Multi-level effects of sulphur-iron interactions in freshwater wetlands in The Netherlands

Although sulphur deposition rates in Europe have considerably decreased over the last decades, sulphate concentrations in freshwater wetlands are still high, as a result of drainage, nitrate pollution, and increased sulphur loads in rivers. High sulphur fluxes may cause sulphide toxicity and eutrophication, and strongly interfere with the biogeochemical cycling of iron and phosphorus. In the present study the ecotoxicological interactions between sulphur, phosphate, iron, and trace metals in freshwater wetlands are reviewed.     

Effect of dynamic process conditions on nitrogen oxides emission from a nitrifying culture

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from nitrifying ecosystems are a serious threat to the environment. The factors influencing the emission and the responsible microorganisms and pathways were studied using a laboratory-scale nitrifying reactor system. The nitrifying culture was established at growth rates relevant to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). During stable ammonia oxidation, 0.03% of ammonium was emitted as NO and 2.8% was emitted as N2O. Although mixed cultures were used, clear responses in emission of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) could be detected and it was concluded that the denitrification pathway of AOB was the main source of the emissions. Emissions of nitrogen oxides in the system were strongly influenced by oxygen, nitrite, and ammonium concentrations. Steady state emission levels greatly underestimate the total emission, because changes in oxygen, nitrite, and ammonium concentrations induced a dramatic rise in NO and N2O emission. The data presented can be used as an indication for NO and N2O emission by AOB in plug-flow activated sludge systems, which is highly relevant because of the atmospheric impact and potential health risk of these compounds.     

The middle classes and the remaking of the suburban family community: evidence from the Netherlands

This paper presents data on everyday life in three recently built Dutch suburban areas constructed under the Vinex national urban planning policy. Its focus is on family households and today’s division of work and care, social life and neighbourhood activism. The results show that suburbs are no longer breeding grounds for the traditional nuclear family. But, while the rate of working mothers is high, the limited use of professional child care still reflects the tradition that maintains that children are best cared for in the private domain. Having children is crucial for putting down roots and developing social networks. In contrast to the past, both working mothers and fathers are actively constructing family communities. The newly established family communities are firmly of the middle class and tend to exclude childless and lowerclass households. Neighbourhood activism involves both the reproduction of an unspoiled and orderly environment and the realisation of a suburban paradise for children. This paper further reveals differences in the suburban areas studied and discusses the false dichotomy between the urban and the suburban within the metropolitan area.     

Resveratrol-Induced Signal Transduction in Wound Healing

Resveratrol is a well-known polyphenol that harbors various health benefits. Besides its well-known anti-oxidative potential, resveratrol exerts anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and cell-protective effects. It seems to be a promising adjuvant for various medical indications, such as cancer, vascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, resveratrol was shown to display beneficial effects on the human skin. The polyphenol is discussed to be a feasible treatment approach to accelerate wound healing and prevent the development of chronic wounds without the drawback of systemic side effects. Despite resveratrol’s increasing popularity, its molecular mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. To take full advantage of resveratrol’s therapeutic potential, a profound knowledge of its interactions with its targets is needed. Therefore, this review highlights the resveratrol-induced molecular pathways with particular focus on the most relevant variables in wound healing, namely inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, collagen proliferation and angiogenesis.     

Microstructure of a Ce0.1Zr0.9O2–MgAl2O4 Ceramic Matrix Composite for Use in Dentistry

A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) with the chemical composition of 90 wt% Ce_0.1Zr_0.9O₂ and 10 wt% MgAl₂O₄ was produced by filter‐pressing, drying, and heat treatment at 1400°C. The internal microstructure was studied using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Because of the intended use in dentistry, the surfaces of the as‐fired and of the mechanically treated samples were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD Rietveld analysis). This study revealed that Ce_0.1Zr_0.9O₂ and MgAl₂O₄ spinel are the only crystalline phases present in the CMC material. Nevertheless, apart from the tetragonal Ce_0.1Zr_0.9O₂, its monoclinic phase was identified as a third crystal phase in the as‐fired sample with an amount of ~2.5 wt%, at the surface of polished (5.3 wt%) and roughened (8 wt%) specimens. In sum, the microstructure of the CMC material is homogeneous and can be modified by mechanical surface treatment leading to a partial transformation of the tetragonal phase of the Ce_0.1Zr_0.9O₂ component into the monoclinic one. This partial transformation is also visible in AFM, with occurrence of transformation bands. The mechanism yield in surface compressive stress can be determined according to the Williamson and Hall method. The authors conclude that the absence of microcrack formation during polishing or roughening confirms the high flaw tolerance of such a CMC material.     

Altering Mechanical Properties to Improve Electrode Contacts by Organic Modification of Silica-Based Ionogel Electrolytes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a possible candidate to create safe, sustainable, and cost-effective batteries. Solid sodium-ion conducting organically modified ionogel electrolytes are investigated. Silica-based ionogels typically consist of an ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE) confined within a silica matrix and possess high thermal stability, good ionic conductivity, safety, and good electrochemical stability. However, they readily deteriorate when stress is applied, decreasing the electrolyte's and battery's overall performance. The mechanical characteristics of silica can be improved using organic moieties, creating Ormosils®. Silica-based ionogels with phenyl-modified silanes improve the mechanical characteristics by a reduction of their Young's modulus (from 29 to 6 MPa). This is beneficial to the charge-transfer resistance, which decreases after implementing the electrolyte in half cells, demonstrating the improved interfacial contact. Most importantly, the phenyl groups change the interacting species at the silica interface. Cationic imidazolium species pi-stacked to the phenyl groups of the silica matrix, pushing the anions to the bulk of the ILE, which affects the ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, and might affect the quality of the SEI in half cells. In essence, the work at hand can be used as a directory to improve mechanical characteristics and modify and control functional properties of ionogel electrolytes.     

Conditions Governing Food Protein Amyloid Fibril Formation—Part I: Egg and Cereal Proteins

Conditions including heating mode, time, temperature, pH, moisture and protein concentration, shear, and the presence of alcohols, chaotropic/reducing agents, enzymes, and/or salt influence amyloid fibril (AF) formation as they can affect the accessibility of amino acid sequences prone to aggregate. As some conditions applied on model protein resemble conditions in food processing unit operations, we here hypothesize that food processing can lead to formation of protein AFs with a compact cross β‐sheet structure. This paper reviews conditions and food constituents that affect amyloid fibrillation of egg and cereal proteins. While egg and cereal proteins often coexist in food products, their impact on each other's fibrillation remains unknown. Hen egg ovalbumin and lysozyme form AFs when subjected to moderate heating at acidic pH separately. AFs can also be formed at higher pH, especially in the presence of alcohols or chaotropic/reducing agents. Tryptic wheat gluten digests can form fibrillar structures at neutral pH and maize and rice proteins do so in aqueous ethanol or at acidic pH, respectively.