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The aim of this article is to improve the performance of DBD excimer lamps systems for UV production. Within this framework, our approach considers two distinct directions: the geometric dimensions of the double-barrier lamp bulb and the characteristics of the power supply. To explore these directions, a sampling of 19 bulbs of different geometries is considered, and a specially designed power supply is used, capable of controlling the shape (duration and magnitude) and frequency of current pulses injected into the plasma. A dedicated test bench, including a supervisory program that drives the power supply and collects system performance data, is used to perform parametric sweeps and guarantee measurement repeatability: the set of electrical parameters is fully explored for each lamp, and each experiment is characterized by UV emission performance and electrical generator operating conditions. Multiquadric response surfaces, used to format the results of this multi-variable exploration, reveal the most efficient directions for system optimization: increasing gas volume and, at a given operating frequency, providing the shortest possible current pulses with high amplitude can increase both UV emission and conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV) damage is closely related to skin photoaging and many skin diseases, including dermatic tumors. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism. However, the role of m6A methylation in apoptosis induced by repeated UV irradiation has not been characterized. To explore m6A methylation changes and regulatory mechanisms in the repeated UV-induced skin damage process, especially apoptosis. HaCaT cells and BALB/c-Nu nude mice were exposed to repeated UVB/UVA+UVB irradiation. Colorimetry and flow cytometry were used to measure cellular viability and apoptosis. m6A-modified genes were detected via colorimetry and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) sequencing. Methyltransferases and demethylases were detected via RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Transfection of siRNA and plasmid was performed to knock down or overexpress the selected genes. After UVB irradiation, 861 m6A peaks were increased and 425 m6A peaks were decreased in HaCaT cells. The differentially modified genes were enriched in apoptosis-related pathways. The m6A demethylase FTO was decreased in both HaCaT cells and mouse skin after UV damage. Overexpressing FTO could improve cell viability, inhibit apoptosis and decrease RNA-m6A methylation, including LPCAT3-m6A, which increase LPCAT3 expression, cell viability promotion and apoptosis inhibition. Our study identified the cell m6A methylation change lists after repeated UVB irradiation, and revealed that FTO and LPCAT3 play key roles in the m6A methylation pathogenesis of UV-induced skin cell apoptosis. FTO-m6A-LPCAT3 might serve as a novel upstream target for preventing and treating photoaging and UV-induced skin diseases. • FTO-mediated RNA methylation was involved in skin UV damage. • FTO is involved in skin UV damage by regulating cell viability and apoptosis. • m6A modification of LPCAT3 was involved in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of fabrics dyed with natural pigments is limited by their inadequate color intensity and low colorfastness to washing and light. To resolve these issues and improve the uptake and durability of natural dyes, textile fabrics are often irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, which enhances the reactivity of organic substrates. In this study, wool and cotton fabrics were pretreated with UV radiation, followed by an exhaustion treatment with the spent coffee extract derived from agricultural waste. These fabrics were then examined for changes in color, mechanical properties, and functionality. The results revealed that UV irradiation enhanced the reactivity of wool and cotton fibers, thus improving their affinity toward the constituents of the spent coffee extract. Consequently, when natural dyes were applied to these pretreated fabrics, their color intensity and functional properties improved, but their tensile strength decreased because of UV irradiation. To my best knowledge, this study is the first into the impact of UV irradiation on both the coloration of textiles and their health-related properties when finished with an extract derived from agricultural waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Skin cancers resulting from excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation are on the rise. This study aims to investigate the impact of facial-aging app intervention on promoting safe and healthy behaviors and its influence on reducing students' UV exposure. Method Utilizing a Pretest–Posttest repeated-measures design, we developed a theory-guided web app on the WhatsApp platform, named the Sunshine and Skin Health app. This app allows users to visualize their altered faces in three stages of adolescence, middle age, and old age based on sun protection behavior. The intervention continued within WhatsApp, incorporating 27 health messages grounded in the PMT theory, eight educational files, and a skin cancer video clip. The primary outcome is the change in sun protection behavior between the two groups (intervention and control) immediately after the intervention (T2) and the secondary outcome is the change in sun protection behavior between the two groups at 3 months follow-up (T3). The data are analyzed in SPSS 22 and a significance level of 0.05 is considered. Results The results revealed no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention. However, in the intervention group, there were significant differences in the utilization of sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen in the last month, as well as sunscreen reapplication after washing their hands and face, both immediately after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up, compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant intervention effect, time effect, and interaction effect between group and time were observed in behaviors related to using sunscreen in the last month and sunscreen reapplication after washing hands and face (P = 0.001). Specifically, the intervention group exhibited a significant difference from Time 1 to 2 and from Time 1 to 3 (p = 0.001), but no significant difference from Time 2 to 3. In contrast, the control group did not show any significant differences over time. Conclusions This study indicated that the Facial-Aging web app can effectively encourage safe behaviors in sunlight. To ensure the maintenance and sustainability of these behaviors over the long term, it is crucial to consider implementing booster sessions. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20200924048825N1. Registered prospectively on 8 February 2021.

Background: Skin cancers resulting from excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation are on the rise. This study aims to investigate the impact of facial-aging app intervention on promoting safe and healthy behaviors and its influence on reducing students' UV exposure. Method: Utilizing a Pretest–Posttest repeated-measures design, we developed a theory-guided web app on the WhatsApp platform, named the Sunshine and Skin Health app. This app allows users to visualize their altered faces in three stages of adolescence, middle age, and old age based on sun protection behavior. The intervention continued within WhatsApp, incorporating 27 health messages grounded in the PMT theory, eight educational files, and a skin cancer video clip. The primary outcome is the change in sun protection behavior between the two groups (intervention and control) immediately after the intervention (T2) and the secondary outcome is the change in sun protection behavior between the two groups at 3 months follow-up (T3). The data are analyzed in SPSS 22 and a significance level of 0.05 is considered. Results: The results revealed no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention. However, in the intervention group, there were significant differences in the utilization of sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen in the last month, as well as sunscreen reapplication after washing their hands and face, both immediately after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up, compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant intervention effect, time effect, and interaction effect between group and time were observed in behaviors related to using sunscreen in the last month and sunscreen reapplication after washing hands and face (P = 0.001). Specifically, the intervention group exhibited a significant difference from Time 1 to 2 and from Time 1 to 3 (p = 0.001), but no significant difference from Time 2 to 3. In contrast, the control group did not show any significant differences over time. Conclusions: This study indicated that the Facial-Aging web app can effectively encourage safe behaviors in sunlight. To ensure the maintenance and sustainability of these behaviors over the long term, it is crucial to consider implementing booster sessions. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20200924048825N1. Registered prospectively on 8 February 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D3 deficiency is regarded as a public health issue in Iraq, particularly during the winter. Sun exposure is the main source of vitamin D3, where the surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays an important role in human health. The amount of time that must be spent in the sun each day was determined for the amount of exposed skin, for all skin types, with and without sunscreen under clear sky conditions in the city of Baghdad (Long 44.375, Lat 33.375). UV index data was obtained by TEMIS satellite during the year 2021. From data analysis, we found that most days during the year were within the high level of ultraviolet radiation values in the city of Baghdad, and most of them were during the summer, where the person needed less time of exposure to sunlight to obtain vitamin D3 in the case of exposing the face and hands or the whole body. As a result, it can be concluded that the amount of UV radiation is affected by several factors: depending on latitude, day of the year, time of day and the season, body area exposed to the radiation, and use of sun protection factor. These factors influence the time of sun exposure required to initiate cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Contamination Sanitization Inspection and Disinfection (CSI-D) device is a handheld fluorescence-based imaging system designed to disinfect food contact surfaces using ultraviolet-C (UVC) illumination. This study aimed to determine the optimal CSI-D parameters (i.e., UVC exposure time and intensity) for the inactivation of the following foodborne bacteria plated on non-selective media: generic Escherichia coli (indicator organism) and the pathogens enterohemorrhagic E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes. Each bacterial strain was spread-plated on non-selective agar and exposed to high-intensity (10 mW/cm2) or low-intensity (5 mW/cm2) UVC for 1–5 s. Control plates were not exposed to UVC. The plates were incubated overnight at 37 °C and then enumerated. Three trials for each bacterial strain were conducted. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine if there were significant differences in bacterial growth between UVC intensities and exposure times. Overall, exposure to low or high intensity for 3–5 s resulted in consistent inhibition of bacterial growth, with reductions of 99.9–100 % for E. coli, 96.8–100 % for S. enterica, and 99.2–100 % for L. monocytogenes. The 1 s exposure time showed inconsistent results, with a 66.0–100 % reduction in growth depending on the intensity and bacterial strain. When the results for all strains within each species were combined, the 3–5 s exposure times showed significantly greater (p 0.05) in growth inhibition between the high and low UVC intensities. The results of this study show that, in pure culture conditions, exposure to UVC with the CSI-D device for ≥3 s is required to achieve consistent reduction of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes.

This study thoroughly explores the application of Ultraviolet (UV) water treatment technology in urban wastewater treatment and water supply in China, highlighting its crucial role in enhancing water quality safety. UV technology, with its environmentally friendly and low-carbon characteristics, is deemed more in line with the demands of sustainable development compared to traditional chemical disinfection methods. The widespread application of UV technology in urban wastewater treatment in China, particularly in the context of urban sewage treatment, is examined. However, to better promote and apply UV technology, there is a need to deepen the understanding of this technology and its application among a broad base of users and design units. The importance of gaining in-depth knowledge about the performance of UV water treatment equipment, the design calculation basis, and operational considerations, as well as the ongoing development of relevant standards, is underscored to ensure that the equipment used in projects complies with engineering design and production requirements. Furthermore, the positive trend of UV technology in the field of advanced oxidation, indicating a promising trajectory for engineering applications, is pointed out. Regarding the prospects of industrial development, a thorough analysis is conducted in the article, emphasizing the necessity for all stakeholders to collaborate and adopt a multi-level approach to promote the sustainable development and application of UV water treatment technology. This collaborative effort is crucial for providing effective safeguards for China's environment, ecology, and human health.

• Ferrate(VI)-based oxidation was proposed to mitigate membrane fouling by SGPW. • UV/Fe(VI) performed better than CaO 2 /Fe(VI) for SGPW fouling mitigation. • High-valent iron intermediates (Fe(IV)/Fe(V)) were generated by Fe(VI) activation. • Fe(IV)/Fe(V) played a major role in the CaO 2 /Fe(VI) process for pre-oxidation. • Fe(IV)/Fe(V) and •OH exhibited a synergistic effect in the UV/Fe(VI) process. Ultrafiltration (UF) is increasingly used in the pretreatment of shale gas produced water (SGPW), whereas severe membrane fouling hampers its actual operation. In this work, ferrate(VI)-based oxidation was proposed for membrane fouling alleviation in SGPW pretreatment, and the activation strategies of calcium peroxide (CaO 2) and ultraviolet (UV) were selected for comparison. The findings indicated that UV/Fe(VI) was more effective in removing fluorescent components, and the concentration of dissolved organic carbon was reduced by 24.1 %. With pretreatments of CaO 2 /Fe(VI) and UV/Fe(VI), the terminal specific membrane flux was elevated from 0.196 to 0.385 and 0.512, and the total fouling resistance diminished by 52.7 % and 76.2 %, respectively. Interfacial free energy analysis indicated that the repulsive interactions between pollutants and membrane were notably enhanced by Fe(VI)-based oxidation, thereby delaying the deposition of cake layers on the membrane surface. Quenching and probe experiments revealed that high-valent iron intermediates (Fe(IV)/Fe(V)) played significant roles in both CaO 2 /Fe(VI) and UV/Fe(VI) processes. Besides, hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were also important reactive species in the UV/Fe(VI) treatment, and the synergistic effect of Fe(IV)/Fe(V) and •OH showed a positive influence on SGPW fouling mitigation. In general, these findings establish a theoretical underpinning for the application of Fe(VI)-based oxidation for UF membrane fouling mitigation in SGPW pretreatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To proof the feasibility of direct colour printing on 3Y-TZP using 222 nm UV-C through investigating the degree and durability of the colour changes, and testifying whether surface, mechanical and biological properties are influenced by the treatment., Methods: 222 nm UV-C light (Irradiance: 1.870 mW/cm 2 ) was used to treat 3Y-TZP for durations from 15 min to 24 h. ΔE*, TP, crystalline structure, surface morphology, S a , BFS and biological activities were investigated before and after irradiation. SPSS 28.0 was used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05)., Results: 222 nm UV-C irradiation was capable to shade white 3Y-TZP into tooth colours. With the increase of ΔE*, TP decreased, such that the longer the irradiation time, the higher the ΔE* (logarithmic relationship) and lower the TP. Despite the induced optical changes being prone to fade, the process can be predicted by inversely proportional relationships between ΔE*, TP and the testing points. The treated surface exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, while the recovery phenomenon was observed. Other properties were not altered by the treatment., Significance: This is the seminal study demonstrating the feasibility of direct colour printing on 3Y-TZP using 222 nm UV-C. The new relationship between the colour centre and E g of 3Y-TZP was established, whereas the induced optical changes were stabilised after a certain period and were highly predictable by controlling the irradiation periods. The irradiation was only correlated to the electron excitation and oxygen vacancies, and would not lead to any changes of other properties. A simple, safe and promising approach to achieve satisfactory colours on 3Y-TZP in clinical practice can be developed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Plants are often simultaneously stressed by both UV radiation and phosphorus (P) deficiency in agricultural ecosystems. Coordinated responses and adaptations to these stressors are critical for plant growth, development, and survival. However, the underlying molecular response and adaptation mechanisms in plants remain elusive. Here, we show that plants use a reciprocal antagonistic strategy in response to UV radiation and P deficiency. UV radiation inhibited P-starvation response (PSR) processes and disrupted phosphate (Pi) homeostasis by suppressing the function of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE PROTEINS (PHRs), the Pi central regulators. Conversely, P availability modulated the plant UV tolerance and the expression level of UV radiation response (URR) genes in a PHR-dependent manner. Therefore, reducing P supply or increasing PHRs activities can improve the tolerance to UV stress in rice. Moreover, this antagonistic interaction is conserved across various plant species. Furthermore, our meta-analysis showed that the increase in global UV radiation over the last forty years may reduce crop P-utilization efficiency worldwide. Our findings provide insights for optimizing P fertilizer management and breeding smart crops resilient to fluctuations in UV radiation and soil P levels., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

• The UV/PAA process demonstrated excellent performances in CSOs disinfection. • Reactive species including •OH and RO• played a major role in E. coli inactivation. • The UV/PAA process had negligible effects on cell integrity and oxidative stress. • Generated radicals primarily caused damage to intracellular protein molecules. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) introduce microbial contaminants into the receiving water bodies, thereby posing risks to public health. This study systematically investigated the disinfection performance and mechanisms of the combined process of ultraviolet and peracetic acid (UV/PAA) in CSOs with selecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a target microbial contaminant. The UV/PAA process exhibited superior performance in inactivating E. coli in simulated CSOs compared with UV, PAA, and UV/H 2 O 2 processes. Increasing the PAA dosage greatly enhanced the disinfection efficiency, while turbidity and organic matter hindered the inactivation performance. Singlet oxygen (1O 2), hydroxyl (•OH) and organic radicals (RO•) contributed to the inactivation of E. coli , with •OH and RO• playing the prominent role. Variations of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, enzymes activities, DNA contents and biochemical compositions of E. coli cells suggested that UV/PAA primarily caused oxidative damage to intracellular molecules rather than the damage to the lipids of the cell membrane, therefore effectively limited the regrowth of E. coli. Additionally, the UV/PAA process displayed an outstanding performance in disinfecting actual raw CSOs, achieving a 2.90-log inactivation of total bacteria after reaction for 4 min. These results highlighted the practical applicability and effectiveness of the UV/PAA process in the disinfection of CSOs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Contamination Sanitization Inspection and Disinfection (CSI-D) device is a handheld fluorescence-based imaging system designed to disinfect food contact surfaces using ultraviolet-C (UVC) illumination. This study aimed to determine the optimal CSI-D parameters (i.e., UVC exposure time and intensity) for the inactivation of the following foodborne bacteria plated on non-selective media: generic Escherichia coli (indicator organism) and the pathogens enterohemorrhagic E. coli , enterotoxigenic E. coli , Salmonella enterica , and Listeria monocytogenes. Each bacterial strain was spread-plated on non-selective agar and exposed to high-intensity (10 mW/cm 2 ) or low-intensity (5 mW/cm 2 ) UVC for 1-5 s. Control plates were not exposed to UVC. The plates were incubated overnight at 37 °C and then enumerated. Three trials for each bacterial strain were conducted. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine if there were significant differences in bacterial growth between UVC intensities and exposure times. Overall, exposure to low or high intensity for 3-5 s resulted in consistent inhibition of bacterial growth, with reductions of 99.9-100 % for E. coli , 96.8-100 % for S. enterica , and 99.2-100 % for L. monocytogenes . The 1 s exposure time showed inconsistent results, with a 66.0-100 % reduction in growth depending on the intensity and bacterial strain. When the results for all strains within each species were combined, the 3-5 s exposure times showed significantly greater ( p  < 0.05) growth inhibition than the 1 s exposure time. However, there were no significant differences ( p  > 0.05) in growth inhibition between the high and low UVC intensities. The results of this study show that, in pure culture conditions, exposure to UVC with the CSI-D device for ≥3 s is required to achieve consistent reduction of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes ., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Authors FV and SS own stocks or stock options in SafetySpect Inc. FV is an inventor on US patent application US20210228757A1. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This study thoroughly explores the application of Ultraviolet (UV) water treatment technology in urban wastewater treatment and water supply in China, highlighting its crucial role in enhancing water quality safety. UV technology, with its environmentally friendly and low-carbon characteristics, is deemed more in line with the demands of sustainable development compared to traditional chemical disinfection methods. The widespread application of UV technology in urban wastewater treatment in China, particularly in the context of urban sewage treatment, is examined. However, to better promote and apply UV technology, there is a need to deepen the understanding of this technology and its application among a broad base of users and design units. The importance of gaining in-depth knowledge about the performance of UV water treatment equipment, the design calculation basis, and operational considerations, as well as the ongoing development of relevant standards, is underscored to ensure that the equipment used in projects complies with engineering design and production requirements. Furthermore, the positive trend of UV technology in the field of advanced oxidation, indicating a promising trajectory for engineering applications, is pointed out. Regarding the prospects of industrial development, a thorough analysis is conducted in the article, emphasizing the necessity for all stakeholders to collaborate and adopt a multi-level approach to promote the sustainable development and application of UV water treatment technology. This collaborative effort is crucial for providing effective safeguards for China's environment, ecology, and human health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Sulfate radical-based oxidation processes were investigated to understand the relationship between persulfate (PS) consumption and total organic carbon (TOC) removal from industrial wastewater under various PS concentrations. First, the degradation and mineralization of Bisphenol A (BPA) (initial concentration: 11 mg/L) were investigated in ultraviolet (UV)/PS systems. Complete degradation was achieved within 30 min of UV irradiation, and 41%–72% TOC removal was achieved at PS concentrations of 200 and 400 mg/L. The consumed concentration of S 2 O 8 2− and generated concentration of SO 4 2− increased gradually to similar levels. The ratio of the PS consumption to TOC removal based on the mass concentration (mg/L) was 14.5 and 23.2 at 180 min for 200 and 400 mg/L of S 2 O 8 2−, respectively. Three types of coagulation-treated industrial wastewater from metal-processing, food-processing, and adhesive-producing plants were obtained, and TOC removal was analyzed using the same UV/PS systems (initial TOC concentration: 100 mg/L). The TOC removal rates ranged from 16.9% to 94.4% after 180 min of UV irradiation at PS concentrations of 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 mg S 2 O 8 2−/L. Despite the higher TOC removal at higher PS concentrations, the PS activation efficiency decreased significantly as the PS concentration increased. Only approximately 30%–40% activation efficiency was achieved at a PS concentration of 8,000 mg/L. In this study, the ratio of PS consumption to TOC removal ranged from 20.6 to 43.9. [Display omitted] • UV activated sulfate-radical oxidation processes were investigated. • BPA solution and three industrial wastewaters were tested in the UV/PS systems. • Higher TOC removals were achieved with higher PS concentrations. • The ratio of PS consumption to TOC removal ranged from 20.6 to 43.9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]