Identifying the origins of local atmospheric deposition in the steel industry basin of Luxembourg using the chemical and isotopic composition of the lichen Xanthoria parietina

Trace metal atmospheric contamination was assessed in one of the oldest European industrial sites of steel production situated in the southern part of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. Using elemental ratios as well as Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopic compositions as tracers, we found preliminary results concerning the trace metal enrichment and the chemical/isotopic signatures of the most important emission sources using the lichen Xanthoria parietina sampled at 15 sites along a SW-NE transect. The concentrations of these elements decreased with increasing distance from the historical and actual steel-work areas. The combination of the different tracers (major elements, Rare Earth Element ratios, Pb, Sr and Nd isotopes) enabled us to distinguish between three principal sources: the historical steel production (old tailings corresponding to blast-furnace residues), the present steel production (industrial sites with arc electric furnace units) and the regional background (baseline) components. Other anthropogenic sources including a waste incinerator and major roads had only weak impacts on lichen chemistry and isotopic ratios. The correlation between the Sr and Nd isotope ratios indicated that the Sr–Nd isotope systems represented useful tools to trace atmospheric emissions of factories using scrap metal for steel production

Architectured interfaces and electrochemical modelling in an anode supported SOFC

International audienceIncreasing the SOFC performances is many-fold: i/ at low current density, through the enhancement of the catalytic properties of the electrodes, ii/ at the ohmic loss region, through lower resistance, iii/ at the high current density region, via the optimization of the electrodes microstructure. The present work proposes to explore how the corrugation of electrode/electrolyte interfaces impacts the performances of SOFCs. Taking ideas from the battery community, this approach was applied to the anode/electrolyte interface of a SOFC based on standard compositions. Patterning of this interface was achieved with different geometries at the 10-100µm scale by cold pressing. Thin electrolyte layers have been deposited on top of these architectures by different techniques. In parallel, an electrochemical model was carried out and implemented throughout the interface in FEM (finite element method) with COMSOL Multiphysics. The results showed a 25 % increase in the total current density for a certain ellipsoid geometry

Permeability of gases In the anode of An anode-supported SOFC

International audienceIn the high current density regime, the performance of SOFCs is limited by concentration overpotentials when the demand for reactants exceeds the capacity of the porous cermet anode to supply them by gas diffusion mechanisms, and when the rate at which water is produced exceeds the ability of the anode to evacuate water. A compromise should be found between maintaining a high level of activation in the anode, which means a high density of Triple Phase Boundaries (TPB) usually associated with small grains size and small pores, and high gas permeability generally associated with large interconnected pores. The present work aims at determining experimentally the gas permeability of the anode as a function of the percolation, tortuosity and volume fraction of the pores. Anodes with varying porosity ensured by different quantities of pore former were obtained by cold pressing and sintering. SEM image analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry and permeability measurements for different gases were performed. However, non-linearity as a function of the gases molecular weight is observed

Using cluster analysis to profile adolescent media use and exploring the relations to risk behaviours: The moderating role of age and gender

This study examined how profiles of adolescent media use including TV viewing, console and online games, and internet use including social networking, were linked to risk behaviours. A sample of960 year ten and 475 year twelve students from Western Australian schools responded to a computer-administered, self -report survey. Cluster analysis was used to group students into three media-use profiles labelled as TV & Games, Low Use and SNS & Internet. Differences among these media use profiles in alcohol use and delinquency were tested. The fmdings indicated significant media profile differences in alcohol use and delinquency. The TV & Games profile used alcohol and engaged in delinquency behaviours more than the SNS & Internet and Low Use profiles. Both year level and gender moderated the relations. There were a significant minority of adolescents who consumed media excessively and showed higher levels of alcohol use and delinquency behaviours. Boys in TV & Games and girls in SNS & Internet profiles at year 12 reported the highest rates of risk behaviours. The Low Use profile reported the lowest rates of risk behaviours across both year levels and genders

THE FINGERPRINT OF THE HUMAN GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT MICROBIOTA: A HYPOTHESIS OF MOLECULAR MAPPING

The precise etiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) remains unclear and several factors are believed to play a role in its development and progression, including the composition of microbial communities resident in the gastrointestinal tract. Human intestinal microbiota are extensive with at least 15.000-36.000 bacterial species. However, thanks to the new development in sequencing and molecular taxonomic methodologies, our understanding of the microbiota population composition, dynamics, and ecology has greatly increased. Intestinal microbiota play a critical role in the maintenance of the host intestinal barrier homeostasis, while dysbiosis, which involves reduction in the microbiome diversity, can lead to progression of the inflammatory disorders, such as IBD and colorectal cancer. It is hypothesized that fingerprinting characterization of the microbiota community composition is the first step in the study of this complex bacterial ecosystem and a crucial step in the targeted therapy. Molecular fingerprinting of human gastrointestinal tract microbiota could be performed by different techniques including the semi quantitation, 16srRNA, the DNA-microarray as well as other relatively new methods which were developed to study many complex bacterial ecosystem. These techniques provide individual data of the human intestinal microbiota and provide estimation of the relative presence of the microbial target groups within each individual. such personalized information serves as a remarkable and unprecedented opportunity to improve targeted medical treatment and probably develop strategies to prfevent disease

Why Not Loan Instead of Loot? A Preventative Proposal Regarding the Illicit Trade of Antiquities in a World of Terrorism

This Comment provides a comprehensive and preventative solution to the destruction of antiquities at the hands of non-state actors. The solution is a customizable loan agreement that works in tandem with existing international legislation. It can be changed to meet the needs of unique situations and can be incorporated into the existing international agreements. However, its focus is prevention, not criminal litigation. The idea is to make this agreement available to governments, museums, and private actors who wish to participate in the protection of at-risk artifacts by removing them from the areas of conflict to safe environments ideal for conservation. This Comment will begin with a historical overview of the practice of illegal antiquities trade and destruction with a tour of major world events that sparked the need for international legislative protection. Next, this Comment will analyze international legislation to establish the strengths and weaknesses regarding the application to non-state actors. Then, this Comment will analyze domestic legislation, also in terms of strengths and weaknesses regarding non-state actors. Finally, this Comment will present a solution in the form of a contract shell that can be used for loan agreements between countries, private foundations, museums, and other entities. Specific analysis will be devoted to the realities of this loan agreement in terms of what it seeks to accomplish, what is seeks to prevent, and how it will apply to situations involving terrorist groups and violent non-state actors

Recommoning Water:Emerging water governance practices as a response to the austerity crisis

“Recommoning Water” explores the resurgence of water commoning practices across Southern European cities in response to the austerity crisis of the past decade. This research investigates how austerity not only intensified calls for remunicipalisation—the transition of water services from private or semi-private management back to full public control—but also fostered the development of innovative governance paradigms, new actors, and institutions that align with commons-oriented approaches. In resistance to the prevailing privatisation trends, at least 267 cases of water remunicipalisation have been documented in 37 countries in the last 15 years, including in major European cities like Paris, Naples, Berlin and Terrassa. Austerity measures, imposed to address economic instability, unexpectedly catalysed local alliances and transnational collaborations, drawing new activists into the water struggle, where ‘non-militant’ actors such as mothers, grandmothers and pensioners have played significant roles in establishing novel institutional frameworks. Utilising an urban political ecology perspective, this dissertation interweaves urban theory with water governance theory, bridging the literature on water commons and remunicipalisation. The central inquiry focuses on the conditions under which remunicipalisation can facilitate commoning practices and lead to innovative water governance paradigms. Through in-depth case studies of water recommoning efforts in two cities: Terrassa, Spain, and Naples, Italy, I examine what enabled these radical outcomes where similar initiatives failed elsewhere. In analysing the complex dynamics of recommoning water, the findings underscore the potential and limitations of institutionalising water commoning under a public regime. They offer crucial insights for academics, activists, and policymakers, on the importance of local government cooperation in the success of commons-based governance while cautining against the risks of co-optation and disciplining. I further employ a feminist political ecology lens to explore the gendered dimensions of commoning struggles, revealing how such efforts are often sustained by women, through embodied knowledges, experiences, and practices. This dissertation not only introduces a new conceptual framework that integrates academic analysis with activist praxis, but also shares practical findings with movement actors to support ongoing policy negotiations and grassroots initiatives. The research has been widely disseminated through academic publications and multimedia platforms, shaping broader discussions on the future of water governance

The long-term effects of probiotics in the therapy of ulcerative colitis: a clinical study

Aim. Intestinal dysbiosis seems to be the leading cause of inflammatory bowel diseases, and probiotics seems to represent the proper support against their occurrence. Actually, probiotic blends and anti-inflammatory drugs represent a weapon against inflammatory bowel diseases. The present study evaluates the long-term (2 years) effects of combination therapy (mesalazine plus a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus strain BGN4) on ulcerative colitis activity. Method. Sixty patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis were enrolled: 30 of them were treated with a single daily oral administration of mesalazine 1200 mg; 30 patients received a single daily oral administration of mesalazine 1200 mg and a double daily administration of a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus strain BGN4. The treatment was carried out for two years and the clinical response evaluated according to the Modified Mayo Disease Activity Index. Results. All patients treated with combination therapy showed better improvement compared to the controls. In particular, the beneficial effects of probiotics were evident even after two years of treatment. Conclusions. A long-term treatment modality of anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics is viable and could be an alternative to corticosteroids in mild-to moderate ulcerative colitis

NUTRITION, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INTESTINAL DYSBIOSIS: INFLUENCE OF DIET ON GUT MICROBIOTA IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES.

Microbiota refers to the population of microorganism (bacteria, viruses and fungi) that inhabit the entire gastrointestinal tract, more particularly the colon whose role is to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and control the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Alteration in the composition of the gut microbiota is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis redisposes to inflammatory bowe diseases such ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease and indeterminated colitis. The purpose of this literature review is to elucidate the influence of diet on the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the healthy gut and the role of diet in the development of dysbiosis. The "western diet", in particular a low-fiber high/fat carboydrate diet is one factor that can lead to severe dysbiosis. in contrast, "mediterranean diet" and vegetearian diets that includes abundant fruits, vegetables, olive oil and oily fish are known for their anti-inflammatory effects and could prevent dysbiosis and subsequent inflammatory bowel disease

Oral manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis, have important extraintestinal manifestations, notably in the oral cavity. These oral manifestations can constitute important clinical clues in the diagnosis and management of IBD, and include changes at the immune and bacterial levels. Aphthous ulcers, pyostomatitis vegetans, cobblestoning and gingivitis are important oral findings frequently observed in IBD patients. Their presentations vary considerably and might be well diagnosed and distinguished from other oral lesions. Infections, drug side effects, deficiencies in some nutrients and many other diseases involved with oral manifestations should also be taken into account. This article discusses the most recent findings on the oral manifestations of IBD with a focus on bacterial modulations and immune changes. It also includes an overview on options for management of the oral lesions of IBD