This paper analyzes the effects of ethnic and religious diversity on air pollution for 187 countries around the world (categorized into high-income, middle-income and low-income countries) from 1990 to 2020. We determine the long-run relationship between the variables using panel-fixed effects and GMM models. Air pollution emission factors are spatially explicit into emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the Alesina’s fragmentation index has been used to calculate ethnic and religious diversity. The results show that ethnic and religious diversity both have significant negative impacts on air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2). Furthermore, the results are more significant for high-income and middle-income countries and vice versa for low-income countries. This study suggests that diversity is a natural phenomenon; however, its disastrous effects may be curtailed by providing equal opportunities and promoting a peaceful society, as done in high-income countries, to ensure the well-being of the people through cohesiveness. Policymakers need to promote collective action and communication among different groups while acknowledging that investment for public benefits often requires broad social consensus and solidarity.

Purpose This study aims to measure whether admittance in the quarantine ward due to COVID-19 can affect one’s mental health. Nowadays, many countries worldwide are battling with the threat of the COVID-19 contagion, and it is difficult to understand how the pandemic leaves psychological impacts on one’s well-being. Design/methodology/approach This research used qualitative and quantitative approaches to assess the psychological impacts of quarantine due to COVID-19. Population of the present study were 250 patients who were admitted in quarantine centres of Pakistan. The data analysis was conducted through univariate analysis using (ANVOVA) software. Findings This study found that patients who were quarantined due to the COVID-19 infection displayed multiple psychological symptoms such as a lack of self-control, anxiety, low general health and vitality, depression and negative well-being. Practical implications There is an urgency to provide psychological treatments to each afflicted person and their family members to establish a healthy community. Originality/value This research investigates whether admittance in the quarantine ward due to COVID-19 can affect mental health in Pakistan.

Monosaccharide- and polysaccharide biopolymer-stabilized rhenium oxide nanoparticles (ReOxNPs) were effectively applied for deactivation of furazolidone (FRz) and chloramphenicol (ChRP) dissolved in solutions. The employed for that purpose monosaccharide- and polysaccharide biopolymer-stabilized ReOxNPs were synthesized in a two-step procedure. In the first step, the raw-ReOxNPs were produced using a cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP)-based approach. In the second step, the raw-ReOxNPs were incorporated within either D-fructose or Arabic gum, acting as mono- and polysaccharide matrices. Optical and granulometric properties of the so-obtained stabilized ReOxNPs were revealed using several experimental techniques such as UV/Vis absorption spectrophotometry (UV/Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray scattering (EDAX), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that the produced raw-ReOxNPs, fructose-stabilized ReOxNPs, and Arabic gum-stabilized ReOxNPs were a blend of Re0 and different O-doped Re species, that were octahedral in shape and exhibited the size of 240.6, 461.8, and 7.54 nm, respectively, as was determined using DLS. The obtained ReOxNPs led to losses of FRz in 97, 91, and 62%, for raw-ReOxNPs, fructose-ReOxNPs, and Arabic-gum-stabilized ReOxNPs, respectively, as was estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC–DAD). The applied approach led to the 100% conversion of ChRP by raw-ReOxNPs, while the saccharide-stabilized nanostructure turned out to be inefficient in reducing ChRP. The method described here might be applied as a tempting alternative to other methods used in the wastewaters purification processes. Graphical Abstract