Hospital Stakeholders’ Perception on Environmental Effects Related to Biomedical Waste in Togo’s University Hospitals (UHC) in 2021

Introduction: Given its effects, hospital waste is an environmental concern and a threat to health personnel, users of health services and neighboring populations. Our objective was to assess the perception of health care stakeholders on the environmental effects related to biomedical waste produced in Teaching Hospitals (CHU) in Togo in 2021. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study held from June 24 to August 28, 2021. It targeted three university hospitals, 340 health care providers and services selected by a probabilistic method with a simple random technique in 25 services, 72 directors, deputy directors, supervisors and heads of services, 27 collection and incineration agents selected by a non-probabilistic method with a reasoned choice technique, 44 patients and attendants and 36 householders of neighboring residents selected by a non-probabilistic method with an accidental choice technique. Variables such as the spreading of disease vectors, soil, air and water contamination, the presence of unpleasant odors and unsightly living conditions were assessed. Results: According to the respondents, biomedical waste causes the proliferation of vectors (55.3%), an unsightly environment inside the hospital (47.1%), and unpleasant odors (61.2%). Incineration operations disturb hospital residents (52.8%), according to the householders of the residents. During observation, we note deposits of waste that have not been destroyed and wastewater flowing in some places. Conclusion: Biomedical waste in Togo’s university hospitals generates environmental effects and therefore potentially high risks for human health. Improving their management should be a concern for all hospital actors.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Environmental Effects from Land Change in Hotan Oasis,Xinjiang

[Objective] This study aimed to evaluate the environmental effects coming from land changes in Hotan oasis during 1980-2010. [Method] Based on the Driving Force-State-Response model, expert weight method and entropy method were used to determine weight, and then the composite indexes of environmental effects （CIE for short） were calculated. [Result] During the period from 1980 to 2010, CIE had presented a rising trend whether expert weight method or entropy method in the study area, while the CIE presents downtrend basically in lower reaches. [Conclu- sion] It was the arable land expansion in middle reaches that led to serious land degradation in lower reaches, and may endanger ecosystem safety in Hotan River green corridor. Therefore, it is suggested that the agricultural land use should be restructured, such as reducing the sown areas of some crops with large amount of water consumption. Meanwhile, the effective measures should be taken to distribute water resources and utilize them reasonably. In addition, the oasis-desert ecotone, as well as the groundwater resources, should be also protected.

Environmental Effects of Returning Rice and Wheat Straw to Fields

Based on advances in returning rice and wheat straw to fields at home and abroad, environmental physical, chemical and ecological effects of returning rice and wheat straw to fields were analyzed. The results show that returning straw to fields can enhance soil porosity, reduce soil bulk density, and increase the ca- pacity of soil to preserve water, fertilizer and temperature. Besides, it can improve the content of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil, of which the increase of potassium content is the most obvious. Meanwhile, it can provide energy and nutrients for microorganisms in soil and change the activity of soil enzymes, of which it affects invertase most greatly and enhances the activity of ure- ase but has no effect on neutral phosphatase. In addition, it can enhance the total quantity of microorganisms in soil obviously, and the increase correlates positively with the quantity of straw returning to fields. Finally, returning straw to fields can promote the sustainable development of agriculture.

The causes and environmental effects of land use conversion during agricultural restructuring in Northeast China

During the last decade of the 20th century, extensive conversion inagricultural land use took place in Northeast China. The goal of this study is to ascertain itsspatial distribution and regional differentiation, determine its causes, and analyze itsenvironmental impact. Especially we attempt to elucidate how institutional constraints havefacilitated the change at a time of agrarian restructuring when newly emerging free market washybridized with the former planned economy. Information on six categories of land use was mappedfrom interpretation of Landsat TM images recorded in 1990, 1995 and 2000. Most of land use changestook place during the first half of the decade, coinciding with abrupt and chaotic changes ingovernment directives. Farmland was changed mainly to woodland, water body and built-up areas whilewoodland and grassland were converted chiefly to farmland. Spatially, the change from farmland towoodland was restricted to the west of the study area. The change from grassland to farmland tookplace in the grazing and farming interlocked west. These chaotic and occasionally conflictingchanges were largely caused by lack of stability and consistency in agricultural land use policiespromulgated. They have exerted adverse impacts on the local environment, including land degradation,increased flooding, and modified climate regime.

Weathering-pedogenesis of Carbonate Rocks and Its Environmental Effects in Subtropical Region

We investigated the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and its environmental effects in subtropical regions of China. The investigation demonstrated that the weathering- pedogenesis of carbonate rocks is the process of a joint action of corrosion and illuviation and metasomatism in subtropical region. It is characterized by multi-stage, multi-path and multi-style. With the persisting development of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks, metasomatic pedogenesis progressively became the main process of the weathering-pedogenesis and the dominant style of formation of minerals. And it proceeds through the whole process of evolution of the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks. The stage evolution of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and the fractionation evolution of newly produced minerals are characterized by obvious vertically zoning structures and the rules of gradation of elements geochemical characteristics in the carbonate rocks weathering profiles. The geochemical process of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks can be divided into three geochemical evolution stages, i.e., the Ca, Mg-depletion and Si, Al-enrichment stage; the Fe, Mn enrichment stage and the Si-depletion and Al-enrichment stage in the subtropical regions. Consistent with the three geochemical evolution stages, the sequence of formation and evolution of minerals can be divided into the clay mineral stage; the Fe, Mn oxide and the gibbsite stage. The influence of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks on the chemical forms of heavy elements is mainly affected via newly produced components and minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis, e.g., iron oxide minerals and organic matters. The important mechanism for the mobilization, transport and pollution of F and As is affected the selective adsorption and desorption of F and As on the surface of iron oxide minerals in the subtropical karst zones, i.e., the selective adsorption and desorption on mineral surfaces of newly produced minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis control the geochemical behavior of elements on the Earth＇s surface and environmental quality in subtropical regions.

The impact of cropland conversion on environmental effect in the Loess Plateau: a pilot study based on the national experimental bases

Conversion of cropland to forestry and grassland is an important method to reduce soil erosion and improve the biophysical environment in the Loess Plateau. The feasibility, methods, and environmental effects of cropland conversion were studied based on 11 typical watersheds of national experimental bases instead of different geographic areas of the Loess Plateau. Between 1986 and 2000, cropland, sloping cropland and non-agricultural land decreased by 8%, 92.5% and 8% respectively, while forestry increased by 15.7%. The land use change not only decreased annual soil erosion by 74%, but also increased vegetation coverage by 100% and improved the soil condition and biodiversity. This can be achieved by building basic farmland, increasing capital and scientific input, and planting trees and grasses according to the natural biophysical restrictions.

Research progress on behaviors and environmental effects of mercury in the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau:a critical review

The behavior and fates of environmental pollutants within the cryosphere and the associated environmental impacts are of increasing concerns in the context of global warming.The Tibetan Plateau(TP),also known as the"Third Pole",represents one of the most important cryospheric regions in the world.Mercury(Hg)is recognized as a global pollutant.Here,we summarize the current knowledge of Hg concentration levels,pools and spatio-temporal distribution in cryospheric environments(e.g.,glacier,permafrost),and its transfer and potential cycle in the TP cryospheric region.Transboundary transport of anthropogenic Hg from the surrounding heavily-polluted regions,such as South and Southeast Asia,provides significant sources of atmospheric Hg depositions onto the TP cryosphere.We concluded that the melting of the cryosphere on the TP represents an increasing source of Hg and brings a risk to the TP environment.In addition,global warming acts as an important catalyst accelerating the release of legacy Hg from the melting cryosphere,adversely impacting ecosystems and biological health.Furthermore,we emphasize on the remaining gaps and proposed issues needed to be addressed in future work,including enhancing our knowledge on some key release pathways and the related environmental effects of Hg in the cryospheric region,integrated observation and consideration of Hg distribution,migration and cycle processes at a key region,and uses of Hg isotopic technical and Hg models to improve the understanding of Hg cycling in the TP cryospheric region.

Dynamic Variation Characteristics of Phosphorus in Paddy Field Runoff in Saline Land and Its Potential Environmental Effect

[Objective] The aim was to study the dynamic variation characteristics of phosphorus in paddy field runoff in saline land and its potential environmental effect. [Method] Taking Qianguo irrigation district in soda-saline land in Songnen Plain as study object, the dynamic variation law of phosphorus in paddy field runoff under different irrigation conditions and its potential environmental effect were discussed. [Result] Surface water in paddy field was alkaline, and scattered soil had poor fertilizer conservation capacity. Phosphorus accumulated in soil surface, which could increase the risk of phosphorus loss. Phosphorus loss in paddy field mainly occurred in irrigation period and runoff period caused by rainstorm. The concentration of total phosphorus (TP), particulate phosphorus (PP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in paddy field runoff decreased with time, especially PP. Phosphorus concentration exceeded critical value and resulted to eutrophication, which threatened the water quality security of Chagan Lake. Phosphorus concentration in water recession canal increased with time, and eutrophication with different degrees appeared under high temperature. TP concentration in surface water of paddy field was highly negatively correlated with that in water recession canal, and the correlation coefficients R2(α=0.05)in three paddy fields were 0.850 9, 0.896 4 and 0.915 3, respectively. The pollution load of phosphorus in paddy field with the best irrigation condition was higher, and its pollution risk was the highest. Thus, such fields should be monitored and controlled mainly as the critical source area of phosphorus loss. [Conclusion] The study could provide theoretical foundations for developing saline land rationally, establishing optimal management measure of phosphorus in saline land and controlling phosphorus loss from farmland to protect local water resources.

Environmental effects induced by excavation

Based on 3D Biot’s consolidation theory and nonlinear Duncan-Chang’s model, a 3D FEM (finite element method) program is developed considering the coupling of groundwater seepage and soil skeleton deformation during excavation. The comparison between the analysis result considering the variation of water head difference and that without considering it shows that the porewater pressure distribution of the former is distinctly different from that of the latter and that the foundation pit de- formations of the former are larger than those of the latter, so that the result without considering the variation of water head dif- ference is unreliable. The distribution rules of soil horizontal and vertical displacements around the pit and excess porewater pressure are analyzed in detail in time and space, which is very significant for guiding underground engineering construction and ensuring environment safety around the pit.

Episodes of volcanic activity and their environmental effects in the Okinawa Trough during the last 150 ka

A piston core Z14-6 was used in this study. The core, 896 cm long, was collected from eastern slope of the Okinawa Trough （27°07＇N, 127°27＇E, water depth 739m）. The δ^18O and δ^13C values of the sediment bearing planktonic foraminifera G. sacculifer and N. dutertrei were determined; and the abundance of volcanic glass was analyzed. The volcanic glass content high occurred in early stage of polar ice-sheet growth period, or the beginning of cold climate periods corresponding to Milankovitch cycles （Peak Ⅰ, Ⅱ and V are corresponding to the beginnings of oxygen isotopic stages 2, 4 and 6, and Peak Ⅲ and Ⅳ are matching oxygen isotopic stage 5b-5d.）. It might be possible that volcanic episodes and climate changes were responding to orbital forcing in the Okinawa Trough in late Quaternary. The δ^18O difference between N. dutertrei and G. sacculifer shows no clear correlation to the volcanic glass content high, which suggests that the volcanic eruptions did not influence the structure of upper water column. However, the low δ^13C difference between G. sacculifer and N. dutertrei is coeval with the volcanic glass high or sub-high content. This fact suggests that volcanic eruptions might influence the reduction in vertical nutritional gradient and carbon cycle process in upper water column. A possible mechanism is that huge quantity of ash and dust had weakened the light intensity, resulting in photosynthesis reduction, productivity decrease, and biological pumping.

Environmental Effects of Foreign Trade and Its Spatial Variations in Mid-eastern Provinces and Cities of China

The studies on environmental effects of foreign trade and its spatial variations are helpful to design and implement environmental protection countermeasures.In order to eliminate the adverse effects of insufficient observation values on the accuracy of regression results and dynamic information quantity of fitting equation during empirical study,panel data of the mid-eastern provinces and cities of China from 1985 to 2007 were selected based on the adjustment of classical regression model in this paper.Panel unit root test and panel cointegration analysis method were applied to investigating the environmental effects of foreign trade and its spatial variations in the mid-eastern provinces and cities of China and its three groups divided by foreign trade dependence.The results show that all scale effects are positive,while all technical effects are negative and unable to counteract positive scale effects.Foreign trade development is regarded as an important cause for outstanding eco-environmental problems in the mid-eastern provinces and cities of China.Total effects and structural effects are significantly different among different groups because of spatial variations in environmental policies,export destinations,source of FDI,etc.Following the principle of′coordinating generality and considering differences comprehensively′,it is essential to issue a series of policies and countermeasures corresponding to differences in regional environmental effect of foreign trade,in order to coordinate the relationship between foreign trade development and eco-environment in each region.

Reducing the Common Environmental Effect on Litopenaeus vannamei Body Weight by Rearing Communally at Early Developmental Stages and Using a Reconstructed Pedigree

Heritability estimates may be severely biased when a large common environmental effect on a family arises from a longlasting separate rearing at early stages(SRES)in traditional selective breeding programs,especially when bred populations have weak genetic ties.Communal rearing at early stages(CRES)may reduce common environmental effect since all families are reared in the same environment immediately after hatching.Here,we compared the effects of CRES and SRES strategies on genetic parameter estimation for harvest body weight in a selective breeding population of Litopenaeus vannamei with a small number of half-sib families.Genetic parameters of each strategy were estimated by using animal models excluding and including the common environmental effect(Model 1 and Model 2,respectively).Heritability estimates for body weight were 0.21±0.06(P<0.05)and 0.69±0.09(P<0.05)for CRES and SRES,respectively,in Model 1,and 0.21±0.06(P<0.05)and 0.52±0.27(P>0.05)in Model 2.The ratio of common environmental variance to phenotypic variance was 0.002±0.000 and 0.071±0.112 for CRES and SRES,respectively.Neither strategy precisely partitioned the common environmental variance according to likelihood ratio test.Lower heritability for body weight in CRES than in SRES implied that a large common environmental variance was confounded with additive genetic variance and was not effectively partitioned in SRES.Moreover,genetic correlation of body weight between the two strategies was 0.75±0.15,indicating that family rankings truly changed.The CRES should be followed in the selective breeding program of shrimp,especially in a population with a shallow pedigree and weak genetic ties between families.

Research Progress of Maternal Environmental Effects in Resource-based Regions

Heavy metal pollution is common in resource-based regions.However,the morphological,physiological and biochemical mechanisms of plants transmitting environmental information to their offspring in environments polluted by heavy metals have not been studied yet.Taking soybean,an annual self-pollinated plant in Huang-Huai-Hai region,as the research object,the morphological,physiological and biochemical indexes and heavy metal enrichment and distribution characteristics of plants under heavy metal stress were monitored continuously for about three generations,and the trans-generational differences of soybean reproduction,vegetative growth,stress resistance and life cycle in heavy metal stress environment were elucidated.The results will be helpful to better understand the long-term adaptive strategy of plants to heavy metal stress and provide the theory basis for ecological security of soybean and other crops under heavy metal stress.

Genetic and Environmental Effects on the Bone Development of the Hand and Wrist in Chinese Young Twins

We assessed genetic and environmental effectson bone development of the hand and wrist, andon key anthropometric measures in Chinese youngtwins. In total, 139 monozygotic and 95 dizygotictwin pairs aged from 5 to 18 years were recruited.The twin correlations of total hand and wrist scoresfor monozygotic （MZ） and dizygotic （DZ） twins were0.71 and 0.36, respectively. Bivariate modelanalysis showed moderate genetic correlations onlyfor total skeletal maturity vs. weight and totalskeletal maturity vs. waist circumference （r, 0.51and 0.46, respectively）. Our findings demonstratedthat genetic factors played important roles in bonedevelopment of the hand and wrist in Chineseyoung twins, and that these genetic effects mightbe distinct from those influencing anthropometricmeasures.

Environmental effects of export trade in the Yangtze River Delta, 2003-2006

Economic globalization has promoted the formation of global production network, and correspondingly the high-quality environmental factors are reconfigured behind the physical commodities exchange. Export trade not only drives China＇s economic growth, promotes industrial upgrading and technological progress, but also may have a negative impact on the environment. After reviewing and summarizing the existing relevant literatures, tire paper collects the required statistic data from 2003 to 2006 and uses the panel data model to measure the environmental effects of export trade in the Yangtze River Delta. The results show that the export trade of Yangtze River Delta has a negative impact on the environment. When the variables of economic scale, economic structure areftxed, with the export trade growth of 1%, the industrial sulfur dioxide emission and industrial waste water emtsston will increase by 0.12% and 0.23% respectively. So we must pay serious attention to the negative effects, and promote regional sustainable development rapidly through adjusting the export structure and strengthening environmental regulations.

Environmental effect and treatment of urban construction in geotechnical engineering

The interact of construction and circumstance becomes more and more obviously,and research on it is essentially urgent.The way to solve it,first it relies on quantifiable evaluation to the effects done by different construction techniques,then,choose related techniques which cause less damage according to the endurance of circumstance.

Assessment of energy consumption,environmental effects and fuel costs of the bus rapid transit system in Bogotá(Colombia)

Colombia aims to boost the utilization of mass transportation systems in its major cities while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%,in alignment with the commitments of the COP21 agreement.In 2020,the transport sector in Colombia accounted for 34.4%of the country’s energy demand and was responsible for~49%of its total CO_(2) emissions.This article presents an assessment of energy consumption,environmental effects and the fuel costs of Bogotá’s bus rapid transit system based on the Activity,Share,Intensity,Fuel methodology.A long-term analysis spanning from 2021 to 2040 was developed using the long-range energy alternatives planning platform.To conduct this assessment,the tool was calibrated using data from 2019 and 2020.Four distinct scenarios based on energy policies implemented in Bogotáwere examined:Business as Usual,Fast Transition,High Growth and Low Growth.Regarding energy consumption and environmental effects,the results underscore the pivotal role of diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels such as oil.Consequently,the analysis emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate the transition to alternative energy sources such as natural gas and electricity.

Technical challenges of space solar power stations:Ultra-large-scale space solar array systems and space environmental effects

Space solar power station(SSPS)are important space infrastructure for humans to efficiently utilize solar energy and can effectively reduce the pollution of fossil fuels to the earth’s natural environment.As the energy conversion system of SSPS,solar array is an important unit for the successful service of SSPS.Today,solar arrays represent the standard technology for providing energy for spacecraft,thanks to their high conversion efficiency and reliability/stability in orbit.With the development of solar arrays,many new materials,new photovoltaic devices and new control systems have emerged.Solar arrays are directly exposed to the space environment,and harsh environmental factors can degrade the performance.To ensure the long-term safe inorbit service of SSPS as well as its ultra-large solar array,these new materials,devices,and control systems must operate certification and evaluation that can be used in space applications.In this review,the development history and research progress of SSPS and the corresponding space solar arrays are summarized and discussed,and the space environmental effects of solar arrays are analyzed at multiple levels(materials,devices,and systems).Finally,in response to the current space environmental effects of the ultra-large solar array used in the SSPS,future development trends and challenges are proposed.