Search

• EU-23 panel data links circular economy to ecological footprint (2010–2020). • Stronger policies needed; recycling has limited impact on footprints. • Boosting secondary raw material markets reduces ecological footprints. • Invest in eco-innovation and sustainable food for broad impact. • Targeted policies like zero deforestation for municipal waste. In this era of global ecological overshoot, understanding the interplay between the circular economy and ecological footprint is vital. This study examines data from the EU-23 from 2010 to 2020 using panel regression methods. It explores the long-term relationships between ecological footprint types and circular economy indicators, such as per capita municipal waste generation, the municipal waste recycling rate, investment, circularity rate, and trade in recyclable materials. This study revealed four key findings. 1) All ecological footprints showed negative or minimal growth, except for forest footprints. Positive yet weak elasticities were found in forest ecological footprint factors, such as municipal waste generation, investment, and recycling rate. 2) The municipal waste recycling rate displayed negligible negative elasticities in total and carbon footprints. 3) Investment elasticities all footprint categories except carbon footprint were generally positive, but slight, indicating an ecological footprint. 4) The circularity rate showed negative elasticities in total and carbon footprints, particularly for the latter. These insights suggest that targeted investments in waste management and zero-waste technologies can reduce the ecological footprint. The EU should also diversify investments beyond energy efficiency, including protecting, restoring, and enhancing forests as well as eco-friendly food systems. Encouraging secondary raw material markets can significantly reduce ecological footprints. The policy implications emphasize investing in zero-waste technologies and diversifying investments for ecological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study uses the Group of Twenty (G20) as a representative sample of global economic development. Within a panel Emissions–Energy–Output (EEO) framework over the period 1991–2016, to estimate the Carbon Kuznets Curve (CKC), the clean/fossil fuels energy consumption (CE/FF) elasticity of demand for carbon emissions, the causalities between emissions, energy, and economy, and thus to propose strategy for decoupling environmental pressure from economic growth (EG). The results of the descriptive statistical analysis suggest an absolute decoupling effect seems to have occurred with the drop in related environmental pressure and the continuation of economic growth. The panel cointegration test results show that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between carbon emissions, FF, real GDP, and different types of CE [i.e., new renewable (Ren)/hydropower (Hydro)/nuclear (Nuc)]. The estimation results show that the CKC exists, and emissions are positively elastic to FF and negatively inelastic to Ren/Hydro/Nuc, although Ren's average per capita compound annual growth rate reached 14%. The results of panel vector error correction models reveal that 1) the use of nuclear energy is a key means for dealing with carbon emissions; 2) the substitutability/symbiosis exists between Ren/Hydro and FF; 3) the feedback hypothesis between EG and FF/Ren and the Hydro/Nuc-led growth hypothesis are confirmed. Therefore, energy-saving policies may hurt EG. A broad strategy for emissions, energy consumption, and economy decoupling are to support diversified, sustainable energy consumption mix (including SHP, Ren, and Nuc) and maintain stable economic growth, thereby improving energy efficiency and safety, reducing carbon dioxide intensity, and thus leading the world to absolute decoupling. Absolute decoupling is the only way to achieve a truly sustainable future. Highlights • The absolute decoupling effect of the G20 panel seems likely to occur. • The CKC/EKC hypothesis and the feedback hypothesis for FF/Ren–income are confirmed. • Substitutability exists for Ren–FF, and symbiosis exists for Hydro–FF. • Nuclear power is a key means for dealing with carbon emissions. • Complementary strategies of Ren and Nuc can lead the world to absolute decoupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To consider the idea that a dietary botanical supplement could act as an adaptogen in a teleost fish, the effect of a liquorice root derivative (18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, 18βGA) on rainbow trout following an acute ionoregulatory stressor was examined. Freshwater (FW) trout were fed a control or 18βGA supplemented diet (0, 5, or 50 μg 18βGA/g diet) for 2 weeks, then abruptly exposed to ion-poor water (IPW) for 24 h. Following IPW exposure, muscle moisture content and serum cortisol levels elevated and serum [Na + ] and/or [Cl − ] reduced in control and 50 μg/g 18βGA-fed fish. However, these endpoints were unaltered in 5 μg/g 18βGA-fed fish. Gill tissue was investigated for potential mechanisms of 18βGA action by examining mRNA abundance of genes encoding corticosteroid receptors (CRs), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 ( 11β-hsd2 ), and tight junction (TJ) proteins, as well as Na + -K + -ATPase and H + -ATPase activity, and mitochondrion-rich cell (MRC) morphometrics. Following IPW exposure, CR and 11β-hsd2 mRNA, MRC fractional surface, Na + -K + -ATPase and H + -ATPase activity were unaltered or decreased in 50 μg 18βGA fish, as was mRNA encoding select TJ proteins. In contrast, 5 μg 18βGA-fed fish exhibited elevated 11β-hsd2 and CR mRNA abundance versus 50 μg 18βGA-fed, and reduced MRC apical area as well as some differences in TJ protein mRNA abundance versus control fish. Data suggest that 18βGA, at low levels, may be adaptogenic in trout and might help to ameliorate ionoregulatory perturbation following IPW exposure. This seems to occur, in part, through 18βGA-induced alterations in the biochemistry and physiology of the gill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of liquorice root derivatives (LRDs) glycyrrhizic acid (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA) on salt and water balance and end points of gill ion transport in a freshwater teleost, (rainbow trout) was examined after feeding fish diets containing GL or 18βGA (0, 5, 50 or 500 µg/g diet) for a two week period. Serum cortisol levels and gill 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA abundance decreased in fish fed GL but increased (at select doses) in fish fed 18βGA. At higher doses of GL, gill Na + -K + -ATPase and H + -ATPase activity increased, while cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator type II mRNA abundance significantly decreased at the lowest dose of GL. End points of gill transcellular ion transport were not significantly altered in fish fed 18βGA, except for a reduction in Na + -K + -ATPase activity at a 50 µg/g dose. In contrast, high doses of GL and 18βGA increased gill transcript abundance of the tight junction protein claudin-31 ( cldn-31 ). Other end points of gill paracellular transport differed in fishes fed LRDs. Tricellulin mRNA abundance was increased by high dose GL and decreased by high dose 18βGA, and cldn-23a and cldn-27b mRNA abundance significantly decreased in response to GL irrespective of dose. Despite the above observations, systemic end points of salt and water balance (i.e. serum [Na + ] and [Cl − ] as well as muscle moisture) were unaffected by LRDs. Therefore data suggest that LRDs can alter end points of ion transport in fishes but that overall salt and water balance need not be perturbed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of stock market movement on incidences of stroke utilizing population-based aggregate data in Taiwan. Using the daily data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index and from the National Health Insurance Research Database during 2001/1/1–2007/12/31, which consist of 2556 observations, we examine the effects of stock market on stroke incidence – the level effect and the daily change effects. In general, we find that both a low stock index level and a daily fall in the stock index are associated with greater incidences of stroke. We further partition the data on sex and age. The level effect is found to be significant for either gender, in the 45–64 and 65≥ age groups. In addition, two daily change effects are found to be significant for males and the elderly. Although stockholdings can increase wealth, they can also increase stroke incidence, thereby representing a cost to health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The daily oral activities may severely influence oral health of children with disabilities. In this survey, we analyzed the impact of dietary and tooth-brushing habits to dental caries in special school children with disabilities. This cross-sectional survey investigated 535 special school children with disabilities aged 6–12 years, 60.93% males, 39.07% females from 10 special schools in Taiwan. Oral examinations were carried out by dentists with a Kappa score of their inter-examiner agreement exceeding 0.8. Data on demographics, diet, and tooth-brushing habits of children with disabilities were collected using a standardized questionnaire completed by parents/caregivers. More than three quarters of the participants were combined with severe or profound disability. Children with profound severity in disability had a higher percentage (67.37%) in teeth-brushing by parents/caregivers compared to those children with mild/moderate severity in disability which had a higher percentage (81.60%) in teeth-brushing by themselves. Children whose teeth were brushed by parents/caregivers had a better dental health, and lower caries prevalence. The main risk factors related to decayed teeth of children with disabilities are frequency of sweets intake, ability to brush teeth and with plaque or not. The dental health education, prevention program and periodical oral check-up to children with disabilities and their parents/caregivers should be reinforced. Brushing skill should be taught to children according to their type, severity and individual characteristics of disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Optimization of quality of life is an important goal in the management of patients with unresectable peri-ampullary cancer. Herein, we share our two cases to demonstrate the feasibility of scarless transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy using conventional instruments in the management of unresectable peri-ampullary cancer.Cases and Methods: Two 58-year-old patients (one male) underwent transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomies: The male and female patients were diagnosed with duodenal papillary carcinoma and pancreatic cancer, respectively. The hepatocystic junction was confirmed patent preoperatively in both patients. A 2-cm periumbilical incision was made for the placement of three trocars. Conventional rigid laparoscopic instruments were solely used throughout the procedure, and operative techniques were carried out in the same fashion as for conventional laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy.Results: The procedures were completed uneventfully in 190 and 155 min, respectively, with no complications, and the blood loss was estimated at 80 and 20 ml, respectively. Postoperative pain scores on postoperative day 1 were 4/10 and 3/10. The patients were discharged from the hospital on postoperative days 3 and 5 with resolving jaundice.Conclusions: Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy appears to be a technically feasible alternative to standard laparoscopic procedure and can be performed using conventional laparoscopic instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The barrier properties and intracellular responses of a primary cultured trout gill epithelium (containing both mitochondria-rich and pavement cells) were examined over 24 h of copper (Cu) exposure (0, 200 and 1000 μg/L) in apical fresh water. Transepithelial resistance (TER) and mRNA abundance of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, occludin, cingulin, claudin-8d and -28b were examined as endpoints of barrier function and the paracellular pathway. Intracellular endpoints analyzed were Cu accumulation, Na+ content, carbonic anhydrase activity and mRNA abundance of carbonic anhydrase (ca-II) and Na+/K+ ATPase (nka α1a and nka α1b isoforms). After a brief initial drop in TER in the 1000 μg Cu/L treatment, Cu at both levels increased TER over the first 6 h of exposure but there were no differences among groups from 12 h onwards. After 24 h of Cu exposure, there were no differences in mRNA abundance of any of the tight junction proteins examined. Cu accumulation occurred at 1000 μg Cu/L (5.5-fold increase), but no depletion of Na+ content. Carbonic anhydrase activity decreased significantly (by 76%), however Cu exposure did not alter the transcript abundance of ca-II, nka α1a, or nka α1b. This study provides a first report of carbonic anhydrase sensitivity to Cu exposure in a cultured model gill epithelium. We conclude that Cu impacts the permeability of this model during the early stages of exposure and that the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibition as an endpoint of metal toxicity in this model preparation may be useful for future mechanistic investigations and environmental monitoring. Unlabelled Image • Cu exposure did not change gene expression of paracellular proteins in reconstituted gill epithelia of rainbow trout. • After Cu exposure, DSI gill epithelia accumulated copper (5.5 fold) and decreased carbonic anhydrase activity significantly. • The sensitivity of CA activity to Cu has been demonstrated in vitro in the fish branchial epithelium using the DSI system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Establishing an oral prevention program for children with disabilities is critical. [•] We evaluated the effectiveness of caries reduction by long term fluoride ingestion. [•] Fluoride tablet ingestion with 1.0mg fluoride daily and persisted for 24 months. [•] Fluoride tablets were found to be effective in arresting dental caries by 36.84% in permanent dentition. [•] Fluoride tablets should be considered as one of the preventive measures in caries prevention programs in fluoride deficient areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large array devices are often used for big current driving capabilities in power electronic integrated circuit (IC) applications. Since these structures have big sizes, typical electrostatic discharge protection methodologies cannot be applied in such kind of IC. Otherwise, IC will become too huge to marketing. In this paper, a novel signal control switching architecture for adding large array devices' ESD performances is proposed. Only a little layout area is increased, but a huge electrostatic discharge robustness improvement can be obtained. Moreover, electrical safe operation area characteristics of large array devices are also improved very much with this new scheme. This study is processed in 0.15 μm Bipolar CMOS DMOS (BCD) with silicide technologies. • This is a very big study which can provide a good solution for pure 5 V power IC applications. • The research is based on our previous paper, published in 2018 MR. • Finally, it can be applied very well in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]