of the structural genes, respectively, but the effects can be largely overwritten by the local MBW complex. HY5 primarily influences expressions of the early genes (CHS, CHI, and F3H). TF-TF relationships can be complex here: PIF3, BBX21, or SPL9 can mildly activate MYC2; MYC2 physically interacts with the bHLH (GL3) of the MBW complex and/or competes with strong actions of BBX21 to lessen a stimulus to the anthocyanin pathway. The dual role of MYC2 in regulating the anthocyanin pathway and a similar role of BBX21 in regulating BAN reveal a network-level mechanism, in which pathways are modulated locally and competing interactions between modulators may tone down strong environmental signals before they reach the network.

Local Governments’ Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change in Ghana: Evidence From Bongo District

Global environmental policies require strong local actions to make an impact. However, the capacity for local action and impact are often taken for granted. This paper examines the institutional capacity of the Bongo district assembly to support the livelihood adaptation capacity of rural smallholder farmers. Twenty key informant interviews were done, and five focus group discussions were also conducted in five communities. The paper finds that the local government is too weak to facilitate climate change adaptation at the local level due to four institutional barriers: politics of climate change, barriers relating to centralized planning, limited funding stream, and absence of skilled manpower.

Topical isoniazid as a novel treatment for melasma: A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial.

Melasma is a chronic hyperpigmentation disorder, and its treatment poses a challenge to dermatologists due to its chronicity and resistance to conventional therapies. Oral isoniazid is used for the treatment of tuberculosis. One of us had previously showed that topical isoniazid exerts a strong depigmenting action in animal models. In this clinical trial, we assessed the therapeutic effect of topical isoniazid on melasma. Twenty female patients suffering from epidermal melasma were enrolled and divided equally into two groups. The treatment group received topical isoniazid 10%, and the control group received the cold cream vehicle as the placebo. All participants were advised to avoid sunlight and used SPF 50 sunscreen. Patients applied topical agents once daily at night for 3 months. The melanin and erythema indices were measured by colorimetric evaluations at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. At these time points, the (mMASI) score was also determined, as was the subjective evaluation through Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) scores. Blood tests were performed to evaluate CBC and the liver enzymes. All patients completed the 12-week study. In the treatment group, a significant decrease in melanin index from 63.77 ± 6.27 at baseline to 55.92 ± 5.79 was recorded (p = 0.001). Very minimal clinical changes were also seen in the control group and melanin index was decreased from 62.65 ± 2.23 to 61.25 ± 2.34 (p = 0.004). Clinically significant differences were observed in the rate of changes between both groups. These findings indicate that topical isoniazid has significant depigmenting effects compared to the placebo (p = 0.001). The erythema index remained unchanged in both groups. In the treatment group, the mMASI score was 5.63 ± 3.28 at baseline and 2.13 ± 1.71 at the last follow-up, significantly reduced compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The MELASQOL score indicated a significant improvement in the quality of life in the treatment group. This clinical trial shows for the first time that topical isoniazid is effective in treating melasma. Further clinical trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of topical isoniazid in comparison with other skin-depigmenting compounds.

The Impact of Stress and Social Determinants on Diet in Cardiovascular Prevention in Young Women.

The prevention of cardiovascular diseases is a fundamental pillar for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by non-communicable diseases. Social determinants, such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood, physical environment, employment, social support networks, and access to health care, play a crucial role in influencing health outcomes and health inequities within populations. Social determinants and stress in women are interconnected factors that can significantly impact women's health and well-being. Pregnancy is a good time to engage young women and introduce them to beneficial behaviors, such as adopting essential life skills, especially diet, and learning stress management techniques. Stress influences diet, and women are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors such as emotional eating or coping with stress with food. Strong action is needed to improve women's lifestyle starting at a young age considering that this lays the foundation for a lower cardiovascular risk in adults and the elderly. The objective of this review is to examine cardiovascular primary prevention in young healthy women, focusing particularly on unresolved issues and the influence of social determinants, as well as the correlation with stressors and their influence on diet.

Behavior of steel building structures subjected to strong and benchmark seismic actions: An overview of damage from the observations of the last 40 years

It is well known that steel structures have high ductility capacity and high strength to weight ratio, which, theoretically, by nature makes them, the most efficient seismic structural system against strong earthquakes. However, the recorded experience of failures which have befallen over the last 40 years, as a result of strong seismic actions, suggests that this by itself isn't always sufficient. Generally, it is essential that an appropriate and preferred conformation and configuration of the structural system and in particular of its joints should be adopted. In any case, the steel building structures showed local failures without general and complete collapses. The work in this paper presents the seismic performance focused on steel building structures, as revealed by strong earthquakes, such as those of Mexico (1985), Northridge (1994), USA, Kobe (1995), Japan, Christchurch (2010-2011), N. Zealand, which affected and changed the design of metal structures, as well as other earthquakes like Maule (2010), Chile, Emilia (2012), Amatrice (2016), Italy, which completed the picture in the better understanding of failures and their reasons. On the basis of the lessons learnt from, a discussion for avoiding such situations are commented on and provided in this work.

Synergistic photogeneration of nitric oxide and singlet oxygen by nanofiber membranes via blue and/or red-light irradiation: Strong antibacterial action

New functionalities were added to biocompatible polycaprolactone nanofiber materials through the co-encapsulation of chlorin e6 (Ce6) photogenerating singlet oxygen and absorbing light both in the blue and red regions, and using 4-(N-(aminopropyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-4-nitrobenzenamine)-7-nitrobenzofurazan, NO-photodonor (NOP), absorbing light in the blue region of visible light. Time-resolved and steady-state luminescence, as well as absorption spectroscopy, were used to monitor both photoactive compounds. The nanofiber material exhibited photogeneration of antibacterial species, specifically nitric oxide and singlet oxygen, upon visible light excitation. This process resulted in the efficient photodynamic inactivation of E. coli not only close to nanofiber material surfaces due to short-lived singlet oxygen, but even at longer distances due to diffusion of longer-lived nitric oxide. Interestingly, nitric oxide was also formed by processes involving photosensitization of Ce6 during irradiation by red light. This is promising for numerous applications, especially in the biomedical field, where strictly local photogeneration of NO and its therapeutic benefits can be applied using excitation in the “human body phototherapeutic window” (600–850 nm). Generally, due to the high permeability of red light, the photogeneration of NO can be achieved in any aqueous environment where direct excitation of NOP to its absorbance in the blue region is limited.

Suspended particulate matter response to extreme forcings in the Bay of Seine

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report of 2023 alerts about an increase in the occurrence and intensity of extreme hydro-meteorological events such as storms and extreme river flows, i.e. drought and floods. Investigating the occurrence of these extreme events in the past 15 years and their impacts on sediment dynamics will provide crucial knowledge for anticipating future trajectories of coastal ecosystems. Time series from in situ observations are analyzed to identify extreme events of river flows and waves and examine their impact on Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) dynamics in a highly turbid coastal area equipped with a high frequency in situ monitoring station at the interface between the Seine Estuary and the Bay of Seine (northern coast of France). Extreme river flow and wave orbital velocity events are investigated because high river discharge contributes to deliver large amounts of SPM concentration to the bay and strong wave action within the bay can lead to erosion and resuspension of bottom sediments. An original detection method is proposed, based on high frequency in situ observations combined with satellite and model data from 2006 to 2022. Extreme forcings are examined through their specific characteristics (high intensity, long duration, season of occurrence, succession of events), their impact on SPM concentration in the coastal environment and the comparison to mean seasonal dynamics. A positive relationship exists between SPM concentration and high SPM spatial extent and forcing intensity. Extremes are more intense in winter for both forcings and generate larger SPM concentration anomalies. However, extreme events during late spring/summer, periods or mean low forcing intensity, are demonstrated to generate SPM concentration anomalies up to 4 times larger than the monthly mean value, hence possibly strongly impacting the system during these atypical periods. This is particularly important as analyzing the distribution of extreme river flow events over the last 60 years indicated an increase in their occurrence and more important the progressive occurrence of high intensity extreme events during spring/summer periods.

Reconnecting with the social-political and ecological-economic reality

This article critically reflects on the research portfolio by the ecological economist Clive Spash who has helped pinpoint specific and systemic blindspots in a political-economic system that prioritises myopic development trajectories divorced from ecological reality. Drawing on his published work and collaborations it seeks to make sense of the slow, or absent, progress in averting global warming and ecological destruction. Three strands of key concern and influence are identified and discussed with reference to their orientation and explicit expression regarding Ontology, Epistemology and Axiology. Some complementary points about indeterminacy and holism are presented to further strengthen the arguments for a transition towards a social-ecological economic system that puts values and principles back into focus. While Clive Spash's work has made a strong case within the economic community and appealing to ecology professionals, the value-myopia or value-vacuum has to be tackled across all disciplines, politics and society for a meaningful and urgently required transformation in decision making. Hence, the article finishes with some suggestions for the (higher) education system, and highlights the importance of simplicity and sufficiency, as well as strong sustainability-driven citizen and community action as necessary catalysts of change in this social-ecological transformation.

Application of Response Surface-Corrected Finite Element Model and Bayesian Neural Networks to Predict the Dynamic Response of Forth Road Bridges under Strong Winds.

With the rapid development of big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other technological advancements, digital twin (DT) technology is increasingly being applied to the field of bridge structural health monitoring. Achieving the precise implementation of DT relies significantly on a dual-drive approach, combining the influence of both physical model-driven and data-driven methodologies. In this paper, two methods are proposed to predict the displacement and dynamic response of structures under strong winds, namely, a Bayesian Neural Network (BNN) model based on Bayesian inference and a finite element model (FEM) method modified based on genetic algorithms (GAs) and multi-objective optimization (MOO) using response surface methodology (RSM). The characteristics of these approaches in predicting the dynamic response of large-span bridges are explored, and a comparative analysis is conducted to evaluate their differences in computational accuracy, efficiency, model complexity, interpretability, and comprehensiveness. The characteristics of the two methods were evaluated using data collected on the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) as an example under unusual weather conditions with strong wind action. This work proposes a dual-driven approach, integrating machine learning and FEM with GNSS and Earth Observation for Structural Health Monitoring (GeoSHM), to bridge the gap in the limited application of dual-driven methods primarily applied for small- and medium-sized bridges to large-span bridge structures. The research results show that the BNN model achieved higher R2 values for predicting the Y and Z displacements (0.9073 and 0.7969, respectively) compared to the FEM model (0.6167 and 0.6283). The BNN model exhibited significantly faster computation, taking only 20 s, while the FEM model required 5 h. However, the physical model provided higher interpretability and the ability to predict the dynamic response of the entire structure. These findings help to promote the further integration of these two approaches to obtain an accurate and comprehensive dual-driven approach for predicting the structural dynamic response of large-span bridge structures affected by strong wind loading.

Facile Fabrication of ZnO Nanorods with Extremely Strong Photocatalytic Performance and Antibacterial Activity

Development of nanomaterials with strong antibacterial action and highly enhanced photocatalytic activity for water purification is of immense interest. ZnO nanorods, with extremely enhanced solar-driven photocatalytic performance and good antibacterial activity, have been fabricated by facile chemical route. The structural properties of the nanomaterial were thoroughly characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, HRTEM, STEM-HAADF, elemental profiling, XRD and Raman spectroscopy, while the optical and photocatalytic properties were studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. TEM and FESEM showed nanorods with average width and length as 80[Formula: see text]nm and 178[Formula: see text]nm. XRD showed wurtzite ZnO with 27[Formula: see text]nm crystallite size. PL analysis of ZnO nanorods showed peaks at 415[Formula: see text]nm, 439[Formula: see text]nm, 499[Formula: see text]nm and 561[Formula: see text]nm. The fabricated ZnO nanorods exhibited extremely enhanced photocatalytic performance with very high rate constant of 0.201[Formula: see text]min[Formula: see text] for degradation of organic pollutant MB in water under only 15[Formula: see text]min of solar exposure. ZnO nanorods completely inhibited growth of Bacillus oceanisediminis and Escherichia coli at 500[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL and 700[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL, respectively. The origin of antibacterial behavior of ZnO nanorods against B. oceanisediminis and E. coli has been investigated using histidine for scavenging ROS, morphological change by SEM and agarose gel electrophoresis. Our results showed that ROS-induced oxidative stress damages cell wall, evident from SEM, and leads to fragmentation of DNA both of which contribute to the antibacterial action of ZnO nanorods. The tentative mechanism of extremely strong photodegradation performance of ZnO nanorods has also been proposed.

Risk, Non-Identity, and Extinction

Abstract This paper examines a recent argument in favour of strong precautionary action—possibly including working to hasten human extinction—on the basis of a decision-theoretic view that accommodates the risk-attitudes of all affected while giving more weight to the more risk-averse attitudes. First, we dispute the need to take into account other people’s attitudes towards risk at all. Second, we argue that a version of the non-identity problem undermines the case for doing so in the context of future people. Lastly, we suggest that we should not work to hasten human extinction, even if significant risk aversion is warranted.

The politics of freeports – a place-based analysis of regional economic regeneration in the United Kingdom

Freeports are special economic zones, providing tax and customs benefits aimed at reducing economic friction and encouraging regional development. This place-based policy analysis of UK freeports draws upon qualitative interviews and deliberative workshops with leading industry, government, and civil society stakeholders in the two largest Freeport regions – Teesside and Liverpool. We find first, that purported tax, customs, and planning benefits are deemed less economically important than the agglomeration of innovation industries within a defined geographic boundary. Second, that stronger action on environmental and economic (in)justice is needed – Freeports could be a just transition mechanism if they can avoid capture by a ‘closed shop’ of industry players. Third, Freeports could facilitate cross-sectoral low-carbon economic regeneration, though they are subject to cycles of expectation, hype, and disappointment. We conclude that national policymakers must acknowledge the competing geographic and governance scales emerging within Freeport-hosting communities, as distributive environmental injustices between different locations remain broadly unaddressed. Finally, though cognisant of changes in political leadership on the horizon, we conclude that Freeports will increase the geographic spread of environmental injustice if this model of low-tax and low-regulation economics becomes a political norm within UK regional economic redevelopment strategy.

Comparative analysis of the impact of design and detailing provisions for RC moment resisting frames under the first- and second-generation of Eurocode 8

Eurocode 8 is undergoing a thorough revision process encompassing a significant number of changes. In this work, the novel ductility classes, drift limits for damage limitation, local ductility conditions, and corresponding detailing prescriptions are presented and discussed. It is paramount to analyse and contrast these modifications with the current provisions of Eurocode 8. In order to assess the impact of such revisions, an extensive examination was conducted on ten symmetrical moment-resisting frame (MRF) buildings. These buildings are regular in plan and in elevation and are not torsionally flexible. The analysis was carried out following both the current and the second-generation Eurocode 8 provisions, with the results being compared in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the new design and detailing provisions. The study outcomes revealed that the DCM, DC2, and DC3 structures demonstrated different trends in their detailing demands for local ductility and capacity design. Differences in reinforcement quantities were observed between DCM and DC2, as well as DC2 and DC3, for 5-storey and 10-storey buildings. The design approach focused on individual member detailing requirements, to optimize design, while maintaining the overall concrete quantities. These insights offer valuable economic considerations for various structural configurations under strong seismic actions.

Combined onshore and offshore wide scale seismic data acquisition and imaging for CCS exploration in Havnsø, Denmark

Strong global actions for climate change include carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a feasible solution to reach carbon neutrality and raise opportunities for detailed subsurface investigations. An acquisition set-up designed for onshore-offshore zones was maximized for a wide-scale high-resolution structural imaging and implemented to cover a domal structure of interest for CCS utilization close to the town of Havns�nmark). Challenges of a combined acquisition and processing of land and marine multi-sensor data along a 42 km seismic profile are analyzed, suggested solutions are applied and limitations discussed. On the onshore side, a nodal array and a seismic landstreamer system were simultaneously used while along the transition zone a marine seismic streamer and ocean bottom seismometers were added to record the seismic response generated by two seismic vibrator sources. The adopted sensing domains (velocity, acceleration, and pressure) were studied and different processing steps were evaluated to enable their processing and subsequent data set merging. Results suggest as a best approach, a separate prestack processing of the different data sets and the computation of new geometries and new surface-consistent residual static correction after their merging. The data acquired in the transition zone illuminate for the first time the subsurface geology of the region delineating an expected domal closure. The final seismic section shows high continuity of the reflections with good resolution along the entire profile, identifying the main reservoir structure and the surrounding areas, which are important to ensure the reservoir integrity and safe exploitation over longer time scales. Shallow and deep reflections are consistent with the stratigraphic column from a well-log near the profile. The presented study shows a comprehensive workflow for processing such a multi-sensor data set in onshore and transition zone settings.

Antibacterial activity of extracellular biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles against locally isolated β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from Egypt

Nowadays, extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli has been recognized and recorded worldwide as one of the main causing agents and a major contributor to nosocomial infections. The current study aimed to isolate and detect β-lactamase-producing E. coli and use it in the extracellular biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs). Fifteen Gram-negative (G-ve), lactose-fermenting, negative citrate and non-spore-forming coliform bacteria were isolated from the total bacterial isolates from water samples. Different tests were performed to detect β-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates including the chromogenic methods as acidimetric and iodometric techniques and the phenotypic methods as cloverleaf test and Masuda double-disc test. ESBL-producing E. coli was detected and confirmed by a modified double disc synergy test using ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid, imipenem, cefepime, and cefoxitin. The quantitative assay of β-lactamase was done using a micro-iodometric assay. Among E. coli bacterial isolates, S1B1 isolate (the highest isolate of β-lactamase activity) was selected and tested for the extracellular biosynthesis of Fe2O3 NPs. The produced nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope and Zeta analysis. Results confirmed the successful biosynthesis of Fe2O3 NPs which displayed an absorption peak at 346 nm and a Fe2O3 crystallographic lattice plane at (104). Fe2O3 NPs were negatively charged spherical-shaped NPs with an average size of ≈ 24 ± 2 nm. The FTIR spectrum refers to the presence of NPs-associated proteins which act as stabilizing and capping agents. Antibacterial activity of Fe2O3 NPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Bacillus cereus ATCC6633 (G+ve bacterium), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 (G-ve bacterium), as well as the β-lactamase-producing E. coli S1B1 strain. Fe2O3 NPs revealed moderate to strong antibacterial action against the tested strains with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranging from 25 to 40 µg/ml.

Spatial distribution characteristics and degradation mechanism of microorganisms in n-hexadecane contaminated vadose zone

The damage caused by petroleum hydrocarbon pollution to soil and groundwater environment is becoming increasingly significant. The vadose zone is the only way for petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants to leak from surface into groundwater. The spatial distribution characteristics of indigenous microorganisms in vadose zone, considering presence of capillary zones, have rarely been reported. To explore the spatial distribution characteristics of indigenous microorganisms in vadose zone contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, a one-dimensional column migration experiment was conducted using n-hexadecane as characteristic pollutant. Soil samples were collected periodically from different heights during experiment. Corresponding environmental factors were monitored online. The microbial community structure and spatial distribution characteristics of the cumulative relative abundance were systematically analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. In addition, the microbial degradation mechanism of n-hexadecane was analyzed using metabolomics. The results showed that presence of capillary zone had a strong retarding effect on n-hexadecane infiltration. Leaked pollutants were mainly concentrated in areas with strong capillary action. Infiltration and displacement of NAPL-phase pollutants were major driving force for change in moisture content (θ) and electric conductivity (EC) in vadose zone. The degradation by microorganisms results in a downward trend in potential of hydrogen (pH) and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). Five petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial phyla and 11 degradable straight-chain alkane bacterial genera were detected. Microbial degradation was strong in the area near edge of capillary zone and locations of pollutant accumulation. Mainly Sphingomonas and Nocardioides bacteria were involved in microbial degradation of n-hexadecane. Single-end oxidation involved microbial degradation of n-hexadecane (C16H34). The oxygen consumed, hexadecanoic acid (C16H32O2) produced during this process, and release of hydrogen ions (H+) were the driving factors for reduction of ORP and pH. The vadose zone in this study considered presence of capillary zone, which was more in line with actual contaminated site conditions compared with previous studies. This study systematically elucidated vertical distribution characteristics of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants and spatiotemporal variation characteristics of indigenous microorganisms in vadose zone considered presence of capillary zone. In addition, the n-hexadecane degradation mechanism was elucidated using metabolomics. This study provides theoretical support for development of natural attenuation remediation measures for petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and groundwater.

Plasmonic group 4 transition metal carbide interfaces for solar‐driven desalination

AbstractTo combat the dwindling supply of freshwater, solar‐driven desalination using plasmonic nanomaterials has emerged as a promising and renewable solution. Refractory plasmonic carbide nanomaterials are exciting candidates that are inexpensive and chemically robust but have not been widely explored. Herein, plasmonic carbide interfaces made of TiC, ZrC, and HfC nanoparticle aggregates loaded onto to a mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membrane were explored to gain insight into their solar‐vapor generation and desalination potential. Desalination using Atlantic Ocean water under 1 sun intensity yielded rates of 1.26 ± 0.01, 1.18 ± 0.02, and 1.40 ± 0.01 kg m−2 h−1, with efficiencies of 86%, 80%, and 96% for TiC, ZrC, and HfC, respectively. Carbide interfaces showed good stability and effectively removed heavy metal ions and salt from solutions with concentrations up to 35%. PVA hydrogel based TMC evaporators afforded rates of 3.31 ± 0.03 and 3.22 ± 0.03 kg m−2 h−1 for TiC and ZrC, respectively. The HfC‐PVA interface afforded a high solar desalination rate of 3.69 ± 0.04 kg m−2 h−1, corresponding to an efficiency of 97% under 1‐sun illumination. The hydrogel evaporators also retained their strong salt rejection action over time.

LEKTI domain 6 displays anti-inflammatory action in vitro and in a murine atopic dermatitis model

BackgroundLympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) is a serine protease inhibitor consisting of multiple domains. A loss of function mutation is described in Netherton patients that show severe symptoms of atopic lesions and itch. ObjectivesLEKTI domain 6 (LD6) has shown strong serine protease-inhibitory action in in vitro assays and thus it was tested in vitro and in vivo for potential anti-inflammatory action in models of atopic skin disease. MethodsHuman skin equivalents were treated with LD6 and an inflammatory reaction was challenged by kallikrein-related endopeptidase 5 (KLK5). Furthermore, LD6 was tested on dorsal root ganglia cells stimulated with KLK5, SLIGRL and histamine by calcium imaging. The effect of topically administered LD6 (0.4–0.8%) in lipoderm was compared to a topical formulation of betamethasone-diproprionate (0.1%) in a therapeutic setting on atopic dermatitis-like lesions in NC/Nga mice sensitized to house dust mite antigen. Endpoints were clinical scoring of the mice as well as determination of scratching behaviour. ResultsKLK5 induced an upregulation of CXCL-8, CCL20 and IL-6 in skin equivalents. This upregulation was reduced by pre-incubation with LD6. KLK5 as well as histamine induced calcium influx in a population of neurons. LD6 significantly reduced the calcium response to both stimuli. When administered onto lesional skin of NC/Nga mice, both LD6 and betamethasone-dipropionate significantly reduced the inflammatory reaction. The effect on itch behaviour was less pronounced. ConclusionTopical administration of LD6 might be new therapeutic option for treatment of lesional atopic skin.