Search Results (97)

According to the United Nations Environment Programme reports, buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of energy-related emissions; therefore, energy-optimized building design is crucial to reduce the reliance on non-renewable energy sources as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The OECD reports indicate the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as one of the effective strategies for decarbonization of buildings, since a 3D digital representation of both physical and functional characteristics of a building can help to design a more efficient infrastructure. An efficient integration of solar energy in building design can be vital for the enhancement of energy performance in terms of heating, cooling, and lighting demand. This paper presents results of an analysis of how factors related to the use of daylight, such as automatic control of artificial lighting, external shading, or the visual absorptance of internal surfaces, influence the energy efficiency within an example room in two different climatic zones. The simulation was conducted using Design Builder software, with predefined occupancy schedules and internal heat gains, and standard EPW weather files for Warsaw and Genua climate zones. The study indicates that for the examined room, when no automatic sunshades or a lighting control system is utilized, most of the final energy demand is for cooling purposes (45–54%), followed by lighting (42–43%), with only 3–12% for heating purposes. The introduction of sunshades and/or the use of daylight allowed for a reduction of the total demand by up to half. Moreover, it was pointed out that often neglected factors, like the colour of the internal surfaces, can have a significant effect on the final energy consumption. In variants with light interior, the total energy consumption was lower by about 3–4% of the baseline demand, compared to their corresponding ones with dark surfaces. These results are consistent with previous studies on daylighting strategies and highlight the importance of considering both visual and thermal impacts when evaluating energy performance. Similarly, possible side effects of certain actions were highlighted, such as an increase in heat demand resulting from a reduced need for artificial lighting. The results of the analysis highlight the potential of a simulation-based design approach in optimizing daylight use, contributing to the broader goals of building decarbonization. Full article

Nanofertilizers (NFs) and engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in agriculture, yet their environmental safety remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the comparative phytotoxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and clinoptilolite nanoparticles, three commercial nanofertilizers, and potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) using Lactuca sativa seeds under adapted OECD-208 protocol conditions. Seeds were exposed to varying concentrations of each xenobiotic material (0.5–3% for NFs; 10–50% for NPs), with systematic assessment of seedling survival, root and hypocotyl length, dry biomass, germination index (GI), and median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values. Nanofertilizers demonstrated significantly greater phytotoxicity than engineered nanoparticles despite lower application concentrations. The toxicity ranking was established as NF1 > NF3 > NF2 > NM2 > NM1 > NM3, with NF1 being most toxic (EC₅₀ = 1.2%). Nanofertilizers caused 45–78% reductions in root length and 30–65% decreases in dry biomass compared with controls. GI values dropped to ≤70% in NF1 and NF3 treatments, indicating concentration-dependent growth inhibition. While nanofertilizers offer agricultural benefits, their elevated phytotoxicity compared with conventional nanoparticles necessitates rigorous pre-application safety assessment. These findings emphasize the critical need for standardized evaluation protocols incorporating both physiological and ecotoxicological endpoints to ensure safe xenobiotic nanomaterial deployment in agricultural systems. Full article

Background: China’s rapidly aging population has increased the need for effective community-based eldercare services. However, the lack of standardized, culturally relevant evaluation frameworks hinders consistent service quality assessment and improvement. Objective: This systematic review aims to identify, synthesize, and critically evaluate the existing quality indicators (QIs) currently utilized for home-based community elderly care HCEC in China. It also aims to highlight gaps to inform the development of a more comprehensive and context-appropriate quality framework. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted across Web of Science, PubMed, Wiley, and CNKI databases for studies published in English and Chinese from 2008 onward. Extracted QIs from eligible studies were categorized using Donabedian’s structure–process–outcome (SPO) model. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with QI sets ranging from 5 to 64 indicators. Most studies emphasized structural and procedural aspects, while outcome measures were limited. Key gaps include inconsistent terminology, insufficient medical care integration, narrow stakeholder engagement, and limited cultural adaptation of Western theoretical frameworks. Furthermore, subjective weighting methods predominated, impacting indicator reliability. Conclusions: Currently, there is no formal quality framework to guide service providers in HCEC, and therefore, quality indicators can be described as fragmented and lack cultural specificity, medical integration, and methodological robustness. Future research should prioritize developing culturally anchored and medically comprehensive QI frameworks, standardize indicator terminology, actively involve diverse stakeholders through participatory methods, and adopt hybrid methodological approaches combining subjective expert insights and objective, data-driven techniques. Alignment with established international standards, such as the OECD long-term care quality indicators, is essential to enhance eldercare quality and support evidence-based policymaking. Full article

Cichorium intybus L. (common chicory) is a medicinal plant valued for health-promoting effects. Although analgesic properties are known for chicory sesquiterpenes, the effects of extracts need yet to be explored. This study aimed to evaluate for the first time the analgesic effect (against nociceptive pain) of the root extract from C. intybus var. foliosum. The target evaluation was preceded by toxicity tests in vivo and phytochemical standardization of root extracts prepared with different extraction methods—pectinase-assisted, pressure-assisted, and a combination of both—to choose the most effective one. The phytochemical profiling involved UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and UHPLC-PDA analyses. The toxicity and the analgesic effects were tested in mice following the OECD 423 guideline and the hot-plate test, respectively. The highest recovery of bioactive compounds was achieved for the pressure-assisted extract: 642.5 mg sesquiterpene lactones, 187.1 mg phenolic acids, and 47.3 g inulin/100 g of dry matter. The extract showed no toxic effects at the oral dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, including no histopathologic changes, in mice within two weeks (GHS Category 5/Uncategorized). The maximum analgesic effect (MAE) of the extract at 600 mg/kg was 6.75% for rearing and 13.7% for jumping, with the impact on the nocifensive reactions not differing significantly from those of paracetamol at 60 mg/kg. Despite the relatively low effects at 600 mg/kg, the verified safety and abundance of active compounds encourage further studies on the extract and its active fractions as potential approaches to complementary pain therapy, with special concern for their mechanisms of action. Full article

Following the 2008–2009 economic crisis, the issue of self-employed individuals’ access to social protection has gained increasing prominence at both supranational and national levels, often in relation to the rise of ‘bogus’ or economically dependent self-employment and its broader implications. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed persistent gaps in the social protection of the self-employed, contributing to their comparatively more precarious position vis-à-vis wage earners. Against this backdrop, and drawing on a literature review alongside findings from a series of semi-structured interviews, this article uses Greece—a country where self-employment constitutes a structural feature of a highly fragmented labour market, and which records the highest self-employment rate in the EU-27 (and among the highest in the OECD)—as a case study to examine self-employment and access to social protection. This article contributes to the growing literature on the social protection of non-standard workers in a context marked by ongoing transformations in employment relations and the world of work. It illustrates, inter alia, the relative weakness of trade union representation for the self-employed, and how limited trust in state institutions among this group shapes their perceptions of social protection, thereby undermining the system’s sustainability. Full article

The effects of initial institutions and change in institutions on the growth of ex-socialist countries is unsettled in the literature. This is due to difficulties in modeling the effects of institutions and their change. The objective of this paper is to contribute to this area. Ex-socialist countries faced heterogenous initial conditions at transition. Those that joined the EU experienced institutional integration as well as institutional improvement. Using publicly available data from about ten years before and after EU accession and two-way fixed effects differences-in-differences estimation, this paper finds that these countries experienced growth boosts post-EU accession. Achieving institutional integration cum improvement by accepting and implementing EU’s regulations and norms in all details permitted this boost. The initial conditions mattered—the effect was greater in “new” ex-socialist countries (which had the additional burden of creating new administrative structures and economic relationships) than in the “old.” Using the neo-classical growth model, the paper then examines whether this boost in growth was due to a higher contribution of inputs or due to an increase in the efficiency with which inputs were used. It indicates that it was due to increased contribution of human capital rather than an increase in the amount of human capital or other economic or political confounders. These countries’ skilled labor, already high in skills at transition by OECD standards, needed the right institutions to unlock its potential. Full article

Indoor environmental quality profoundly impacts student learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness, particularly in primary education, where children spend most of their developmental years. The study compares the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) version 2.0 for primary school classrooms with international standards set by OECD countries to develop IAQ and thermal comfort best practices in New Zealand across six climate zones. The research evaluates indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort factors affecting students’ and teachers’ health and performance. Using Ladybug and Honeybee plugin tools in Grasshopper with Energy Plus, integrated into Rhino 7 software, the study employed advanced building optimisation methods, using multi-criteria optimisation and parametric modelling. This approach enabled a comprehensive analysis of building envelope parameters for historical classroom designs, the Avalon block (constructed between 1955 and 2000). Optimise window-to-wall ratios, ceiling heights, window placement, insulation values (R-values), clothing insulation (Clo), and window opening schedules. Our findings demonstrate that strategic modifications to the building envelope can significantly improve occupant comfort and energy performance. Specifically, increasing ceiling height by 0.8 m, raising windows by 0.3 m vertically, and reducing the window-to-wall ratio to 25% created optimal conditions across multiple performance criteria. These targeted adjustments improved adaptive thermal comfort, ventilation, carbon dioxide, and energy efficiency while maintaining local and international standards. The implications of the findings extend beyond the studied classrooms, offering evidence-based strategies for overall design and building performance guidelines in educational facilities. This research demonstrates the efficacy of applying computational design optimisation during early design phases, providing policymakers and architects with practical solutions that could inform future revisions of New Zealand’s school design standards and align them more closely with international best practices for educational environments. Full article

This study demonstrates an eco-friendly synthesis of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride (TFSF) as a sustainable SF₆ alternative. Optimized halogen exchange reactions using CF₃SO₂Cl/KF (3:1 ratio) with crown ether catalysis at low temperatures achieved 65% TFSF yield (97.9% purity). Scale-up trials in pressurized reactors showed >50% conversion and >90% selectivity. Acute inhalation tests (OECD standards) on Sprague-Dawley rats revealed transient toxicity at 20,000 ppm (4 h exposure), with survival rates >66% and LC₅₀ exceeding 22,600 ppm—significantly safer than SF₆. These findings confirm TFSF’s technical viability and low toxicity, positioning it as a practical insulating medium to curb SF₆ emissions. The methodology highlights precision halogen exchange control and systematic safety validation, offering actionable solutions for industrial adoption. Full article

Objective: This study aims to evaluate cell proliferation capacity and micronuclei incidence in the presence of nickel–chromium (Ni-Cr)-based dental alloys, with and without the addition of beryllium (Be). The use of these alloys in dental prosthetics is widespread; however, the potential risks associated with their genotoxicity and cytotoxicity require further investigation. The study seeks to provide insight into the safety of these materials and their long-term impact on the health of both patients and dental professionals. Methods: The study was conducted through a comparative analysis of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity using human lymphocyte cultures exposed to two types of Ni-Cr-based dental alloys, one containing beryllium and the other without beryllium. The evaluations were performed according to the OECD Test No. 487 guideline, employing the micronucleus assay and cell proliferation assay. Lymphocytes were exposed to three different alloy concentrations (5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, and 20 mg/mL), and the effects on genetic material were analyzed microscopically. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and variance) were calculated, and one-way ANOVA was used to assess statistical significance between groups, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: A significant increase in cytotoxicity and micronuclei incidence was observed in the samples containing beryllium compared to those without beryllium. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.001) between the test and control groups and between different concentrations. Additionally, a direct proportional relationship was noted between alloy concentration and the intensity of genotoxic effects. Microscopic analysis confirmed genetic material damage, indicating a potentially increased risk associated with the use of this type of dental material. Conclusions: The data obtained suggest that Ni-Cr-based dental alloys containing beryllium may present a significant risk of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. Therefore, the selection of materials used in dental prosthetics should be based on solid scientific evidence, and the use of these alloys should be approached with caution. The study highlights the need for further research to better understand the long-term impact of these materials on human health. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review evaluates unconventional mammalian models from wild, agricultural, and urban/domestic ecosystems for genotoxicity assessment under the One Health framework. Non-human primates (NHPs), cattle, and domestic dogs are analyzed as sentinel species due to their distinct environmental niches, unique human interactions, and species-specific traits. In conjunction with this, evidence is presented about the in vitro use of cells of these mammals for the genotoxicological evaluation of different chemical substances, such as veterinary drugs, environmental pollutants, and pesticides. The synthesis focuses on standardized genetic toxicology assays (e.g., chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus, comet assay) aligned with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Methods: A structured search of international literature identified studies employing OECD-compliant genotoxicity assays in NHPs, cattle, dogs, and others not listed in OECD. Data was categorized by species, assay type, chemical class evaluated, environmental context (wild, agricultural, urban), and merits of the papers. Results: NHPs, despite their phylogenetic proximity to humans, show limited genotoxicity data in contrast to biomedical research, which has been constrained by ethical concerns and fieldwork logistics. Cattle emerge as robust models in agricultural settings due to the abundance of studies on the genotoxic capacity of pesticides, veterinary drug, and environmental biomonitoring, with direct implications for food safety. Domestic dogs are recognized as powerful sentinels for human health due to shared exposomes, physiological similarities (e.g., shorter cancer latency), and reduced lifestyle confounders; however, genotoxicity studies in dogs remain sparse compared to chemical exposure monitoring or cancer research. Conclusions: This review advocates for expanded, integrated use of these models to address genotoxic threats across ecosystems, which would benefit both animal and human health. In the application of biomonitoring studies with sentinel animals, a critical gap persists: the frequent lack of integration between xenobiotic quantification in environmental and biological samples, along with genotoxicity biomarkers evaluation in sentinel populations, which hinders comprehensive environmental risk assessment. Full article

In the frame of a “greener agriculture”, the development of new natural pesticides that are safer than their synthetic counterparts is gaining ground. Nonetheless, the origin of their nature does not necessarily imply their eco-friendliness. Hence, specific ecotoxicological studies are needed, with products being subjected to hazard and consequent risk assessment, for registration purposes. We have previously described on the strong nematicidal activity of Melia azedarach (chinaberry), Petroselinum crispum (parsley) and Eruca sativa (rocket) against the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. With this study the effect of the above-mentioned nematicidal botanicals on Eisenia fetida, Enchytraeus albidus, Daphnia magna and Danio rerio (Zebrafish) is reported, being all model organisms for the study of ecotoxicology of pesticides under registration. The implemented protocols are according to the OECD standards used for the evaluation of formulates under authorization. NOEC values were estimated to be higher than the highest concentrations assessed as recommended by OECD guidelines (≥1000 mg test item/kg dry soil). According to the presented results, all tested botanical nematicidals proved ecofriendly, not hindering the reproduction of juvenile worms of Eisenia fetida, and Enchytraeus albidus. Notably, Petroselinum crispum exhibited beneficial effects on reproduction of Eisenia fetida, as the number of juveniles increased. M. azedarach extract demonstrated moderate toxicity to zebrafish embryos (LC₅₀ was 51.41 ± 1.67 mg/L), yet it did not elicit adverse effects on the zebrafish liver. Thus, chinaberry, parsley and rocket are promising to be developed into new “green” nematicides. Full article

Background/Objectives: Timely and appropriate outpatient care can prevent potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAHs) for heart failure (HF). We analyzed the trends, determinants, and consequences of PAHs for HF in Switzerland over two decades.; Methods: Hospital discharge data of Switzerland from 1998 to 2018 were utilized. PAH was defined according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) criteria.; Results: Data from 206,000 PAHs for HF were included (49.1% women, 55.8% aged over 80). Admission rates for PAHs represented 54.5 per 10,000 admissions in 1999, and they increased to 117.6 per 10,000 admissions in 2018. Similarly, age-standardized admission rates were 107.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1999, and they increased to 220.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018. Between 1999 and 2018, patients admitted with PAHs for HF became older (% of patients aged over 80: 60.4% in 2018 vs. 49.2% in 1999), presented more frequently with a Charlson index < 4 (65% vs. 35%), were admitted more frequently as an emergency (89.0% vs. 60.7%), by the patient’s own initiative (31.5% vs. 13.9%), while ICU admission increased only slightly (8.6% vs. 7.6%) and length of stay decreased—median and (interquartile range) 8 (6–13) vs. 12 (8–18) days. In 2018, the costs related to PAHs for HF were estimated at over CHF 170 million, and the corresponding number of occupied beds at 407 per year; Conclusions: In Switzerland, the number of PAHs for HF has increased steadily. The medical and financial burden due to PAH for HF could still be reduced with timely and appropriate outpatient care. Full article

Following the economic shocks of recent decades, characterized by the destabilization of markets and pressure on national economies, protectionist policies have seen a significant increase. Thus, anti-dumping has become a convenient and frequently used tool in the political game of trade. In the context of the transition toward a climate-neutral economy, anti-dumping measures have become a topic of great interest due to their indirect effects on CO₂ emissions. Often used to protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices, these measures influence trade and the geographical redistribution of production, contributing to the phenomenon of “carbon leakage”. By transferring emissions from countries with strict climate regulations to economies with more permissive standards, anti-dumping measures can undermine global efforts to reduce emissions. Trade policies are becoming, in this context, an important tool in regulating international trade. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to analyze the impacts of anti-dumping measures, primary energy consumption, and urbanization on CO₂ emissions in OECD countries for the period 2000–2021. The methodology used is based on dynamic A.R.D.L. models using panel data. Our results suggest that anti-dumping measures and primary energy consumption influence CO₂ emissions and are statistically significant, at least at the 10% level. The results of this study are useful to both policymakers and environmental authorities in developing trade policies that support both economic development and emission-reduction targets. Full article

The presence of sub-micron-sized plastics in the environment has been increasing, with the possible risks of these particles remaining relatively unknown. In order to assess the toxicity of these particles, 100 nm diameter green fluorescent nano-polystyrene spheres (NPS) (20–60 mg/L) were exposed to zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to investigate the mortality, clearance rate and stress-related biomarker responses. D. polymorpha were collected and analysed with standard OECD toxicological tests and biomarker analysis to detect both physical and biochemical responses after exposure to NPS. The toxicity of the NPS to D. polymorpha was low, with 60 mg/L NPS causing a mortality rate of 11.1% at 96 h which was statistically significant compared to the 4.2% control. No statistical change could be found for the condition factor (k_c) of D. polymorpha after NPS exposure. Clearance rates in D. polymorpha using R. subcapitata algae showed NPS-exposed mussels had a reduction of filtering efficiency of up to 30.5%. Bioassay testing shows a mixed but undeniably negative response from the D. polymorpha to the NPS, notably a significant rise in DNA Strand Breaks (DSB) and Metallothionein (MT) responses for high NPS concentrations. Additionally, Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay tests showed a significant increase in response from the higher (>40 mg/L) concentrations of NPS exposure. Although Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) assay showed no statistical change from the control for all NPS-exposed samples, an increase of 20% had occurred for 60 mg/L NPS. Overall, a minimal toxic response from D. polymorpha to the NPS exposure below 40 mg/L was seen. After 40 mg/L NPS, mussels presented more acute toxicity in terms of mortality, along with reduced algal clearance rates and anincrease in biomarker response. This study revealed a clear induction of oxidative stress and DSB in the digestive gland of zebra mussels following exposure to nano-polystyrene. While these findings provide valuable insights into the potential harmful effects of nanoplastics in freshwater bivalves, further studies are necessary to help understand the level of threat plastic pollution may pose to the health of freshwater ecosystems. Full article

In the present study, the toxicity of nicosulfuron to Danio rerio embryos was evaluated in three experiments through standardized toxicity tests according to OECD TG236 guidelines. In the first experiment, six concentrations of nicosulfuron (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000 mg/L) were tested under optimal conditions (26 °C, pH 7.0) to assess the general sensitivity of zebrafish embryos to nicosulfuron. The second and third experiment examined the effects of different pH levels (5.0 and 9.0) and temperatures (21 °C and 31 °C) on the toxicity at four nicosulfuron concentrations (0, 10, 100, 1000 mg/L). Additionally, the sub-organismic effects of nicosulfuron on stress protein levels (Hsp70) of fish embryos were analyzed. Throughout the embryo experiments, no malformations were observed in all experiments. The survival rate exceeded 80% in all groups except for the 21 °C (pH 7.0) treatment groups. No significant effect of nicosulfuron on the survival rate was found at the same temperature or pH (p > 0.05). No significant difference in the heart rate was found among all nicosulfuron groups (p > 0.05) at 21 °C. The heart rate of fish embryos at 31 °C, pH 5.0 and pH 9.0 increased with nicosulfuron concentrations. Except for the pH 5.0 (26 °C) and 21 °C (pH 7.0) treatment groups, nicosulfuron was found to increase the hatching rate of embryos in other treatments; however, the corresponding times of action were different. At 21 °C (pH 7.0), the embryos did not hatch until 144 h post-fertilization. In terms of proteotoxicity, nicosulfuron was found to be more toxic to zebrafish embryos in the 21 °C, pH 5.0 and pH 9.0 treatment groups. However, at 31 °C, no significant difference in Hsp70 levels was found among all the different nicosulfuron concentrations (p > 0.05). Our results show that nicosulfuron exerts a weak toxicity to zebrafish embryos; however, this toxicity is amplified by inappropriate pH or temperature conditions. Full article