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Abstract Disinfection by-products (DBPs) in indoor swimming pool water and air have long been a critical human health risk concern. This study investigated the effects of several indoor swimming pool design and management factors (e.g. ventilation, water treatment, pool operations, pool type) on the concentrations of DBPs, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and chloramines, in pool water and air. Two sampling campaigns, A and B, were carried out to measure the concentrations of DBPs under different conditions. In both campaigns, 46 pool water samples, seven tap water samples, and 28 ambient air samples were collected and analyzed. Regression models were also developed and validated for investigating the combined effects of design and management factors on total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and trichloramine. The model results show that pool water characteristics (e.g., total organic content, temperature, conductivity, pH and alkalinity) and management factors (e.g., the number of bathers and sprayers) have direct effects on DBP concentrations. Pool water characteristics such as UV absorbance, hardness, and oxidation-reduction potential and a management factor UV intensity have inverse effects on DBPs levels. Based on the correlation analysis, other factors such as fan speed, fresh air, pool age, and basin area were found to be correlated with the concentrations of individual THMs and trichloramine in both water and air. It was also observed that the concentration of THMs varies with pool type. It is note worthy that the effects of the number of sprayers was quantified for the first time. This study comprehensively assessed pool design and management factors and identified their effects on DBPs, providing indoor swimming pool facilities with useful information to control DBPs in the indoor swimming environment. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Disinfection by-products in air and water were analyzed at five aquatic centers. • Effects of water treatment processes on trihalomethanes and trichloramine were compared. • Correlation of design and management factors with disinfection by-products was evaluated. • Regression models were developed for trihalomethanes and trichloramine. • First time to quantify the effect of number of spray features on air and water quality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global efforts are in rapid progress to tackle the emerging conundrum of climate change-induced heat stress in grassland ecosystems. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) are known to play a crucial role in plants' abiotic stress regulation, but its response in alfalfa against heat stress has not been explored. This study aimed at assessing the effects of n-ZnO on alfalfa under heat stress by various morpho-physiological and cellular approaches. Five-week-old alfalfa seedlings were subjected to foliar application of n-ZnO as a pretreatment before the onset of heat stress (BHS) to evaluate its effect on heat tolerance, and as a post-treatment after heat stress (AHS) to evaluate recovery efficiency. In vitro studies on Zn release from n-ZnO by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS) disclosed that the particle uptake and Zn release were concentration dependent. The uptake and translocation of n-ZnO examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM) reveling showed that n-ZnO was primarily localized in the vacuoles and chloroplasts. TEM images showed that ultrastructural modifications to chloroplast, mitochondria, and cell wall were reversible by highest dose of n-ZnO applied before heat stress, and damages to these organelles were not recoverable when n-ZnO was applied after heat stress. The results further enlightened that 90 mg L−1 n-ZnO better prevented the heat stress-mediated membrane damage, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidant systems and enhancing osmolyte contents in both BHS and AHS. Although, application of 90 mg L−1 n-ZnO in BHS was more effective in averting heat-induced damages and maintaining better plant growth and morpho-physiological attributes compared to AHS. Conclusively, foliar application of n-ZnO can be encouraged as an effective strategy to protect alfalfa from heat stress damages while minimizing the risk of nanoparticle transmission to environmental compartments, which could happen with soil application. [Display omitted] • The n-ZnO stimulated morpho-physiological responses in alfalfa under heat stress. • Release of Zn from n-ZnO confirmed by ICPMS, and presence in leaves by TEM. • The n-ZnO triggered antioxidant system sheltered alfalfa from oxidative damage. • Gas exchange traits and osmolyte agents improved cell microstructure by n-ZnO. • Results applicable for sustainable nanoparticle approaches to mitigate heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The Family Impact Scale for Hoarding (FISH) was designed to assess the disruption experienced, by members of a familial or social circle, due to one individual's hoarding difficulties. The scale was drafted to examine two aspects of impact: accommodation and burden. The current study describes the scale's development and preliminary validation. Methods: One hundred thirty-four adults, identifying as the relative of someone with problematic hoarding (n=102) or normative collecting behavior (n=32), completed the FISH alongside measures of hoarding severity, burden, functional impairment, and quality of life (QoL). Exploratory factor analysis (FA) was used to examine the scale’s factor structure. Internal consistency, known-groups and convergent validity were also investigated. Results: FA supported two factors, accounting for 65.43% of variance. Of the scale items, 16 were determined to load onto these factors. Items that did not load were omitted. The revised scale accounted for 67.41% of variance and was characterized by good internal consistency (α=0.86). This measure also differentiated between study groups and demonstrated strong correlations with measures of severity and burden. Regression indicated the FISH better predicted group membership than existing measures of burden, impairment or quality of life. Discussion: The FISH is a promising measure of family impact in the context of (HD). Its psychometric properties and utility in monitoring outcomes of caregiver-based interventions should be investigated further. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Drought is a major environmental threat that affects plant growth and productivity. Strategies to mitigate the detrimental impacts of drought stress on plants are under scrutiny. Nanotechnology is considered an effective tool in resolving a wide range of environmental issues by offering novel and pragmatic solutions. A pot experiment was performed to determine the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as a foliar application (25 mg L−1 and 100 mg L−1) on the growth performance of cucumber subjected to drought stress. Applied ZnO NPs under normal conditions resulted in significant growth and biomass enhancement while reducing drought-induced decline. Photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and PSII activity enhanced due to ZnO NPs application, attaining maximal values at 100 mg L−1 of ZnO NPs. Drought stress restricted growth and biomass buildup in cucumber seedlings by stimulating oxidative stress, which was manifested to excessive buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxidation, thereby decreasing membrane functioning. Plants exposed to ZnO NPs exhibited a reduction in ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation. The substantial reduction in oxidative damage was manifested with the enhancement of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant components. The phenol and mineral contents were reduced due to drought stress. In addition, the content of proline, glycine betaine, free amino acids, and sugars increased due to ZnO NPs under normal and drought conditions. Furthermore, the drought-induced decline in the content of phenol and mineral nutrients was mitigated by ZnO NPs foliar application. These findings reveal that exogenous ZnO NPs application may be a pragmatic option in dealing with the drought stress of cucumber seedlings. [Display omitted] • Drought stress severely affects plant growth. • The use of ZnO NPs is a promising strategy to mitigate drought stress. • ZnO NPs show increased antioxidant defense system, nutrient absorption, and osmolytes accumulation in cucumber seedlings. • Reduction in ROS, lipid peroxidation is observed in ZnO NPs treated seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic centres (ACs) are becoming exceedingly popular in the urban agglomerations of cold climate countries like Canada but functioning without assessing the state of their sustainability performance. Previous studies examined health and safety, water and indoor air quality, and energy consumption aspects without aiming at the holistic sustainability performance assessment. The present research is the first systematic effort for benchmarking of ACs. A hierarchical-based framework arranged 81 performance indicators to appraise the key components, including water management, indoor environment, personnel, service quality, energy, social, and operations. Fuzzy AHP and fuzzy mean clustering methods evaluated the identified PIs based on the opinion of experts (from Canadian aquatic centres) on their importance, measurability, and understandability. Finally, the selection process ranked a set of 63 most suitable PIs under 14 sub-criteria. Fuzzy-based methods efficiently handled the subjective scoring process and the difference of opinion among the experts. The criteria performance indices inform the top-level management while the sub-indices stipulate the operations management for honing in the lacking indicators. Using the selected PIs, the AC's management can allocate the available resources for both the short-term (e.g., efficient response to complaints) and long-term (e.g., replacing failed manually operated fixtures with the sensor-operated ones) improvement actions. The selected PIs will enhance the sustainability of ACs in Canada and other cold regions around the globe through a structured benchmarking process. Unlabelled Image • Aquatic centres are facing issues in attaining sustainability objectives. • Seven performance criteria and 81 indicators were identified for assessment. • Expert opinion were gathered from five aquatic centres. • Weights were generated using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. • Sixty-three performance indicators were selected using fuzzy c-means clustering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a finite resource. Increasing population, rapid urbanization, and climate change incidents are continuously adding pressure on freshwater supplies. Overcoming these issues require change in current urban water management (UWM) strategy. In this study, a conceptual model of One Water Community has been developed that aims to reduce potable water use (R PWU) using One Water Approach (OWA). Based on OWA's six guiding principles, five interventions (i.e., control factors) and sixteen parameters have been identified. Each parameter is simulated twice by running 10,000 iterations to calculate a percentage reduction of potable water use at 90th, 50th, and 10th percentiles. A Taguchi-based optimization method has been used to determine the optimum combination of parameters from each of the five control factors [water saving appliances (WSA), reclaimed water use (RWU), resource recovery (RR), low impact development (LID), and good governance (GG)]. L 16 orthogonal array experimental design plan was considered in conducting the trials. ANOVA analysis showed that RWU, RR, and WSA were the most influential factors on R PWU performance at 90th, 50th, and 10th percentiles. Validation tests validated the model by predicting the S/N ratio at the optimum condition. The findings indicated that water sense labeled urinals, reclaimed water for agriculture purposes, emissions reductions from treatment plants, bioswales, and increased public awareness were the most optimum parameters in achieving the highest potable water reduction potential at the 90th percentile. The developed model will open new avenues in UWM, which will assist decision-makers in building sustainable, reliable, and resilient urban water systems. [Display omitted] • One Water Approach concept is capable to bring a change in urban water management. • A conceptual model of One Water Community was developed based on six principles. • Five factors and sixteen parameters were identified to reduce potable water use. • A Taguchi based technique was employed to determine optimum parameters combination. • Experimental values were greater than predicted values to justify the optimum condition established in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major cause of liver disease throughout the world, is difficult to treat with interferon (IFN) (and various formulations and combinations thereof) being the only approved molecule available. It has been investigated recently that proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) induced by HCV partially inhibits the antiviral IFN-α therapy. Therefore, the current study was aimed to prospectively utilize the baseline IL-8 levels in the HCV infected serum and predicts its role in sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN-α+ribavirin therapy, in chronic HCV patients in Pakistan. One hundred and ten hepatitis C patients without any other infections underwent IFN-α+ribavirin combination treatment. Baseline IL-8 levels were determined before starting of the therapy for all these patients. Fifteen normal volunteers negative for HCV were kept as control. The baseline IL-8 levels were found significantly higher in all HCV positive patients as compared to normal healthy volunteers (1083.54±85.72pg/ml versus 6.99±1.05pg/ml [mean±SEM], p <0.01) and were also significantly higher in non-responders than responders (p <0.05). Comparatively higher mean baseline IL-8 levels were observed in non-responders (2442.02±159.92pg/ml), than late (1009.31±45.31) and rapid (540.91±27.06pg/ml) responders. Significant relation was observed between baseline IL-8 level and response to IFN therapy (p <0.01). Results of this study suggest that increased levels of IL-8 in HCV infection might be involved in pathogenesis, persistence and resistance to IFN-α+ribavirin combination therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The continuously mutating nature of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for the emergence of varying genotypes in different regions of the world affecting the disease outcome. The objective of the current study was to find out the pattern of HBV genotypes circulating in Pakistan. HBV genotypes were determined in HBV chronic patients of different age and gender from all the four different geographical regions (provinces) of Pakistan for a period of 2 years (2007–2009). Out of the total 3137 consecutive patients, 300 (175; 58.3% males and 125; 41.7% females) were randomly selected for HBV genotype A through H determination using molecular genotyping methods. Total 269 (89.6%) isolates were successfully genotyped where as 31 (10.3%) samples failed to generate a type-specific PCR band and were found untypable. Out of the successfully genotyped samples, 43 (14.3%) were with type A, 54 (18%) were with type B, 83 (27.6%) were with type C, 39 (13%) were with type D, 2 (0.6%) were with type E, 4 (1.3%) were with genotype F and total 44 (14.6%) were with mixed HBV infections. Of the mixed genotype infection cases, 16 were with genotypes A/D, 9 were B/C, six were A/D/F, five were with genotypes A/F, two were with A/B/D and B/E and one each for A/C as well as A/E genotypes. Four common genotypes of HBV found worldwide (A, B, C & D) were isolated from Pakistan along with uncommon genotypes E and F for the first time in Pakistan. Overall Genotype C is the most prevalent genotype. Genotypes B and C are predominant in Punjab & Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, respectively whereas genotype A in Sindh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human health risk-based life cycle assessment (LCA) framework was developed for selecting low-impact water treatment systems with a focus on heavy metal(loids) removal. The framework comprises three phases, including pilot-scale water treatment, human health risk assessment (HRA), and LCA. The application of the framework was demonstrated by a case study. Two water treatment systems employing ozonation-greensand-ferric hydroxide-based sorbent (OGF) and Birm-ferric hydroxide-based sorbent (BF) processes were used to reduce arsenic and manganese concentrations in the source water of a small municipality in southwestern Canada. The heavy metal(loids) concentration as well as material and energy use data of the two systems were collected to perform HRA and LCA. The results showed that both systems can reduce arsenic and manganese concentrations; however, the removal efficiencies of OGF and BF processes decreased with the increase of treatment volume. At a constant inflow rate, the ferric hydroxide-based sorbent needed to be replaced every 31 and 25 days in the OGF and BF processes, respectively, to ensure that arsenic concentration in the effluent would not pose any significant human health risk. The LCA results indicated that the system using the OGF process generated lower life cycle environmental impacts than the system using the BF process throughout ten years' operation. It was also found that the arsenic removal process was the largest impact contributor in both systems. The manufacturing of ferric hydroxide-based sorbent and disposal of arsenic-contaminated treatment waste accounted for the highest impact in water treatment. Image 1 • A health risk-based LCA framework is proposed for assessing water treatment systems. • Two water treatment systems designed for arsenic and manganese removal are assessed. • Human health risk assessment determines acceptable adsorbent replacement frequency. • System using ozonation-greensand-ferric oxyhydroxide treatment shows lower impacts. • Arsenic removal process generates the highest life cycle environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]