Militarization is crucial for the sovereignty of a nation; however, there are many environmental hazards associated with increased military spending. Previous panel studies mainly captured the short-run effects of militarization on the environment. Limited scholars determined the long-run environmental impacts of militarization but they mostly ignored possible cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity problems in panel data. Our research highlights this deeply neglected area and examines the impact of militarization on the environment in 22 OECD countries by controlling economic growth, renewable energy, and fossil fuel consumption. Drawing on an extensive dataset from 1971 to 2020, we employed advanced econometric approaches robust against endogeneity, heterogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence. The results of the cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distribute lag (CS-ARDL) analysis indicate a positive contribution of militarization to CO₂ emissions implying that militarization is adding to the environmental degradation in OECD nations. This evidence proves the treadmill of destruction theory for OECD nations in the modern world. Economic growth and fossil fuels consumption increase CO₂ emissions, while renewable energy mitigates emissions. Moreover, economic growth Granger causes militarization. Our results suggest that reduction in militarization level and energy conservation strategies will not hamper the economic progress of selected OECD countries.

In this study, the use of copper(II) oxide (CuO) powders as catalyst and continuous wave (CW) multimode semiconductor diode laser (450 nm) was investigated for decolorization of Basic Red 18 (BR18) and Reactive Red 180 (RR180) aqueous dye solutions. The effects of laser power (0.5–2.5 W), pH of solution (2–10), CuO catalyst loading (0.25–1.50 g/L), H₂O₂ concentration (0.28–2.22 mg/L), initial dye concentration (20–60 mg/L) were studied systematically. Maximum removal efficiency was observed as 100% for RR180 and 94.34% for BR18 under the optimum conditions. Kinetic analysis of BR18 and RR180 dye decolorization reaction indicated that the overall rate order of the reaction was the pseudo first order. CuO demonstrated satisfactory reuse capability as the catalyst for five consecutive cycles without any decrease in its activity for RR180 dye.

We are facing the challenge of rapid growth in waste from electrical products (e-waste). In Europe, handling e-waste is regulated by the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which is based on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) model as a regulatory tool forcing manufacturers and importers to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycles. However, the directive allows for great variations in implementations in each country, causing e-manufacturers and e-waste handling operators to face challenges in their transition to more sustainable operations. To identify the challenges involved, this study investigates the effect of the WEEE directive from a manufacturer’s perspective. A case study of an e-manufacturer operating subsidiaries in several European countries and the associated producer responsibility organizations (PROs) is presented. The case study includes interviews from 17 stakeholders in 12 organizations in eight European countries. Key findings are as follows. First, the WEEE data reported are not harmonized. Second, the calculations of the environmental fee differ across countries. Third, following up on different national WEEE obligations sometimes leads to over-reporting to avoid negative effects on environmental corporate social responsibility, brand reputation, and profitability. Fourth, outsourcing end-of-life (EoL) treatment responsibility to PROs is seen as positive by the manufacturer but results in a decoupling of the EPR and the operational EoL treatment, which may reduce efforts to transfer to a higher circularity level of its EEE products. Fifth, WEEE is considered a way for e-manufacturers to handle waste not to adopt a circular focus. This paper contributes to both practitioners and researchers within reverse logistics and sustainability by adding knowledge from real-life context of how EPR is implemented in WEEE.

The co-occurrence of heavy metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) from hospital effluents spreading into the river receiving systems and evaluating associated risks are topics of scientific interest and still under-studied in developing countries under tropical conditions. To understand the selectors of the ARGs, we examined the occurrence of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn), associated ARB (β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli, β-lactam-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) and ARGs (blaOXA, blaCTX₋M, blaIMP, blaTEM) in water and sediments from two sub-urban rivers receiving urban and hospital effluent waters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). High abundances of ARB and ARGs were observed in all sediment samples. All the metal contents correlated negatively with grain size (− 0.94 ≤ r ≤ − 0.54, p < 0.05) except for Ni and positively with organic matter content and total copies of 16 s rRNA (0.42 ≤ r ≤ 0.79, p < 0.05), except for Ni and Zn. The metals had a significant positive correlation with the faecal indicator Enterococcus except for Ni and Cd (0.43 ≤ r ≤ 0.67, p < 0.05). Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae correlated negatively with Zn (r = − 0.44, p < 0.05) and positively with all the rest of toxic metals (0.58 ≤ r ≤ 1.0, p < 0.05). These results suggested that some metals had a great influence on the persistence of ARB and ARGs in sediments. Overall, this study strongly recommends the managing urban wastewater to preserve water resources used for human and agricultural purposes. Additionally, we recommend the utilizing biological indicators (faecal indicator bacteria, ARB, ARGs) when investigating urban wastewater pollutions.

Uranium tailing ponds are a potential major source of radioactive pollution. Solidification treatment can control the diffusion and migration of radioactive elements in uranium tailings to safeguard the surrounding ecological environment. A literature review and field investigation were conducted in this study prior to fabricating 11 solidified uranium tailing samples with different proportions of PVA fiber, basalt fiber, metakaolin, and fly ash, and the weight percentage of uranium tailings in the solidified body is 61.11%. The pore structure, volume resistivity, compressive strength, radon exhalation rate variations, and U(VI) leaching performance of the samples were analyzed. The pore size of the solidified samples is mainly between 1 and 50 nm, the pore volume is between 2.461 and 5.852 × 10⁻² cm³/g, the volume resistivity is between 1020.00 and 1937.33 Ω·m, and the compressive strength is between 20.61 and 36.91 MPa. The radon exhalation rate is between 0.0397 and 0.0853 Bq·m⁻²·s⁻¹. The cumulative leaching fraction of U(VI) is between 2.095 and 2.869 × 10⁻² cm, and the uranium immobilization rate is between 83.46 and 85.97%. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the physical and mechanical properties, radon exhalation rates, and U(VI) leaching performance of the solidified samples, the basalt fiber is found to outperform PVA fiber overall. The solidification effect is optimal when 0.6% basalt fiber is added.

Semiconductor photocatalysis technology has shown great potential in the field of organic pollutant removal, as it can use clean and pollution-free solar energy as driving force. The discovery of silver phosphate (Ag₃PO₄) is a major breakthrough in the field of visible light responsive semiconductor photocatalysis due to its robust capacity to absorb visible light < 520 nm. Furthermore, the holes produced in Ag₃PO₄ under light excitation possess a strong oxidation ability. However, the strong oxidation activity of Ag₃PO₄ is only achieved in the presence of electron sacrifice agents. Otherwise, photocorrosion would greatly reduce the reuse efficiency of Ag₃PO₄. This review thus focuses on the structural characteristics and preparation methods of Ag₃PO₄. Particularly, the recent advances in noble metal deposition, ion doping, and semiconductor coupling, as well as methods of magnetic composite modification for the improvement of catalytic activity and recycling efficiency of Ag₃PO₄-based catalysts, were also discussed, and all of these measures could enhance the catalytic performance of Ag₃PO₄ toward organic pollutants degradation. Additionally, some potential modification methods for Ag₃PO₄ were also proposed. This review thus provides insights into the advantages and disadvantages of the application of Ag₃PO₄ in the field of photocatalysis, clarifies the photocorrosion essence of Ag₃PO₄, and reveals the means to improve photocatalytic activity and stability of Ag₃PO₄. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical and methodological basis for studying Ag₃PO₄-based photocatalyst and also compiles valuable information regarding the photocatalytic treatment of organic polluted wastewater.

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is closely related to cardiopulmonary diseases; it is known that the respiratory system is related to the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of traffic-related PM₂.₅ (TRPM₂.₅) and water-soluble components (WSC) on hearts of asthmatic rats and explore potential molecular mechanisms. Here, ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized asthmatic rats were intratracheally instilled with TRPM₂.₅ and WSC every 3 days in total of eight times. Significant myocardial pathological changes were observed in the TRPM₂.₅ and WSC group by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) results demonstrated TRPM₂.₅ and WSC aggravated apoptosis of myocardial cells, which may be triggered by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), as manifested by elevated GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-12. Likewise, TRPM₂.₅ and WSC activated autophagy via upregulation of LC3 and p62 gene and protein expression. In conclusion, TRPM₂.₅ and WSC may aggravate heart injury in asthmatic rats, possibly through the activation of ERS and autophagy signaling pathway.

The development of the energy sector has played a major role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollution. The situation thus necessitates rigorous actions for climate compatible development (CCD). The energy sector is context-dependent, due to which response strategies for CCD are quite challenging particularly in the context of energy crises and the actors’ capacity issue in developing countries. This study was aimed at exploring the role of government actors involved in governing the energy sector, with the objective to assess their capacity using a set of principles, criteria, and indicators (PCIs). The study attempted to answer the question: is the capacity of the line departments involved in energy governance adequate to achieve the targets set under SDG-7 and SDG-13? For this purpose, the study employed a combination of “Rules-based” and “Rights-based” governance approaches at all tiers of governance, i.e., federal, provincial, and district levels. Actors’ capacity was assessed by developing a governance index based on the scoring of PCIs. Three hundred forty key informant interviews (KIIs) and 17 focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted at federal, provincial, and district levels where respondents were asked to score each of the indicators. Responses were then statistically analyzed and validated. The findings revealed that departments at the federal level are playing an effective role and are adequately equipped to align SDG-7 and SDG-13 with energy sector development. However, departments at the provincial and district levels are still lagging behind to achieve the desired objectives, which demonstrate the need to enhance the capacities of provincial and district line departments.

To ensure the realization of carbon neutrality and emission peak, the Chinese government promulgated the pilot policy for an emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2011 and gradually expanded the range of the pilot program. However, it has not been systematically studied whether this policy can achieve double dividend and its transmission mechanism. Based on the Porter hypothesis, this paper explores the impacts of an ETS on macro emission reduction and microeconomic performance, verifies the influence of an ETS on double dividend, and analyzes its transmission mechanism using a difference in difference (DID) model and mediation model. The results indicate that an ETS can reduce CO₂ emissions and remarkably improve the economic performance of the enterprises in the areas it is enacted. A double dividend has been realized, which verifies Porter’s hypothesis. The mechanism test shows that from the macro perspective, the emission reduction effect of an ETS is mainly achieved by adjusting the energy structure and through local government regulations. In contrast, the mediation effect on the industrial structure is not apparent. From a micro perspective, an ETS mainly affects the economic situation of enterprises through cash flow and technological innovation. Moreover, the transmission effect of enterprises’ low-carbon behavior is not apparent. Heterogeneity analysis shows that compared with Midwestern China, an ETS could reduce emissions by adjusting the energy structure in Eastern China. Also, compared with state-owned or large enterprises, an ETS helps improve the economic performance of small or non-state-owned enterprises through technological innovation. This paper provides empirical evidence from macro- and microperspective for evaluating an ETS, conducive to improving the top-level framework of China’s future carbon market operation.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that is produced by the lymphoid cells and plays a major role in immunological functions for controlling the homeostasis of the immune system. VIP has been identified as a potent anti-inflammatory factor, in boosting both innate and adaptive immunity. Since December 2019, SARS‐Cov‐2 was found responsible for the disease COVID‐19 which has spread worldwide. No specific therapies or 100% effective vaccines are yet available for the treatment of COVID‐19. Drug repositioning may offer a strategy and several drugs have been repurposed, including lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, favipiravir, and tocilizumab. This paper describes the main pharmacological properties of synthetic VIP drug (Aviptadil) which is now under clinical trials. A patented formulation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), named RLF-100 (Aviptadil), was developed and finally got approved for human trials by FDA in 2001 and in European medicines agency in 2005. It was awarded Orphan Drug Designation in 2001 by the US FDA for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome and for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2005. Investigational new drug (IND) licenses for human trials of Aviptadil was guaranteed by both the US FDA and EMEA. Preliminary clinical trials seem to support Aviptadil’s benefit. However, such drugs like Aviptadil in COVID‐19 patients have peculiar safety profiles. Thus, adequate clinical trials are necessary for these compounds.