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The multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles are synthesized using a cost‐effective, efficient, eco‐friendly, simple, and clean synthesis approach. Herein, we reported the antibacterial and wound healing potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) prepared using psyllium gel (PG) as the reducing and stabilizing agent. The PG‐mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (PG‐ZnO‐NPs) were characterized using UV–Vis, photoluminescence (PL), FTIR, XRD, Raman, and SEM. UV–Vis spectral studies confirmed the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) band at 364 nm. PL results demonstrated the fluorescent or emission nature of PG‐ZnO‐NPs. FTIR analysis confirmed characteristic peaks at 873.82 and 619.88 cm−1 due to the tetrahedral coordination of zinc and the formation of the Zn‐O bond. XRD and Raman confirm the formation of PG‐ZnO‐NPs, whereas SEM analysis revealed PG‐ZnO‐NPs are rod‐shaped, having hexagonal prism‐like bases, and EDX exhibited the elemental composition of PG‐ZnO‐NPs. The as‐synthesized PG‐ZnO‐NPs possessed prominent microbicidal potential against gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) and gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella shigella) bacterial strains in terms of zone of inhibition (ZOI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). In vivo biological investigations with mice show that the synthesized PG‐ZnO‐NPs possess outstanding biocompatibility and wound healing potential. PG‐ZnO‐NPs dressing significantly speeds up full‐thickness wound repair by triggering a decrease in MMP‐1 and MMP‐2 and escalating the mRNA levels of collagen types (I & III) and fibronectin. Thus, our work validates that the inclusion of PG‐ZnO‐NPs in dressing shows excellent potential for acute wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world is drawn increasingly into a web of shifting geopolitics, battle lines are being drawn and alliances are re-orienting themselves. Working from the premise that the competition between the United States (U.S.) and the People's Republic of China will define the dynamics of the international system for the foreseeable future, this paper takes a look at the U.S.'s evolving posture of Integrated Deterrence and the likely Chinese response, which would have implications for Asian security. It reviews the contours of 'Integrated Deterrence' as it is laid out in the U.S. National Security Strategy 2022 and how this may shape the policy decisions of the U.S. and its partners, especially Taiwan, as well as how major U.S. regional allies, including India are likely to play their role in support of the U.S. interests. The paper also analyses China's strategic thinking, national defence policy and national security objectives that are likely to influence its choices in the evolving great power competition. Taking Taiwan as the case study, the paper finds that in addition to pursuing more traditional approaches, both the U.S. and China will consider influencing domestic public opinion in China and Taiwan as a key focus of their respective policy considerations; it also finds convergences in the related responses of South Asia's two major players, India and Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]