BURA Community:

Dermal uptake of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from skin contact with polystyrene microplastic particles.

2026-06-07T17:16:39Z

Title: Dermal uptake of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from skin contact with polystyrene microplastic particles. Authors: Abafe, O; Harrad, S; Abdallah, M Abstract: Despite the listing of HBCDD in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention, the environmental contamination and human health impact of HBCDD is predicted to last for decades due to HBCDD remaining in global in-use products, the waste stream and various consumer products due to uncontrolled recycling e.g., expanded and extruded polystyrene building insulation materials, toys, utensils. Recent studies from different countries have confirmed the presence of polystyrene (PS) microplastics (MPs) in air and dust from various indoor microenvironments. However, the risk arising from dermal exposure to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), which was widely used as additive flame retardant in expanded and extruded PS remains unknown. To address this gap, we experimentally determined the dermal bioavailability of HBCDDs upon skin contact with PS-MPs using a 3-dimensional human skin equivalent model. All three isomers measured, i.e., α-, β- and γ-HBCDD were dermally bioavailable. Whilst the fraction of HBCDDs that accumulated within the skin tissue after 24 h exposure ranged between 5 to ~ 8% of the dose of HBCDD in the exposed PS-MP, complete skin penetration to the bloodstream within 24 h was low for all isomers, evidenced by the dermal flux, J_ss and the apparent permeability coefficient, P_app. Observed differences among HBCDD isomers were driven mostly by their physicochemical properties e.g., Log K_OW and water solubility. Moreover, dermal uptake of HBCDD was greater under a sweaty skin condition. Overall, internal exposure to HBCDDs arising from skin contact with PS-MP was evident, albeit low. However, the possibility of increased risk due to prolonged exposure or higher concentrations of HBCDDs in PS-MPs is plausible and cannot be ignored. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request.; Supplementary materials are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772416626002743#sec0023 .

A BIM-Integrated Stage-Gated Framework for Mitigating Strategic Design Errors in Infrastructure Projects

2026-06-06T10:18:07Z

Title: A BIM-Integrated Stage-Gated Framework for Mitigating Strategic Design Errors in Infrastructure Projects Authors: Alisawi, AT; Alrubaye, RF; Collins, PEF Abstract: Design errors remain a persistent challenge in infrastructure delivery, particularly when strategic errors introduced during early design stages propagate into later project phases. This study develops a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-integrated stage-gated framework to mitigate strategic design errors across the infrastructure design lifecycle. The proposed approach embeds interdisciplinary coordination, iterative model federation, and structured verification checkpoints throughout conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases. The framework was implemented through a BIM workflow using Civil 3D, Revit, and Navisworks and applied to the Al Najaf Airport Road project in Iraq as a case study. A standards-based geometric and functional assessment was conducted to evaluate both the baseline design and the redesigned solution developed through the proposed framework. The analysis revealed that the baseline design satisfied only 39% of the evaluated design criteria, indicating significant geometric and operational deficiencies. After applying the BIM-integrated framework, the redesigned scheme achieved full compliance with the evaluated standards while eliminating previously undetected coordination conflicts. Model-based analyses also enabled targeted traffic and drainage assessments, helping identify and mitigate potential risks such as flooding susceptibility and unsafe junction configurations prior to construction. The findings demonstrate that early and continuous BIM integration can function as a proactive design assurance and risk management mechanism rather than a late-stage coordination tool. The proposed framework contributes a structured methodology for preventing strategic design errors and improving reliability in BIM-enabled infrastructure projects. Description: Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are contained within the article.

Waste Prevention and Minimisation in Western Consumer Behaviour: Is It Attainable?

2026-06-06T02:00:37Z

Title: Waste Prevention and Minimisation in Western Consumer Behaviour: Is It Attainable? Authors: Iacovidou, E; Gerassimidou, S; O’Shiel, D Abstract: By delving into the waste crisis in Western hyperconsumerist societies as an analytical case study, this study advances an actionable theory of minimalism to address systemic overproduction and overconsumption. Drawing on the interdisciplinary literature, the study analyses the structural, cultural, and psychological drivers of waste generation, synthesising critiques of hypercapitalism and hyperhedonism into a unified theoretical framework that exposes systemic lock-ins and the conflation of wants with socially legitimised needs. In response, the study develops a minimalist ethics framework that repositions sufficiency as a guiding principle for systemic transformation. Minimalism is conceptualised not as an individual restraint but as a multidimensional governance strategy capable of informing economic, technical/technological, regulatory, ecological, and cultural interventions to effectively tackle the waste crisis in Western hyperconsumerist societies. Description: Data Availability Statement: No new data were created or analysed in this study. Any data presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Bamboo-derived carbon induced self-assembly of Mg-modulated Ni–Co layered hydroxide heterostructures for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

2026-06-05T02:00:31Z

Title: Bamboo-derived carbon induced self-assembly of Mg-modulated Ni–Co layered hydroxide heterostructures for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors Authors: Li, M; Zhang, Q; Lin, Z; Cai, Q; Luo, L; Qiang, J; Rao, J; Fan, M; Zhao, W; Zeng, Q Abstract: Bamboo is an abundant and fast-growing lignocellulosic resource with considerable potential as a sustainable precursor for functional carbon materials. In this work, bamboo-derived carbon microspheres were employed to induce the self-assembly of Mg-modulated Ni-Co layered hydroxide heterostructures, forming a hierarchical composite electrode denoted as NCM@BC. During synthesis, the carbon microspheres acted not only as conductive supports but also as heterogeneous nucleation sites for hydroxide growth, leading to an open architecture that facilitated electrolyte penetration and charge transport. Meanwhile, Mg incorporation regulated the local coordination environment of the Ni-Co hydroxide phase and improved the structural stability of the layered framework during repeated redox reactions. As a result, the optimized NCM@BC-20 electrode delivered a specific capacitance of 1226.8 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 with favorable rate capability. Furthermore, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor, using NCM@BC-20 as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode, operated over a 1.6 V voltage window, achieved an energy density of 63.16 Wh kg−1 at 800 W kg−1, and retained 89.1% of its peak capacitance after 6000 cycles. These results demonstrate that bamboo biomass can be converted into a value-added carbon component that not only directs heterostructure formation but also contributes to enhanced electrochemical performance, providing a practical route for the development of sustainable carbon-based electrode materials. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request.; Supplementary material is available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669026007910?via%3Dihub#sec0090 .