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Plastic inevitably accumulates in the environment becoming a persistent. In the present work, we aim at documenting MPs occurrence in three collection spots of the biggest European artificial lake over one year period using infrared microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate MPs colonization by biofilms. PE was the most abundant polymer and biofilms were identified in all plastics. CALIPSOplus: 1004; 202-10133 ST/UR; 212-10726 ST/UR N/A

Micro and nanoplastic are found worldwide in aquatic ecosystems ranging from highly populated industrialized areas to the most remote regions of the planet being a hot research topic and a concern. Marine waters have been the major research focus. Despite less studied, freshwaters are of crucial importance since life in general and human beings in particular are highly dependent of freshwater for drinking and food production. This fact shows that freshwater could function as a vehicle for MPs toxicity through all levels of the ecosystem. Although it has been suggested that toxicity is driven not only by the plastic forming units (monomers) but also by adsorbed pollutants (such as PAH, pesticides, PCBs) and associated microorganisms little is known about the underlying mechanisms. The lack of validated protocols for isolation and a gold standard technique to identify micro/nanoplastics are important issues. Infrared microscopy (IRM) with diffraction-limited infrared synchrotron radiation sources adds resolution to the traditional fingerprint IR spectra being a potential candidate to a gold standard technique not only for micro/nanoplastic identification but also for adsorbed pollutants. In the present work, IRM allowed us to identify MPs isolated from freshwater samples. Polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) were among the most common plastic polymers identified. The colonization of environmental samples of MPs by biofilms was monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our data suggests that the presence of biofilms on MPs does not interfere with polymer identification by IRM. Biofilm assembly on MPs by microorganisms isolated from water samples in conditions mimic those found in their natural’s habitats was followed over 3 months. Biofilm biomass was accessed by spectrophotometric methods whereas SEM was used to evaluate biofilm distribution on the MPs particles. The results obtained in vitro correlate with those observed in “real samples”. Biofilms assembled by the microbial consortium used were more abundant on the most common plastics detected in the environmental samples (PE and PS). Financial Support: INSA (2018DSA1555) and HZB (202-10133-ST/UR-1,1-P) N/A

Evolution of spectroscopic properties of a soda–lime silicate glass with different thermal history and under applied uniaxial stress was investigated using Raman and Brillouin spectroscopies as well as Nd3+ photoluminescence techniques. Samples of soda–lime silicate with a cooling rate from 6 × 10−4 to 650 K/min were prepared either by controlled cooling from the melt using a differential scanning calorimeter or by a conventional annealing procedure. Uniaxial stress effects in a range from 0 to −1.3 GPa were investigated in situ by compression of the glass cylinders. The spectroscopic observations of rearrangements in the network structure were related to the set cooling rates or the applied uniaxial stress to calculate an interrelated set of calibrations. Comparing the results from Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy with Nd3+ photoluminescence analysis, we find a linear dependence that can be used to identify uniaxial stress and cooling rate in any given combination concurrently. The interrelated calibrations and linear dependence models are established and evaluated, and equations relating the change of glass network due to effects of cooling rate or uniaxial stress are given. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

This review focuses on the radiation-induced changes in germanate and tellurite glasses. These glasses have been of great interest due to their remarkable potential for photonics, in terms of extended transmission window in the mid-infrared, ability of rare-earth loading suitable with a laser, and amplification in the near- and mid-infrared or high nonlinear optical properties. Here, we summarize information about possible radiation-induced defects, mechanisms of their formation, and the influence of the glass composition on this process. Special attention is paid to laser-induced structural modification of these glasses, including possible mechanisms of the laser-glass interaction, laser-induced crystallization, and waveguide writing. It is shown that these methods can be used for photostructuring of the glass and have great potential for practical applications. publishedVersion

This article examines the issues of modern development during a civilization crisis. The dominant development type, based upon uncontrolled economic growth, has lead to a disruption in the balance of the biosphere. Ecologic risks have determined the limit of growth – which are flexible, thanks to technological advancements, but are quite palpable. Globalization policy has exacerbated the situation, intensifying competition in the world’s markets and the struggle for gaining access to resources. However, limits to growth are not the same thing as limits to social development. There are certain areas which are not limited, such as culture, education, the arts, sports, and creative activities. There is a new approach emerging in the realm of public opinion when it comes to understanding development: its objective must be personal development and social prosperity. This implies development which is compatible with preserving the natural environment in a suitable condition for living, today and in the future. This constitutes the key meaning of the notion of stable development, which is officially accepted by the global community, but has not yet in fact become a priority for global policy. The transition to a different kind of development has been met with clear and implicit resistance from influential powers, since it implies overcoming extreme cases of inequality, a more even distribution of wealth, and positive international collaboration, which rules out any sort of hegemonic aspirations on anyone’s part. The future is unclear, bearing the possibility for various outcomes. The proper choice of development policy gains crucial importance. Reasonable regulation of global processes based on globally accepted norms and rules can give global development a new quality, adequate to the risks at hand.

International audience; For years, scientists have been looking for different techniques to make glasses perfect: fully amorphous and ideally homogeneous. Meanwhile, recent advances in the development of particle-containing glasses (PCG), defined in this paper as glass-ceramics, glasses doped with metallic nanoparticles, and phase-separated glasses show that these "imperfect" glasses can result in better optical materials if particles of desired chemistry, size, and shape are present in the glass. It has been shown that PCGs can be used for the fabrication of nanostructured fibers-a novel class of media for fiber optics. These unique optical fibers are able to outperform their traditional glass counterparts in terms of available emission spectral range, quantum efficiency, non-linear properties, fabricated sensors sensitivity, and other parameters. Being rather special, nanostructured fibers require new, unconventional solutions on the materials used, fabrication, and characterization techniques, limiting the use of these novel materials. This work overviews practical aspects and progress in the fabrication and characterization methods of the particle-containing glasses with particular attention to nanostructured fibers made of these materials. A review of the recent achievements shows that current technologies allow producing high-optical quality PCG-fibers of different types, and the unique optical properties of these nanostructured fibers make them prospective for applications in lasers, optical communications, medicine, lighting, and other areas of science and industry.

Why does the existing system of power in Russia today, despite its obvious faults in terms of the essential criteria of democracy, nevertheless enjoy broad mass support? One should look for the answer, in particular, in the special characteristics of mass consciousness of Russians. Opinion polls show a high level of support for the idea of strong power and for the values of order and stability as a priority to the principles of liberal democracy, as well as the prevalence of paternalistic expectations. At the same time, the overall picture is mixed, leaving the possibility of different interpretations. The author presents his hypothesis, linking typical characteristics of mass consciousness of Russians with features of the history of the country, the specific conditions in which the Russian statehood, the type of culture and people’s mentality were formed over many centuries. The current regime is finding support in popular consciousness because it bears, like the political system itself, the seal of these conditions. The political systems not constructed in accordance with some ideal model cannot be stable in the long-term, and are a product of historical development of the nation, society and state under the given external conditions.

International audience

International audience