The COST Action FP0903 “Climate Change and Forest Mitigation and Adaptation in a Polluted Environment (MAFor)” involved 29 countries and created a platform for information exchange with experts from different fields...The COST Action FP0903 “Climate Change and Forest Mitigation and Adaptation in a Polluted Environment (MAFor)” involved 29 countries and created a platform for information exchange with experts from different fields, with the following main objectives: 1) to increase understanding of the state and potential of forest mitigation and adaptation to climate change in a polluted environment and 2) to reconcile process-oriented research, long-term monitoring and applied modelling at comprehensive forest research sites. In particular, MAFor translated the existing European knowledge on climate and air pollution dynamics into prospects for forest research and monitoring, with focus on the carbon, ozone, nitrogen and water budgets. The aim of this paper is to summarize scientific activities and achievements of MAFor: the creation of a meta-database for highlighting the available data and integrating the information from European forest research/monitoring networks;the development of a new concept of forest sites for research and monitoring (Supersites);the identification of the main knowledge gaps;and the definition of priorities for forest adaptation to climate change in a polluted environment. The action also increased European capacity building in this sector by organizing five conferences, granting 64 short-term scientific missions, organizing four training schools and publishing more than 100 papers.展开更多
Light-triggered release of active ingredients from polymeric nanosized capsules can be employed in a wide range of applications, such as biomedicine, active packaging, and cosmetics. However, the preparation of core-s...Light-triggered release of active ingredients from polymeric nanosized capsules can be employed in a wide range of applications, such as biomedicine, active packaging, and cosmetics. However, the preparation of core-shell polymeric nanocarriers typically involves the use of toxic organic solvents. To improve the sustainability and safety of nanocapsule applications, we demonstrate that natural essential oils can be used both as solvent and active material in light-responsive nanocapsules synthesized via miniemulsion polycondensation. The documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of essential oils enables the design of multipurpose light-responsive delivery platforms. The photo-responsive behavior of the capsules, achieved by means of photochromic azobenzene segments embedded in the capsule shell, is triggered by UV light irradiation （λmax= 360 nm）. Light-induced release kinetics of the essential oils and a fluorescent probe molecule, coumarin-6, is evaluated via UV-vis spectroscopy and spectrofluorimetry, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency and reliability of the release mechanism. Biological tests prove that the capsules are non-cytotoxic and readily internalized by cells, indicating the suitability of these smart nanocarriers for biological applications.展开更多
基金Support by the COST Action FP0903“Climate change and forest mitigation and adaptation in the polluted environment”
文摘The COST Action FP0903 “Climate Change and Forest Mitigation and Adaptation in a Polluted Environment (MAFor)” involved 29 countries and created a platform for information exchange with experts from different fields, with the following main objectives: 1) to increase understanding of the state and potential of forest mitigation and adaptation to climate change in a polluted environment and 2) to reconcile process-oriented research, long-term monitoring and applied modelling at comprehensive forest research sites. In particular, MAFor translated the existing European knowledge on climate and air pollution dynamics into prospects for forest research and monitoring, with focus on the carbon, ozone, nitrogen and water budgets. The aim of this paper is to summarize scientific activities and achievements of MAFor: the creation of a meta-database for highlighting the available data and integrating the information from European forest research/monitoring networks;the development of a new concept of forest sites for research and monitoring (Supersites);the identification of the main knowledge gaps;and the definition of priorities for forest adaptation to climate change in a polluted environment. The action also increased European capacity building in this sector by organizing five conferences, granting 64 short-term scientific missions, organizing four training schools and publishing more than 100 papers.
文摘Light-triggered release of active ingredients from polymeric nanosized capsules can be employed in a wide range of applications, such as biomedicine, active packaging, and cosmetics. However, the preparation of core-shell polymeric nanocarriers typically involves the use of toxic organic solvents. To improve the sustainability and safety of nanocapsule applications, we demonstrate that natural essential oils can be used both as solvent and active material in light-responsive nanocapsules synthesized via miniemulsion polycondensation. The documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of essential oils enables the design of multipurpose light-responsive delivery platforms. The photo-responsive behavior of the capsules, achieved by means of photochromic azobenzene segments embedded in the capsule shell, is triggered by UV light irradiation （λmax= 360 nm）. Light-induced release kinetics of the essential oils and a fluorescent probe molecule, coumarin-6, is evaluated via UV-vis spectroscopy and spectrofluorimetry, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency and reliability of the release mechanism. Biological tests prove that the capsules are non-cytotoxic and readily internalized by cells, indicating the suitability of these smart nanocarriers for biological applications.
