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Abstract Despite the ubiquity of waste disposal in urban environments, there is little standardization of receptacle or signage design within and across jurisdictions. In three experiments, we explored the impact of waste disposal signage design on disposal behavior. Specifically, we were interested in two primary questions in signage design: 1) what type of waste disposal information should be presented; and 2) how the information should be presented. We found that signs containing either icons or pictures of permitted items improved sorting performance compared to signs containing only words of the items; consistent positioning of the signs improved sorting performance compared to random positions for both pictures and icons; and presenting both permitted and prohibited items can interfere with performance when the signs are icons. The current study provides experimental evidence to demonstrate that the design of waste disposal signage can impact waste sorting performance in meaningful ways and highlights the need for graphical signage and bin standardization. Highlights • Signage style impacts waste-sorting decisions. • Icons and pictures are better than words. • Consistent ordering of signs improves performance. • Permitted-only signs are as good, or better, than permitted and prohibited signs. • Attention to the perception of environmental cues can improve environmental behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental benign non-noble NiCu catalysts with well-distributed homogeneous nanoalloy structure was fabricated from layered double hydroxide for semi-hydrogenation of acetylene. Compared with monometallic Ni catalyst, the introduction of Cu enhanced ethene selectivity and decreased the deactivation rate in long-term reaction. Furthermore, to give a thorough understanding on structure dependent performance, conventional impregnation was also used to obtain bimetallic NiCu catalyst for comparison. Interestingly, imp-NiCu/MMO presented the mixture of monometallic Ni, Cu and bimetallic NiCu. Catalytic results indicated that 100% conversion was achieved at 160 °C with improved selectivity (>70%) over NiCu nanoalloy catalyst, while bimetallic NiCu catalyst with mixed structure showed both poor conversion (50%) and selectivity (65%). Enhanced activity was attributed to small particle size (3.2 nm) and high metal dispersion (31.4%). Improved selectivity and anti-coking ability were related to the alloying of Ni with Cu, which was conducive to isolate Ni atoms from one another confirmed by STEM-EDX and transfer electron from Cu to Ni certified by XPS. Additionally, superior performance was also found in semi-hydrogenations of hexyne, phenylacetylene, 1,2-diphenylethyne and ethyl phenylpropiolate over NiCu nanoalloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of reducible Mg-Ti mixed oxides supported PdAg catalysts with tunable acidity/basicity were synthesized for selective acetylene hydrogenation, to investigate the implications of acid-base property on the nature of active component. Catalytic performance of PdAg/Mg x Ti 1− x O y varied with Mg/Ti ratio increasing as volcano curve, which corresponded well with amount of medium acid and weak basic sites. PdAg/Mg 0.5 Ti 0.5 O y exhibited >99% conversion and 83.8% selectivity at 70 °C. Enhanced activity was attributed to the promoted hydrogen-spillover effect by moderate acidic sites of Mg 0.5 Ti 0.5 O y support, which facilitated hydrogen activation/dissociation. Preferred selectivity was reasonably owing to the significant geometric effect resulting from high alloying degree of Pd-Ag, which increased the number of Pd linearly coordinated sites, and therefore facilitated the desorption of ethene. Additionally, the increased Pd electronic density caused by the electron transfer from the basic sites and Ti 3+ species of Mg 0.5 Ti 0.5 O y support also contributed to the improvement of selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The volume of solid waste has increased significantly in the past century, directly contributing to global environmental problems. Public engagement with waste sorting is crucial to the diversion of solid waste from landfill and the reduction of contamination in waste streams. The current study aims to promote recycling and composting accuracy via a digital sorting game that provides immediate feedback. In this game, participants manually sorted items into four bins (food scraps, recyclable container, paper, and garbage) via a computer interface, and received immediate feedback on their performance after each trial. We found that immediate feedback improved sorting accuracy as measured by correct key presses (Experiment 1) or motion trajectory (Replication 1), even when feedback was no longer provided. This improvement in sorting accuracy remained a week after playing the game (Replication 2). We then implemented this game in residences, and found that after residents played this game, the weight of compost materials increased while the contamination rate decreased (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that providing immediate feedback in a digital sorting game can be an effective tool to engage and educate the public to increase recycling and composting rates. Highlights • We developed and tested a digital sorting game to improve sorting accuracy. • Immediate feedback on sorting accuracy was provided after each trial in the game. • The game increased recycling and composting accuracy even after one week. • The game increased compost rates and reduced contamination in student residences. • This game can be a useful education tool to increase recycling and composting adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide in agriculture, and it has garnered significant attention because of its potential risks to the environment and human health. The extensive utilization of atrazine, alongside its persistence in water and soil, underscores the critical need to develop safe and efficient removal strategies. This comprehensive review aims to spotlight atrazine's potential impact on ecosystems and public health, particularly its enduring presence in soil, water, and plants. As a known toxic endocrine disruptor, atrazine poses environmental and health risks. The review navigates through innovative removal techniques across soil and water environments, elucidating microbial degradation, phytoremediation, and advanced methodologies such as electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation (EKPR) and photocatalysis. The review notably emphasizes the complex process of atrazine degradation and ongoing scientific efforts to address this, recognizing its potential risks to both the environment and human health. [Display omitted] • Atrazine's ubiquitous application contributes to its persistent environmental residues. • Its accumulation in soil, water, and crops highlights global ecological hazards. • A seminal synthesis of atrazine's toxicological impact on flora and fauna presented. • Comprehensive review of atrazine's repercussions on both terrestrial and marine life. • Recent advancements in decontamination strategies for atrazine detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a Th cell-mediated inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease. MS cannot be cured, and long-term drug treatment is still needed for MS patients. In this study, we examined the effect of belinostat, a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and elucidated its mechanism of action. We found that belinostat alleviates the clinical symptoms, histopathological central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination outcomes in EAE mice. Compared to the MS oral drug dimethyl fumarate (DMF) (100 mg/kg), belinostat (30 mg/kg) treatment exhibited better efficacy in improving the clinical symptoms of EAE mice. Belinostat treatment significantly suppressed the activation of M1 microglia and the proinflammatory cytokine expression; but it had no effects on the M2 microglial polarization. Belinostat also decreased both NO and iNOS levels in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. Accordingly, belinostat treatment of EAE mice significantly inhibited activation of the TLR2/MyD88 signaling pathway and downregulated the expression of HDAC3 while upregulating the acetylated NF-κB p65 levels. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that belinostat ameliorates EAE in mice through inhibiting neuroinflammation via suppressing M1 microglial polarization, and implicating belinostat as a potential candidate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. [Display omitted] • Belinostat alleviates the clinical symptoms and histopathological CNS inflammation outcomes in EAE mice. • Compared to DMF (100 mg/kg), belinostat (30 mg/kg) conveyed better effects in improving the clinical symptoms of EAE mice. • Belinostat suppresses the activation of M1 microglia and proinflammatory cytokine expression both in vitro and in vivo. • Belinostat inhibits neuroinflammation via TLR2/MyD88 and HDAC3/ NF-κB p65 signaling pathway suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To simultaneously achieve thorough purification of acetylene and maximum ethene increment, a sea urchinlike trimetallic PdAuAg mesocrystal catalyst as targeting sample and cuboctahedral trimetallic PdAuAg x and bimetallic catalyst as control samples were prepared by a co-reduction method, immobilized on MgAl hydrotalcite. Compared with bimetallic PdAu and PdAg catalysts, trimetallic PdAuAg x catalyst gave prior selectivity due to the positive synergetic effect. Significantly, PdAuAg 2 mesocrystal catalyst exhibited a turnover frequency of 0.063 s −1 , 46.5% higher than that of cuboctahedral PdAuAg 2 catalyst. A 76.2% ethene selectivity was achieved for the thorough purification of acetylene over PdAuAg mesocrystal catalyst with H 2 :C 2 H 2 of 2:1. Further improving H 2 :C 2 H 2 to 3, 76.5% yield can be maintained at 140 °C. Enhanced activity of the mesocrystal catalyst could be attributed to a high concentration of defect sites and a low activation barrier. Improved ethene selectivity could be ascribed to the increase in the (1 1 1)/(1 0 0) facets ratio and the formation of a Pd-C phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]