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Even to date, the excessive mining of natural river sand is an unattempted issue. It is a global problem that impacts the river's ecosystem and the environment. This study has attempted to develop a new technique to modify vacant desert sand to replace 100% natural river sand. A technique is introduced in this study to modify desert sand by adding manufactured and recycled sand separately. Four new concrete mixes were prepared with developed modified sand. Additional four mixes were obtained when 12.5% ordinary Portland cement was replaced with silica fume. A detailed compressive strength was evaluated on 8 prepared mixes at curing ages of 3, 7, 28, 56, 91, and 360 days. The physical properties, such as density, absorption, and porosity, were evaluated at 28 days. The sulphuric acid attack was also studied to evaluate durability at 28, 56, 91, and 120 days. The developed concrete mixes with 12.5% silica fume at all curing phases revealed higher compressive strength than those without. The developed sustainable modified sand with 12.5% silica fume filled the pores and absorbed less water than the samples without silica fume. The modified sand with 12.5% silica fume revealed better density, water absorption, and voids and showed better resistance against 5% sulphuric acid solution than those without silica fume. It is concluded that all newly developed mixes showed satisfactory results. Moreover, the mix of (50% desert sand + 50% recycled sand) and 12.5% silica fume is the best sustainable mix for replacing 100% river sand and 12.5% cement from the concrete industry. Highlights A novel methodology has been developed to utilize 50% desert sand in the concrete industry. This study recommends the amendment in ACI-211.1-91 using fine desert sand in concrete. The modified sand concrete that was developed passed the strength and durability criteria. The mix (50%RS + 50%DS2 + 12.5%SF) is the best sustainable concrete for this study.

Shared mobility services furnish convenient transportation alternatives for individuals without vehicle ownership or a preference against driving. Shared mobility could benefit developing countries by providing a cost-effective alternative, enhancing accessibility, reducing congestion, and creating multiple job opportunities. In this study, a comprehensive analysis to assess shared mobility options as an avenue to sustainable transportation in Amman, Jordan, is presented. The study employs a multifaceted methodology, including a survey questionnaire, preliminary analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Model (SEM). The data were collected from a diverse group of Amman residents using a survey composed of 29 questions. The survey included demographic information, travel behavior, willingness to adopt shared mobility, perceived benefits, and possible barriers. These data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), providing an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships among the variables studied. This study concludes by contributing to the ongoing discussion on sustainable urban transportation in Jordan and providing a road map for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation service providers. The presented findings provide an empirical basis for guiding future strategies and interventions toward sustainable urban development in Amman and potentially other urban contexts with comparable characteristics. Key findings reveal a significant potential for shared mobility to enhance urban transportation sustainability. Specifically, a notable positive perception among Amman residents was observed, with an average willingness to switch to shared mobility for daily commuting scoring 4.68 on a 7-point Likert scale. Moreover, a statistical analysis indicates that factors such as reduced costs, improved service reliability, and better environmental sustainability, notably influence the adoption of shared mobility services.

Urban waterlogging due to sudden rainfall leads to critical issues. This study aims to develop sustainable porous asphalt pavement by incorporating different proportions of recycled coarse aggregate. Recycled coarse aggregate from waste laboratory-tested concrete in 19, 12.5, and 9.5 mm sizes was prepared for a porous asphalt mix series (Mix-Types 1-9). The study showed that optimal aggregate ratios performed well in porous asphalt mixes. Mix-Type-3 with the aggregate ratio of 19:12.5:9.5 mm (1:1:0.5) achieved an optimal stability of 8.88 kN at the minimum flow rate. The movement of water flow results revealed that permeability decreases with time. The Mix-Type-3 permeability reductions were found to be 16.75% and 30.14% at 6 and 12 months, compared to the permeability of fresh mixes. The study results revealed that the Mix-Type-3 retained the highest stability level, and the permeability fell within the standard values. Hence, it is concluded that Mix-Type-3 balances in all parameters and is a viable choice for effective and sustainable urban water management.

Natural sand extraction for concrete manufacturing is a global issue for ecological balance and environmental concerns. This study introduced three mixes with three newly developed sand types to replace natural sand in concrete manufacturing. Additionally, three more mixes were made by incorporating optimized 10% silica fume. The durability of the prepared mixes was evaluated at high temperatures of (150–750 °C) at the interval of 150 °C and against immersion in a 5% sulfuric acid solution for 28, 56, 91, and 182 days, respectively. The study’s results reported the stability of the samples up to 300 °C, and then the fall of the samples started at 450 °C. Severe damage in the samples was formed at about 600 °C, and finally, a total collapse was seen at 750 °C. From (150 to 750 °C), the mix TYPE-3SSFC with a sustainable sand combination (50% recycled sand + 45% desert sand + 5% crumb rubber) and 10% silica fume showed better resistance than the other mixes. The compressive strength in the mix TYPE-3SSFC was 20.6%, 16.3%, 14.7%, 21.3%, 26.5%, and 43.2% higher than the mix TYPE-3SC with 10% silica fume. The mix TYPE-3SSFC with optimized 10% silica fume content showed better resistance against 5% sulfuric acid solution than those without silica fume. By morphological analysis, the mix TYPE-3SSFC showed that the interface improved due to the dense interconnectivity of the concrete mix between the crumb rubber paste and silica fume content. A dense calcite crystal was also seen in the mixture, which confirmed the study’s results. The mix with TYPE 2-Sand (100% recycled sand) revealed inferior results, low stability, and high damage. Thus, 100% recycled sand is not recommended for structural concrete.

The removal of topsoil from agricultural land and the use of low-quality fuel to produce fired clay bricks affect the environment, disturbing the ecological balance and contributing to climate change. This study has attempted to produce sustainable concrete hollow blocks by replacing OPC with a combination of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) (5–25% fly ash) optimally (10% silica fume and 5% recycled aggregate fine dust). Furthermore, 100% of the developed sustainable sand was added instead of natural sand. Based on the results, the highest compressive strength, 7.6 MPa, was achieved in the mix 15FASFRAHB with the combination SCMs (15% fly ash + 10% silica fume + 5% recycled aggregate fine dust), slightly higher (2.7%) than that of the reference mix NAHB*’s value of 7.4 MPa. All hollow block mixes also satisfied the tensile strength criterion (10–15% of f’c of NAHB*). This showed that they reached the acceptable strength limit for building hollow blocks. In addition, the SCMs effectively reduce the permeability coefficient (k) of sustainable concrete hollow block mixes. However, a direct correlation between the permeability coefficient (k) and compressive strength was not maintained. Finally, the best overall mix from this study, 15FASFRAHB, was with an optimal 30% SCMs and 100% sustainable sand. By using developed sustainable concrete hollow blocks in place of fired clay bricks (6.48 × 10[sup.7] tons of CO[sub.2] emission), 1.2 × 10[sup.9] tons of natural sand can be saved.

The extraction of unsustainable natural resources like sand and topsoil for construction is disturbing ecological balance, affecting local hydrology and wildlife. The inter-governmental panel of climate change (IPCC) has discussed its adverse impacts worldwide and has restricted its extraction. This article has mooted some of its potential threats and remedies to combat climate change and other social issues associated with the brick industry. Bricks made of clay are commonly used as a building material for masonry works in densely populated South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. To make clay bricks, the topsoil of the floodplain area where most agriculture productivity is carried out is utilized in millions of tons every year. The main drawbacks of topsoil removal are the depletion of the seed bank, removing soil biota, and diminishing soil properties and functions. Furthermore, the process often involves burning firewood as emitting fuel CO2, SO2, NO2, and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Thus, the clay brick-making industry contributes to greenhouse gases directly affecting soil fertility. The primary focus of this review article is to promote research on flyash-based bricks for the brick industry and provide safe and cost-effective sustainable materials to substitute clay bricks. This review article presents the worldwide production of clay bricks and their harmful impact on the environment. The current and future scenarios on flyash, systematic literature review (SLR) on flyash-based bricks, the practical utility of clay and flyash-based bricks, and issues and opportunities were also discussed. The findings obtained from the past published studies on flyash-based bricks give an insight to the researchers. The review article also presents the prospects for researchers and designers.

This experimental study produced recycled sand–silica fume–hair fiber concrete to enhance concrete sustainability. Recycled sand and silica fume can be used to address the environmental issues caused by excessive river sand mining and the carbon footprint of the concrete industry. In addition, waste hair fibers (0.5–2%) were introduced to enhance the properties of newly developed concrete mixes. The absolute volume method was employed for four newly developed sustainable concrete mixes. A 100 mm slump was set as a structural concrete requirement, which was maintained by adding 0.5%, 1%, 1.4%, 1.9%, and 2.6% of the admixture by weight of the cement to the proposed mixes. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and density of the hardened concrete mixtures were estimated. The study results show that combining optimized 10% silica fume with 0.5–2% hair fibers enhanced the properties of the newly developed sustainable mixes. The slump threshold was met when 1.5% of hair fibers were mixed with 10% silica fume, 50% manufactured sand, and 50% recycled sand. However, the splitting tensile strengths of the mixes with 1.5% and 2.0% hair fibers were found to be almost the same at 5.62 MPa and 5.65 MPa, respectively. The bulk density of the mixes increased with increasing percentages of hair fibers. Furthermore, in the mixes with 1.5% and 2.0% hair fibers, the bulk density was very similar at 2.708 g/cm3 and 2.792 g/cm3, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded from the study results that concrete containing recycled sand, silica fume, and hair fibers in optimal percentages is acceptable as structural concrete.

Natural sand and high OPC utilization in the concrete industry have affected our environment and caused climate change. This study developed a novel methodology to prepare modified sand by adding (50% R-Sand + 50% M-Sand) to replace 100% natural sand. The two SCMs (5–20% of FA) and 10% of optimized SF were added to the four newly developed concrete mixes. The developed sustainable design mix concrete achieved the design and target strength after a curing period of 28 days. The findings for flexural strength showed comparable trends. Significant strength improvement was also seen at later curing ages, till 182 days. The water absorption and sulfuric acid attacks of the design mix concrete at the hardened stage were also measured. The analysis reveals that water absorption percentages tend to decline as the curing age progresses. The developed mixes show better resistance against sulfuric acid attacks than the reference mix NAC*. A mass loss of around 5% was discovered, much closer to the published studies. The developed mix 15FASFRSC showed consistent results when the modified sand (50% R-Sand + 50% M-Sand) was combined with the SCMs of (15% FA + 10% SF). Hence, the mix 15FASFRSC is the best sustainable mix for the concrete industry.

By sequencing the exomes of 10,503 individuals living in Pakistan, the authors identify rare predicted loss-of-function mutations that are estimated to knock out genes and correlate these mutations with a broad range of phenotypes, providing a framework for a human knockout project. Human gene knockout study Understanding the function of every human gene is one of the major goals in biomedicine and analysing phenotypes in individuals with loss of function mutations in a particular gene is one way to gain such insight. Sekar Kathiresan and colleagues systematically examined predicted loss-of-function mutations from sequencing data, making preliminary efforts to investigate their functional relevance through phenotypic association. They sequenced the exomes of 10,503 individuals living in Pakistan and participating in the PROMIS study. They identified 49,138 rare predicted loss-of-function mutations that are estimated to knock out 1,317 genes, each in at least one participant, and tested for association with a panel of 201 traits measured in blood samples. The authors demonstrate the usefulness of a reverse-genetics approach, which involves recruiting participants by genotype, and discuss a framework for a human knockout project. A major goal of biomedicine is to understand the function of every gene in the human genome 1 . Loss-of-function mutations can disrupt both copies of a given gene in humans and phenotypic analysis of such ‘human knockouts’ can provide insight into gene function. Consanguineous unions are more likely to result in offspring carrying homozygous loss-of-function mutations. In Pakistan, consanguinity rates are notably high 2 . Here we sequence the protein-coding regions of 10,503 adult participants in the Pakistan Risk of Myocardial Infarction Study (PROMIS), designed to understand the determinants of cardiometabolic diseases in individuals from South Asia 3 . We identified individuals carrying homozygous predicted loss-of-function (pLoF) mutations, and performed phenotypic analysis involving more than 200 biochemical and disease traits. We enumerated 49,138 rare (<1% minor allele frequency) pLoF mutations. These pLoF mutations are estimated to knock out 1,317 genes, each in at least one participant. Homozygosity for pLoF mutations at PLA2G7 was associated with absent enzymatic activity of soluble lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2; at CYP2F1 , with higher plasma interleukin-8 concentrations; at TREH , with lower concentrations of apoB-containing lipoprotein subfractions; at either A3GALT2 or NRG4 , with markedly reduced plasma insulin C-peptide concentrations; and at SLC9A3R1 , with mediators of calcium and phosphate signalling. Heterozygous deficiency of APOC3 has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease 4 , 5 ; we identified APOC3 homozygous pLoF carriers in our cohort. We recruited these human knockouts and challenged them with an oral fat load. Compared with family members lacking the mutation, individuals with APOC3 knocked out displayed marked blunting of the usual post-prandial rise in plasma triglycerides. Overall, these observations provide a roadmap for a ‘human knockout project’, a systematic effort to understand the phenotypic consequences of complete disruption of genes in humans.

Public involvement in reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) generates a broader database on drug safety. Underreporting remains a hindrance to implementing an effective pharmacovigilance system that ultimately affects public health. Hence, it is critical to appraise the public's awareness of ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance to address the gaps for the enhancement of ADR reporting rate. The current study explored public knowledge and attitudes toward ADR reporting in Karachi, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from 3rd Jan 2022 to 30th Nov 2022 using a forty-item questionnaire to evaluate public insights regarding the ADR and its reporting. Descriptive analysis was executed to determine frequencies and percentages for the respondents' baseline characteristics and the responses toward ADR reporting. The chi-square test (χ2) was applied to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables considering a p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant. The response rate of the present study was 78.3%. More than 80% of the respondents deemed that ADR occurs only with high doses of medicines and over-the-counter medications do not cause any ADR. More than 75% of the respondents did not know that the ADR reporting form is available on the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) website; the response varied significantly with the education (p = 0.002) and social status (p = 0.0001) of the respondents. More than 50% of the participants refused to ever report an ADR to health professionals. Physicians (n = 364; 47.7%) and pharmacists (n = 253; 33.1%) were the respondents' professed most reliable sources to whom ADR can be reported; responses varied significantly with their education (p = 0.003) and age (p = 0.001). The study has provided insight into the challenges and gaps needed to improve ADR reporting in Pakistan. The outcomes revealed that the public is aware of the benefits of reporting ADRs; however, they do not realize their role and the potentially significant impact on the healthcare system by contributing to ADR reporting. Therefore, it is a need of time to educate the public on the value of reporting ADRs and implement user-friendly and accessible ADR reporting systems in patient care areas to facilitate easier reporting.