The interaction mechanisms of co-existing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and engineered nanoparticles in environmental waters: A critical review.

This review focuses on the occurrence and interactions of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water systems and the generation of highly complex compounds in the environment. The release of ENPs and BFRs (e.g.

Acute Toxicity and Transgenerational Effects of Perfluorobutane Sulfonate on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), due to its increasing use as an alternative to perfluooctane sulfonate (PFOS), is widely detected in humans and the environment, necessitating the evaluation of its potential ecotoxicological risk. We assessed the toxicity and bioaccumulation potential of PFBS in Caenorhabditis elegans, using lethality, locomotion, reproduction, life span, growth, and chemotactic behavior as the effect parameters. In addition, a total of 6 generations of exposed parent animals were monitored for locomotion, brood, and life span behaviors.

Sorption-desorption of dimethoate in urban soils and potential environmental impacts.

The environmental fate and impact of dimethoate application in the urban environment were assessed in nine selected soils. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model described the kinetics of dimethoate sorption very well in the urban soils exhibiting two distinct phases, an initial partitioning into clay surfaces and soil organic matter, and eventual diffusion into soil micropores. Dimethoate sorption in the urban soils followed the Freundlich model with an R value of 0.

Recent Progress in the Abatement of Hazardous Pollutants Using Photocatalytic TiO-Based Building Materials.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) has been extensively investigated in interdisciplinary research (such as catalysis, energy, environment, health, etc.) owing to its attractive physico-chemical properties, abundant nature, chemical/environmental stability, low-cost manufacturing, low toxicity, etc. Over time, TiO-incorporated building/construction materials have been utilized for mitigating potential problems related to the environment and human health issues.

Movement and Fate of 2,4-D in Urban Soils: A Potential Environmental Health Concern.

The fate and movement of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), in terms of sorption-desorption and leaching potential, were evaluated in urban soils following the batch experimental method. The sorption kinetics of 2,4-D in soils followed both "fast" and "slow" sorption processes that could be well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetics model, suggesting that 2,4-D was partitioned into soil organic matter and clay surfaces, and eventually diffused into soil micropores. The sorption isotherms were linear, following both Langmuir and Freundlich models.

Controversies over human health and ecological impacts of glyphosate: Is it to be banned in modern agriculture?

Glyphosate, introduced by Monsanto Company under the commercial name Roundup in 1974, became the extensively used herbicide worldwide in the last few decades. Glyphosate has excellent properties of fast sorption in soil, biodegradation and less toxicity to nontarget organisms. However, glyphosate has been reported to increase the risk of cancer, endocrine-disruption, celiac disease, autism, effect on erythrocytes, leaky-gut syndrome, etc.

Pesticides in the urban environment: A potential threat that knocks at the door.

Pesticides play a pivotal role in controlling pests and disease infestations not only in urban agriculture but also in non-agricultural settings. Several pesticides like herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. are applied unintentionally at higher concentrations even in small urban areas such as lawns, gardens and impermeable surfaces.

Simultaneous determination of 20 disperse dyes in foodstuffs by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A reasonable, high sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of 20 allergenic disperse dyes in foodstuffs was developed and validated. The obtained results showed that an ultra high liquid performance chromatography system - equipped with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) proved to be ideal for the selected method enabling multidimensional processing of the samples. Under optimized conditions, validation results showed excellent linearity (5-1000 µg/L, r ≥ 0.

Tuberosity healing after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients-does it improve outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is being increasingly used for complex, displaced fractures of the proximal humerus in older patients. Anatomic tuberosity healing in RSA has been recognized to restore better shoulder function. We compared the reported clinical and functional outcomes of RSA in proximal humeral fractures with and without tuberosity healing.

Core-Shell Interface-Oriented Synthesis of Bowl-Structured Hollow Silica Nanospheres Using Self-Assembled ABC Triblock Copolymeric Micelles.

Hollow porous silica nanospheres (HSNs) are emerging classes of cutting-edge nanostructured materials. They have elicited much interest as carriers of active molecule delivery due to their amorphous chemical structure, nontoxic nature, and biocompatibility. Structural development with hierarchical morphology is mostly required to obtain the desired performance.

Sustainable production of biomass and biodiesel by acclimation of non-acidophilic microalgae to acidic conditions.

The overwhelming response towards algal biodiesel production has been well-recognized recently as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. Most microalgae cannot grow well at acidic pH. The present study, therefore, investigated whether non-acidophilic microalgae Desmodesmus sp.

Application of infrared spectrum for rapid classification of dominant petroleum hydrocarbon fractions for contaminated site assessment.

In this study, the infrared spectrum (4000-400 cm) was applied to identify and classify the different alkanes based on carbon chain length (C). It was found there were two bands coherent to the doublet at location 2954 and 2872 cm, respectively can be applied to identify the fraction of carbon chains. From C to C, by the increase of the C, the intensities of the two bands were reduced as demonstrated.

Use of mixed wastewaters from piggery and winery for nutrient removal and lipid production by Chlorella sp. MM3.

The larger-scale generation of piggery and winery wastewaters and consequent eutrophication are quite alarming, necessitating the use of a cost-effective treatment. This study attempted to remediate wastewaters from piggery and winery mixed in the ratios of 20:80, 50:50, 80:20, 100:0 and 0:100, in terms of nutrient removal and subsequent lipid accumulation by soil microalga, Chlorella sp. MM3.

Trace element dynamics of biosolids-derived microbeads.

This study focused on quantifying and characterising microbeads in biosolids (i.e., treated sewage sludge), and in examining interactions of microbeads with trace elements when biosolids are added to soil.

Determination of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Australian Groundwater Through the Improvised Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection Technique.

Assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) from contaminated sites demands routine and reliable measurement at trace levels. However, the detection limits of these methods need to be improved. This study developed the programmable temperature vaporization-large volume injection (PTV-LVI) method to quantify TPHs through gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.

Characterization and reactivity of iron based nanoparticles synthesized by tea extracts under various atmospheres.

Bio-synthesis of Fe NPs in inert (nitrogen N-Fe NPs) and oxygen (O-Fe NPs) atmospheres employing green tea extracts was investigated through SEM, EDS, XPS and FT-IR techniques. The particle sizes of N-Fe NPs and O-Fe NPs were confirmed by SEM showing 84.7 ± 11.

Physics of Fluid Transport in Hybrid Biporous Capillary Wicking Microstructures.

The mass transport capacity (i.e., the capillary limit,) of homogeneous wicks is limited by the inverse relation between the capillary pressure and permeability.

Effects of thermal treatments on the characterisation and utilisation of red mud with sawdust additive.

Extremely large amounts of red mud (bauxite residue) are generated globally every year from alumina refining industries, which are being disposed of on engineered landfills. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of thermal treatments on red mud for development of utilisation strategies. Thermal treatments of red mud samples and their characterisations were investigated under inert (N2) and oxidative (air) conditions with and without sawdust addition at 200-600°C.

Measurement of Capillary Radius and Contact Angle within Porous Media.

The pore radius (i.e., capillary radius) and contact angle determine the capillary pressure generated in a porous medium.

Effect of illumination on colour vision testing with Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test: customized colour vision booth versus room illumination.

Purpose: To evaluate a customized, portable Farnsworth-Munsell 100 (FM 100) hue viewing booth for compliance with colour vision testing standards and to compare it with room illumination in subjects with normal colour vision (trichromats), subjects with acquired colour vision defects (secondary to diabetes mellitus), and subjects with congenital colour vision defects (dichromats).

Methods: Discrete wavelengths of the tube in the customized booth were measured using a spectrometer using the normal incident method and were compared with the spectral distribution of sunlight. Forty-eight subjects were recruited for the study and were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, Normal Trichromats (30 eyes); Group 2, Congenital Colour Vision Defects (16 eyes); and Group 3, Diabetes Mellitus (20 eyes).

Unusual mechanism of tendoachilles injury.

A 67-year-old woman sustained electric shock while using her hair dryer. During this process her left leg shot up in the air following which she could not walk properly with that leg. She attended the accident and emergency and, considering a possibility of an undisplaced fracture of the calcaneum, she was referred to the fracture clinic the next day.

The management of bone loss in revision total knee replacement.

The management of bone loss in revision replacement of the knee remains a challenge despite an array of options available to the surgeon. Bone loss may occur as a result of the original disease, the design of the prosthesis, the mechanism of failure or technical error at initial surgery. The aim of revision surgery is to relieve pain and improve function while addressing the mechanism of failure in order to reconstruct a stable platform with transfer of load to the host bone.