Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is a complex mixture of toxic gases, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene derivatives, metals and diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) generated from the incomplete combustion of diesel fuel. Many of the compounds in this mixture can cause oxidative damage to DNA and are considered carcinogenic for humans. Further, chronic DEE exposure increases risks of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Despite these pervasive health risks, there is limited and inconsistent information regarding genetic factors conferring susceptibility or resistance to DEE genotoxicity. The present study evaluated the effects of polymorphisms in two base excision repair (BER) genes (OGG1 Ser326Cys and XRCC1 Arg280His), one homologous recombination (HRR) gene (XRCC3 Thr241Met) and two xenobiotic metabolism genes (GSTM1 and GSTT1) on the genotoxicity profiles among 123 mechanics exposed to workplace DEE. Polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP. In comet assay, individuals with the GSTT1 null genotype demonstrated significantly greater % tail DNA in lymphocytes than those with non-null genotype. In contrast, these null individuals exhibited significantly lower frequencies of binucleated (BN) cells and nuclear buds (NBUDs) in buccal cells than non-null individuals. Heterozygous hOGG1 326 individuals (hOGG1 326 Ser/Cys) exhibited higher buccal cell NBUD frequency than hOGG1 326 Ser/Ser individuals. Individuals carrying the XRCC3 241 Met/Met polymorphism also showed significantly higher buccal cell NBUD frequencies than those carrying the XRCC3 241 Thr/Thr polymorphism. We found a high flow of particulate matter with a diameter of < 2.5 μm (PM₂.₅) in the workplace. The most abundant metals in DEPs were iron, copper, silicon and manganese as detected by transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed particles with diameters smaller than PM₂.₅, including nanoparticles forming aggregates and agglomerates. Our results demonstrate the genotoxic effects of DEE and the critical influence of genetic susceptibility conferred by DNA repair and metabolic gene polymorphisms that shed light into the understanding of underlying mechanisms.

To address the problems associated with single-objective path planning, herein, we propose a multi-objective path planning method that takes into account emissions, fuel consumption, and time as travel demands. First, a fuel consumption and emission estimation model, suitable for coupling with a dynamic transportation network, is established, and then, the multi-objective path planning model is presented. In addition, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and gray relational analysis are used to derive relative priorities of each sub-objective according to driver preference. The above two models are combined with an improved Dijkstra algorithm to perform multi-objective path planning based on dynamic time-dependent road conditions. Finally, the method is verified using real-world vehicle experiments on actual roads. Compared to single-objective path planning, the multi-objective planning method meets travel needs and can save time and fuel, thereby providing greater environmental protection while still considering driver preferences.

Rice and coffee husks (raw and chemically activated) are examined as potential biosorption materials regarding their capacity to remove U (total), ²⁴¹Am, and ¹³⁷Cs. The physical parameters evaluated were the morphological characteristics of the biomass, real and apparent density, and surface area. Contact times for the batch experiments were 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h, and the concentrations tested ranged between 10% of the total concentration and the radioactive waste itself without any dilution. The results were evaluated by experimental sorption capacity, ternary isotherm, and kinetics models. The kinetics results showed that equilibrium was reached after 2 h for all biomass. Raw coffee husk showed the best adsorption results in terms of maximum capacity (qₘₐₓ) for all three radionuclides, which were 1.96, 39.4 × 10⁻⁶, and 46.6 × 10⁻⁹ mg g⁻¹ for U, Am, and Cs, respectively. The biosorption process for the raw and activated rice husks was best represented by the Langmuir ternary isotherm model with two sites. For the coffee husk, in the raw and activated states, the biosorption process was best described by the modified Jain and Snoeyink ternary model. These results suggest that biosorption with these biomaterials can be applied in the treatment of liquid organic radioactive waste containing mainly uranium and americium.

Hydrogeological active zones found in mine waste (tailings) dumping sites are a major source of concern that threatens the safety of the environment and groundwater, especially in karstic areas. Therefore, detecting and identifying these regions correctly will help in selecting the appropriate sites for tailings disposal and avoid consequential environmental problems. In this study, electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) surveys with high-resolution data were carried out to detect hydrogeological active zones in an area proposed as a settling pond for mining tailings accumulated from El Mochito mine property, located in the north-western section of Honduras. Two-dimensional (2-D) inversion results of thirty-four survey lines revealed several zones of low resistivity. These zones indicate water-/clay-bearing regions that are structurally weak. However, some survey lines, the limestone beneath the surface is entirely compacted; as such, it is considered to be an ideal site for tailings pond construction. In addition, on the eastern side of the valley, there is a large chunk limestone layer that is compacted and can be considered for tailings pond construction. The ERI method provided insight and developed an informative subsurface map to detect the hydrogeological active zones, thus proving it as a beneficial tool used for selecting disposal sites for mining tailings in karstic areas.

This study is anchored on the use of an eco-friendly effective plasma technique and cationization treatment to improve the hydrophobic nature of polyester (PET) fabric by incorporating hydrophilic functional groups onto the PET surface. The PET surface was initially treated with three different plasma gases prior to cationization treatment with quaternary ammonium salt (Quat 188). Madder roots were used, to produce natural dyes for the green coloration of PET fabrics in both dyeing and printing processes. The color strength (K/S) was measured to study the influence of both plasma gases and the cationization treatment on the coloration of PET fabric. Exposure to nitrogen plasma gases prior to the cationization treatment showed promising results for efficient PET coloration, resulting in the selection of nitrogen as a working gas at a flow rate of 3 l/min. The results also demonstrated that by combining the nitrogen plasma technique and cationization treatment, PET fabric with a highly effective surface was obtained, resulting in improved coloration, wettability, tensile strength, and roughness properties.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are 2D nano-sheets where different M²⁺ and M³⁺ metal cations are uniformly distributed in Mg(OH)₂ brucite-like sheets and various charge-compensating anions (Aⁿ⁻) are present in their interlayer spaces. This work includes preparation of different SiO₂@Ni/Cr mixed-metal layered nano-oxide-type catalysts by the calcination of SiO₂@Ni-Cr LDH nano-composite–based alcogel coated over a honeycomb monolithic substrate and their use as a catalytic device for the study of catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) of CH₄ both in the presence of O₂ and in the presence of N₂O under atmospheric pressure at different temperatures not exceeding 500 °C to study the effect of N₂O on the CPO of CH₄. It was observed that in the presence of O₂ the yield of syngas (H₂ + CO) did not exceed 90% whereas in the presence of N₂O about 99.9% syngas (H₂ + CO) was observed. The selectivity towards syngas production reached a maximum value when an optimal reaction condition was maintained at 1:1 CH₄:N₂O mol ratio with a temperature of 500 °C. XPS analysis showed that a NiO-type compound formed on the decomposition of the LDH component after H₂ treatment was reduced to disperse Ni⁰, which acted as an active catalytic species. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of catalytic partial oxidation of CH₄ in the presence of N₂O by SiO₂@Ni-Cr-LDH-based mixed-metal nano-oxide.

This study investigated and identified the distribution of drug resistance genes in feces, soil, and water of duck farms in Zhanjiang, China, and analyzed the drug resistance of Salmonella in the duck farm environment. PCR was used to assess the distribution of 25 resistance genes that are common in the duck farm environment. The isolation, biochemical identification, PCR identification of Salmonella, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 22 drugs were measured by micro-broth double dilution. In water, 25 drug resistance genes were detected, 24 in soil, and 23 in feces. Among them, the detection rate of the aadA1 gene in soil reached 100%, 13 drug resistance genes had a detection rate above 80%, and five species had a detection rate below 50%. In water, the detection rate of the floR and aadA1 genes was 100%, 12 drug resistance genes had a detection rate above 80%, and eight genes had a detection rate below 50%. In feces, nine drug resistance genes had a detection rate of 100%, nine genes had a detection rate above 80%, and one gene had a detection rate below 50%. In addition, 92 strains of Salmonella were isolated and identified, and their resistance rate to nine drugs was as high as 100%. All isolated Salmonella can tolerate at least nine drugs, 55.43% (51/92) of the strains can tolerate more than 16 drugs, and 4.35% (4/92) of the strains were resistant to up to 21 drugs. In conclusion, the present experiment suggested that drug resistance genes were ubiquitous in the duck farm environment in Zhanjiang and that these drug resistance genes may spread horizontally between feces, soil, and water. Moreover, drug resistance and multi-drug resistance were found for 92 isolated Salmonella strains from the duck farm environment. The government should consequently strengthen the regulation of antimicrobial drug use in duck farms.

In this study, ZnCl₂, H₃PO₄, and FeCl₃ were used as activating agents to prepare porous carbons (PC-ZnCl₂, PC-H₃PO₄, and PC-FeCl₃) from cotton textile wastes at a relativity low temperature. The morphology and structure of carbons were characterized by SEM and XRD demonstrating that carbons with porous property were successfully obtained. Textural properties showed that the PC-ZnCl₂ possessed the largest specific surface area of 1854.70 m² g⁻¹ with mesopores domination. Both of micropores and mesopores existed in PC-H₃PO₄. Micropores were well developed in PC-FeCl₃, and the proportion of which was the highest. The FTIR and pHₚzc analysis indicated that all the carbons had acidic characteristics, and more acid functional groups were appeared on the PC-FeCl₃ than others. The different pyrolysis activation paths were proposed by the thermogravimetric analysis, which proved that the addition of activating agents promoted the formation of pores, lowered the pyrolysis temperature of cotton textile wastes, and inhibited the production of volatiles. The results of adsorption kinetics and isotherm revealed that PC-ZnCl₂ exhibited the best adsorption capacity of Cr(VI), and chemical adsorption played a significant role. Meanwhile, surface functional groups of porous carbons also participated in the Cr(VI) adsorption via electrostatic interaction and reduction reaction. Graphical abstract

A growing body of literature suggests that pharmaceutical contamination poses an increasing risk to marine ecosystems. Paracetamol or acetaminophen is the most widely used medicine in the world and has recently been detected in seawater. Here, we present the results of 7 days’ exposure of blue mussel adults to 40 ng/L, 250 ng/L and 100 μg/L of paracetamol. Histopathology shows that haemocytic infiltration is the most observed condition in the exposed mussels. The mRNA expression of VTG, V9, ER2, HSP70, CASP8, BCL2 and FAS in mussel gonads present different patterns of downregulation. VTG and CASP8 mRNA expression show downregulation in all exposed mussels, irrespective of sex. The V9, HSP70, BCL2 and FAS transcripts follow a concentration-dependent variation in gene expression and may therefore be considered good biomarker candidates. ER2 mRNA expression shows a downregulated trend, with a clearer dose-response relationship in males. In conclusion, this study suggests that paracetamol has the potential to alter the expression of several genes related to processes occurring in the reproductive system and may therefore impair reproduction in blue mussels.

In practical conditions, the remediation efficiency is always very limited due to the rapid aggregation and deactivation of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). Porous SiO₂-coated technology can effectively suppress the agglomeration and oxidation of nZVI particle, resulting in the excellent dispersion and stability in water. A series of characterization results show that the porous SiO₂-coated Fe⁰ (Fe⁰@p-SiO₂) was a core-shell structure composite, with Fe⁰ as the core and the porous SiO₂ as the shell. Moreover, the prepared composite material has a large specific surface area (244.04 m²/g). The experiments of nitrobenzene (NB) reduction and one-dimensional simulation column indicated that the different amounts of NaOH in the preparation process lead to the different structures, shapes, and particle sizes of prepared composite materials, which have significant effects on its activity and transportability. Under the conditions investigated, the optimum ratio of Fe⁰@p-SiO₂ synthesis was nFₑ³⁺:n₍Tₑₜᵣₐₑₜₕₒₓy ₛᵢₗₐₙₑ, TEOS₎:nNₐOH = 1:1.85:1.19, and the corresponding reduction efficiency of NB to aniline (AN) and maximum normalized outflow concentration (Cₘₐₓ/C₀) was 100% and 0.79, respectively. The SiO₂-coated technology gives nZVI preparation greater control over the structure, shape, and particle size of modified nZVI composite, which has great potential in in situ remediation of groundwater contamination.