In recent years, there has been growing interest in measuring the environmental efficiency of the different territories, countries, and/or nations. This has led to the development of different methods applied to the evaluation of environmental efficiency such as the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. This method, supported by different studies, allows measuring relative environmental efficiency (eco-efficiency) and is consolidated as a very reliable method to measure the effectiveness of environmental policies in a specific geographical area. The objective of our study is the calculation of the environmental efficiency of the 28 member countries of the European Union (UE) through the DEA method. We will collect the data regarding the last years in which there are reliable comparative data in all. We will study in reference to them, the results of the environmental policies applied in the different countries, in order to make comparisons between countries and classify them according to their environmental efficiency. Using this, two variants of calculation within the DEA method to compare in a contrasted way the results of environmental efficiency for the 28 countries of the EU analyzed and propose possible solutions for improvement. Contributing in this work as main novelty the application of a new variant of the DEA method, which we will call improved analysis method (MAN) and that aims to agglutinate and assess more objectively, the results of the two DEA methods applied. The results show that there are 14 of the 28 countries that have a high relative environmental efficiency. However, we also find countries with very low environmental efficiency that should improve in the coming years. Coinciding precisely in this last group with countries recently admitted to the EU and where environmental policies have not yet been applied effectively and with positive results.

In this study, crayfish shell was pyrolyzed at 600 °C to obtain an unmodified biochar (CS600). MgCl₂ was used as a modifier to pretreat crayfish shell to produce a modified biochar (CS600-MgCl₂) under the same pyrolysis conditions. The two biochars were characterized for physicochemical properties and evaluated for lead (Pb²⁺) sorption ability to determine the modification mechanism. Mono-element batch adsorption experiments were conducted to compare the sorption performances of CS600 and CS600-MgCl₂ to Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions. All the experiments were carried out at pH of 7. According to the Freundlich–Langmuir model, CS600-MgCl₂ had a higher adsorption capacity (152.3 mg/g) than CS600 (134.3 mg/g). FTIR, SEM, XRD, BET, and ICP analyses were applied to inform the interpretation of the mechanism. CS600 was calcium-rich and mainly removed Pb²⁺ through the ion exchange mechanism by replacing Ca²⁺ in the biochar. The increased Pb²⁺ adsorption capacity of CS600-MgCl₂ was mainly due to the enlarged specific surface area and the formation of Mg₃(OH)₅Cl·4H₂O on the modified biochar. Findings of this study suggest that both CS600 and CS600-MgCl₂ can be used to remove heavy metal ions from wastewater and MgCl₂ can improve the sorption performance of biochar.

Rosa persica is a member of the Rosaceae family that has a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, the antioxidant and therapeutic potential of this plant was investigated on cadmium (Cd)-induced hepatotoxicity. Rosa persica extract (RPE) was prepared by a maceration method in hydroalcoholic solvent, and its antioxidant properties were determined. Then, 36 mice were divided to six groups and treated for 2 weeks as follows: control, Cd (3 mg/kg), RPE (50 mg/kg), and groups 4–6 received Cd (3 mg/kg) and 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg of RPE respectively. The total polyphenol, flavonoids contents, and total antioxidant capacity in RPE were measured 263.4 ± 7.2 mg rutin equivalent/g extract, 72.3 ± 2.3 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, and 8.46 ± 0.27 μmol ferrous sulfate/g extract, respectively. The in vivo results showed that Cd elicited remarkable hepatic injury that was manifested by the significant increase in serum hepatic enzymes. In addition, Cd significantly increased the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and decreased total thiol molecules (TTM) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in hepatic tissue. However, RPE decreased serum hepatic enzyme levels and improved oxidative hepatic damage by lowering the LPO and TNF-α levels and raising TAC and TTM in in Cd-treated groups. Although the RPE increased the metallothionein (MT) protein content, there was no change in MT gene expression. The present study showed that the RPE due to having antioxidant properties might partially prevent hepatic oxidative damage by the improvement of oxidant/antioxidant balance in animals exposed to Cd.

Illicit drugs (IDs) and their metabolites are recognized as contaminants of emerging concern. After consumption, illicit drugs are partially metabolized and excreted unchanged in urine and feces or as active metabolites reaching wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Furthermore, most WWTPs are insufficient in the treatment of effluents containing IDs, which may be released into aquatic ecosystems. Once in the water or sediment, these substances may interact and affect non-target organisms and some evidences suggest that illicit drugs may exhibit pseudo-persistence because of a continuous environmental input, resulting in long-term exposure to aquatic organisms that may be negatively affected by these biologically active compounds. We reviewed the literature on origin and consumption, human metabolism after consumption, aquatic occurrences, and toxicity of the major groups of illicit drugs (opioids, cannabis, synthetic drugs, and cocaine). As a result, it could be concluded that illicit drugs and their metabolites are widespread in diverse aquatic ecosystems in levels able to trigger sublethal effects to non-target organisms, besides to concentrate in seafood. This class of emerging contaminants represents a new environmental concern to academics, managers, and policymakers, whose would be able to assess risks and identify proper responses to reduce environmental impacts.

The global distribution of microplastic (particle size < 5 mm) is of growing concern, especially in aquatic environments where it may cause adverse effects on resident organisms. To date, however, few studies have focused on the impacts of microplastic on aquatic plants. Here, we conducted a microcosm study to investigate the toxic effects of microplastic on the carnivorous aquatic macrophyte Utricularia aurea Lour. Based on microscopic images and Raman spectrum analysis, we found that most polyvinyl chloride (PVC) particles were smaller than the valve of U. aurea bladders, thus allowing entrance into the plant, but this was not so for polyethylene (PE) particles. Furthermore, PVC (50 mg L⁻¹) had significantly negative effects on growth and physiological parameters such as macrophyte length, chlorophyll content, and fluorescence, whereas, at the same concentration, PE had no such effects. Further analysis revealed that after bladder removal, the macrophytes did not respond to PVC particle toxicity. Thus, intake of microplastics (i.e., PVC) through bladders is likely responsible for inducing toxic effects to the growth and physiological parameters of U. aurea.

The intermittent nature of solar energy is a dominant factor in exploring well-designed thermal energy storages for consistent operation of solar thermal-powered vapor absorption systems. Thermal energy storage acts as a buffer and moderator between solar thermal collectors and generators of absorption chillers and significantly improves the system performance. Vapor absorption chillers are available in half, single, double, and triple-effect modes of operation and operate at temperatures ranging from 75 to 220 °C to produce a cooling effect with COPs ranging from 0.3 to 1.8. Thus, the selection of appropriate solar collectors and thermal energy storages are two significant decisions affecting the consistency of output of a vapor absorption refrigeration system. The present review of state of the art is focused on the appropriate selection, from among different types of solar collectors available to meet the demand of capacity and degree of thermal energy required in operating absorption chillers at optimum performance. Characteristics of various thermal energy storage systems and their integration with solar thermal collectors and absorption chillers are also investigated to meet the demand for heat during non-sunshine hours or periods of low solar intensity. In the latter section, economic feasibility is explored so that a sustainable solar cooling system can be proposed which can work consistently with the best performance throughout its entire life.

This paper presents a critical review of the main research progress and application of Shirasu concretes in Japan recently. As a kind of pyroclastic-flow deposits, Shirasu aggregate was considered as one kind of nonstandard aggregates for modern concrete industries because it usually has a low density and a high water content rate, and also contains a large amount of fine powder on its surface. However, with the considerations that Shirasu has a high level of pozzolanic activity and can be available widely and easily in Japan, many studies had been performed in Japan in the last two decades. The key concerns in the paper focus on the basic fresh properties of Shirasu raw material, the mix design, and the basic material properties of Shirasu concretes. Based on this review, several recommendations were provided for future works. Through the review, Shirasu concrete considered as a construction material could present accepted material properties compared with traditional concrete, including basic fresh and mechanical, and durability properties. It was suggested to apply concrete structures with careful concerns and recommended to structures under several special environments. Using this aggregate, several kinds of high-performance concrete also could be produced.

Rapid expansion of juvenile fish after biomanipulation can delay the successful restoration of submerged macrophytes, leading to a turbid water status in subtropical shallow lakes. Aimed to test the effects of direct removal of juvenile crucian carp (Carassius carassius) on water quality and growth of two submerged macrophytes Vallisneria natans and Hydrilla verticillate, a short-term outdoor mesocosm experiment was conducted in the Taihu Laboratory for Lake Ecosystem Research (TLLER). The results indicated that the concentrations of TN, TP, suspended solids, and chlorophyll a decreased significantly with increasing removal density of juvenile crucian carp, thus resulting in a clear status of the water. Additionally, the mean relative growth rate of V. natans and H. verticillata in the low- and high-density removal treatments were higher than that in the controls. Moreover, the removal of juvenile crucian carp also significantly increased the stem length of V. natans, but no significant effect on that of H. verticillata. Meanwhile, the total number of V. natans and H. verticillata in the low- and high-density removal treatments was higher than that in the controls, but all of H. verticillata were lower than the initials. Our results indicated that removing juvenile crucian carp could improve the water quality, increasing relative growth rate, height, and reproduction of V. natans, and improving the survival rate of H. verticillata. The promotion of fish removal on the V. natans growth was greater than H. verticillata. The results also implied that it was necessary to continuously remove the juvenile benthivorous fish several times for restoring the submerged macrophytes in shallow lakes.

Rapid urbanization and the excessive human harvesting of forests have led to a continuous decline in the carrying capacity of forests in China. As a result, quantitative means of measuring forest resource carrying capacity are greatly needed, with a view to identifying problem areas and their causes and formulating effective response strategies. This paper puts forward a framework and methodology for constructing a forest resource carrying capacity index (FRCCI). To do this, we first calculate a forest ecological security index (FESI), using an evaluation index system. Ideal FESI values are then simulated by introducing a forest ecological location coefficient (FELC), and the FRCCI is obtained as the difference between the ideal FESI and the FESI. The study considers the 1086 counties that compose the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China, using forest and socioeconomic data for 2015. The resulting FRCCI values indicate that the forests of Yunnan province are generally in a state of “no overload,” while Sichuan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces occupied a state of “critical overload” and Anhui and Jiangsu provinces experienced “general overload.” The spatial pattern of the FRCCI in the study region presented significant centralization, with high FRCCI values mainly clustered in areas in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and low FRCCI values mainly clustered in areas in the midstream and downstream reaches of the River. The study identifies 416 counties identified as forest carrying capacity problem areas (38.31% of the study area); these areas were mainly concentrated in Shanghai and Anhui province. We argue that a number of measures would be helpful in improving FRCCI values, including promoting the forest state index by strengthening reforestation as well as afforestation, reducing the external pressure on forests by means of energy saving and emission reduction strategies, and formulating comprehensive policy measures to promote the carrying capacity of forests in the whole study area and in the problem areas.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat that causes over 700,000 deaths per year worldwide. The goal of the current multicenter, cross-sectional study was to identify the knowledge and practice gaps in antimicrobial stewardship among Egypt’s undergraduate medical students. Nine-hundred and sixty-three participants (375 male) from 25 medical schools responded to our self-administered questionnaire. Overall, the majority of students (96%) exhibited fair/satisfactory knowledge and attitude scores towards AMR. However, the most common misconceptions were that skipping one or two antimicrobial doses does not contribute to AMR (43%) and that antimicrobials are the drug of choice for the treatment of sore throat (38.8%). About 36% of the students thought that bacteria cause common cold and influenza. In terms of practices, about 62% of the students reported taking antibiotics when they have cough or sore throat and saving the remaining antibiotic for the next time. About 48% of the students reported that when they start feeling better, they stop the antibiotic course, and 41% stated that they often/sometimes discard the remaining leftover or share the leftover antibiotics with their friends. Interestingly, males had more frequently poorer levels of knowledge than females (p = 0.02). Moreover, students in the clinical science years (p < 0.001), living in urban areas (p = 0.02) or Cairo (p < 0.01) reported better practices than their counterparts. Educational programs about antimicrobial stewardship and the role of healthcare professionals in preventing AMR should be introduced early in medical curricula. Further, active educational techniques as clinical scenarios that simulate clinical settings and interactive learning workshops would be more efficient teaching methods.