The relevance of EKC hypothesis in energy intensity real-output trade-off for sustainable environment in EU-27

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Considering the prevailing wave of global warming and other environmental challenges, which can be attributed to increasing environmental pollution as...     

The use of fetal MRI for renal and urogenital tract anomalies

Fetal anomalies are detected in approximately 2% of all fetuses and, among these, genitourinary tract abnormalities account for 30% to 50% of all structural anomalies present at birth. Although ultrasound remains the first line diagnostic modality, fetal MRI provides important additional structural and functional information, especially with the development of faster sequences and the use of functional sequences. The added value of MRI-based imaging is three-fold: (a) improvement of diagnostic accuracy by adequate morphological examination, (b) detection of additional anomalies, and (c) in addition, MRI has the potential to provide information regarding renal function. In this review, we describe the role of fetal MRI in the anatomical evaluation of renal and urogenital tract anomalies, and we also touch upon the contribution of functional MRI to the diagnostic workup of these conditions.     

A performance-based framework for demonstrating appropriate use of an alternate method for wastewater compliance monitoring.

The choice of wastewater compliance methods used in the United States has been largely prescribed; however, in some cases, this has led to data of unknown or poor quality. This problem is further compounded by the relatively slow regulatory approval process to incorporate discharge-specific method modifications or flexibility to using alternate, potentially better technologies. In this study, a framework is presented, using a performance-based-system approach, which a discharger could use to verify proper use of an alternate or modified method. An example, using two chemical oxygen demand methods (a currently approved method and an alternate method that does not generate hazardous waste) demonstrates that the protocol is simple to use, yet scientifically defensible and effective and that this approach should be readily understandable to both regulators and the regulated community. Our results also suggest that the reference method approach, without associated measurement quality objectives, may yield a false sense of competency with an alternate method.     

Systematically selecting an alternative to remediate soil contaminating groundwater

Contaminated soil is a continuing source of ground water contamination at some hazardous waste sites. Even if that soil does not pose a threat to human health or the environment, soil remediation may benefit ground-water cleanup in terms of time, money, or protectiveness. A method has been developed to provide a systematic manner to select a soil cleanup alternative. Using commercially available Windows-based software, the method consists of the development of a decision tree whose chance nodes are the restoration time frame probability distributions. Uncertainty associated with site data is quantitatively evaluated using Monte Carlo analysis to develop the probability distributions. The decision tree selects the alternative with the lowest cost. Data from an actual remedial investigation/feasibility study demonstrate the ease and practicality of the selection method.