In the reinforcement of micro-cracks and soil, cement grouting often suffers from poor injectability due to particle size limitations. While ultra-fine cement produced through physical grinding can address this issue, it significantly increases cost and energy consumption. Moreover, ultra-fine cement is prone to aging when exposed to moisture and CO2 in the air. To address these issues, this study proposes a new approach for in-situ particle size reduction of cement slurry through the mild corrosion of acetic acid. The refining effect of acetic acid on cement particles was investigated, along with its impact on mechanical properties and hydration products. The results show that acetic acid accelerates cement dissolution, promoting early-stage strength development and microstructure formation. The addition of 1.2 wt% acetic acid reduced the D90 particle size of the slurry by 36.4 %. Acetic acid also enhances the release of Ca2+ from clinker, increasing the precipitation of Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) at early stages, which serves as the primary source of early strength. Additionally, it raises the Ca/Si ratio of the early-formed C-S-H gel. However, excessive acetic acid can inhibit the further development of strength at later stages. The research demonstrates that premixed acetic acid activation is an effective approach for enhancing the performance of cementitious grouting materials, with promising potential to reduce energy consumption associated with physical cement grinding.

Previous research on cadmium (Cd) focused on toxicity, neglecting hormesis and its mechanisms. In this study, pakchoi seedlings exposed to varying soil Cd concentrations (CK, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg) showed an inverted Ushaped growth trend (hormesis characteristics): As Cd concentration increases, biomass exhibited hormesis character (Cd5) and then disappear (Cd40). ROS levels rose in both Cd treatments, with Cd5 being intermediate between CK and Cd40. But Cd5 preserved cellular structure, unlike damaged Cd40, hinting ROS in Cd5 acted as signaling regulators. To clarify ROS controlled subsequent metabolic processes, a multi-omics study was conducted. The results revealed 143 DEGs and 793 DEMs across all Cd treatment. KEGG indicated among all Cd treatments, the functional differences encompass: plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism. Through further analysis, we found that under the influence of ROS, the expression of IAA synthesis and signaling-related genes was significantly up-regulated, especially under Cd5 treatment. This further facilitated the accumulation of reducing sugars, which provided more energy for plant growth. Our research results demonstrated the signaling pathway involving ROS-IAA-Sugar metabolism, thereby providing a novel theoretical basis for cultivating more heavy metal hyperaccumulator crops and achieving phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

Traditional bricks are still the most widely used building material in Madagascar. Bricks are made from clay that is fired for weeks in open-air kilns (600-750 degrees C) by using rice husks, peat, charcoal, coal, and wood as fuels. This process contributes significantly to environmental pollution by emitting CO2 and particles. In addition, the intensive use of wood and charcoal is partly responsible for the deforestation that still taking place on the Red Island. The development of sustainable building materials is therefore of global interest. This research provided a solution by implementing the oxyacetic acid derivative of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as a binder to reduce energy consumption in the preparation of earthen materials. This product was obtained from cashew nut waste and was used in a proportion of 5 to 15% with the red soil of Madagascar. The materials were formulated at a much lower temperature (60 degrees C) compared to the traditional process for 24 to 48 hours in a custom-designed mold. The material with 10% oxyacetic binder from CNSL was a compact, hard solid with higher mechanical properties, including a twice higher compressive strength (5.6 MPa compared to 2.2 MPa) and a higher tensile strength (2.2 MPa compared to 1.6 MPa). This material also had better water resistance after 2 months of immersion; traditional clay bricks absorbed 36.65% of the water, and the material with binder only absorbed 12.62%. This research demonstrates that the utilization of local agricultural waste as a binder is a viable strategy for reducing the carbon footprint of traditional building materials while significantly improving their physico-mechanical properties.

The use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms is an effective agricultural practice to improve plant growth, especially under abiotic stress. In this study, the combined impact of three plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) namely Brevibacterium halotolerans (Sd-6), Burkholderia cepacia (Art-7), Bacillus subtilis (Ldr-2) were tested with Trichoderma harzianum (Th) (possessing ACC deaminase producing activity) in Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Saumya to reduce drought-induced damages to the plants under different level of drought stress [i.e. wellwatered (100 %), moderate (60 %), severe (40 %)]. These PGPB strains, along with Th, were found to be tolerant against osmotic stress when tested in growth media containing different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), and all were found to endure -0.99 MPa water potential. Compared to non-inoculated control, Th+Ldr-2 treatment improved fresh herb weight (62.45 %) and oil content (61.54 %) and higher photosynthetic rate under severe drought. Besides, in relation to control, the above treatment enhanced nutrient uptake, reduced ABA, ACC as well as ethylene levels and increased IAA content in addition to an increase in important constituents of essential oil, indicating better performance in terms of plant growth under drought. Higher RWC, decreased MDA, and reduced antioxidant activities in Th+Ldr-2 treated plants compared to non-inoculated control under drought support the mechanism of the microbes providing tolerance against drought. Colony forming unit of microbes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study support the effective colonisation behaviour of Th+Ldr-2, which protects plants against drought stress. A consortium of diverse microbes, found to improve plant growth under drought through increased nutrient uptake, reducing the levels of ACC and ABA, improving the content of IAA, antioxidant enzymes probably reducing the effect of drought stress and improving plant biomass could be a useful tool to reduce drought-induced losses in crop plants.