Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disorder, affecting around 25% of the population worldwide. It is a complex disease spectrum, closely linked with other conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, which may increase liver-related mortality. In light of this, numerous efforts have been carried out in recent years in order to clarify its pathogenesis and create new prevention strategies. Currently, the essential role of environmental pollutants in NAFLD development is recognized. Particularly, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have a notable influence. EDCs can be classified as natural (phytoestrogens, genistein, and coumestrol) or synthetic, and the latter ones can be further subdivided into industrial (dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and alkylphenols), agricultural (pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides), residential (phthalates, polybrominated biphenyls, and bisphenol A), and pharmaceutical (parabens). Several experimental models have proposed a mechanism involving this group of substances with the disruption of hepatic metabolism, which promotes NAFLD. These include an imbalance between lipid influx/efflux in the liver, mitochondrial dysfunction, liver inflammation, and epigenetic reprogramming. It can be concluded that exposure to EDCs might play a crucial role in NAFLD initiation and evolution. However, further investigations supporting these effects in humans are required.     

Fire safe,sustainable loose furnishing

The aim of this exploratory study has been to investigate the fire properties and environmental aspects of different upholstery material combinations, mainly for domestic applications. An analysis of the sustainability and circularity of selected textiles, along with lifecycle assessment, is used to qualitatively evaluate materials from an environmental perspective. The cone calorimeter was the primary tool used to screen 20 different material combinations from a fire performance perspective. It was found that textile covers of conventional fibres such as wool, cotton and polyester, can be improved by blending them with fire resistant speciality fibres. A new three‐dimensional web structure has been examined as an alternative padding material, showing preliminary promising fire properties with regard to ignition time, heat release rates and smoke production.     

Sustainable supply chain management in Indian organisations: an empirical investigation

The present work is an attempt to investigate the adoption of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices amongst manufacturing and process based organisations in India and its impact on organisational performance encompassing all three dimensions of sustainability. SSCM practices conceived in the present study include environmental management practices (EMP), socially inclusive practices for employees (SPE), socially inclusive practices for community (SPC), operations practices (OP) and supply chain integration (SCI) which were treated as exogenous variables. Organisational performance considered in this study includes five dimensions, namely environmental performance (EPR), employee-centred social performance (ESP), community-centred social performance (CSP), operations performance (OPR) and competitiveness, which were regarded as endogenous variables. The analysis was carried out with the help of structural equation modelling considering natural logarithm of manpower as a control variable. Few major findings are mentioned. EMP does not have any significant association with OPR, nor does it result in competitiveness. However, when jointly mediated through both EPR and OPR, EMP leads to competitiveness. SPC has significant negative association with competitiveness, when only direct relationship is considered. However, indirect relationship between SPC and competitiveness shows significant positive association when mediated through CSP. The resultant total effect between SPC and competitiveness turns out to be insignificant. Further, OPR fully mediates the relationship between OP and competitiveness. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed.     

Hydrogel photocatalysts for efficient energy conversion and environmental treatment

Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution. Photocatalytic particles need to be in contact with their respective media to exhibit efficient photocatalytic performances. However, it is difficult to separate nanometer-sized photocatalytic materials from reaction media later, which may lead to secondary pollution and a poor recycling performance. Hydrogel photocatalysts with a three-dimensional (3D) network structures are promising support materials for photocatalysts based on features such as high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities and good environmental compatibility. In this review, hydrogel photocatalysts are classified into two different categories depending on their elemental composition and recent progresses in the methods for preparing hydrogel photocatalysts are summarized. Moreover, current applications of hydrogel photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation are reviewed. Furthermore, a comprehensive outlook and highlight future challenges in the development of hydrogel photocatalysts are presented.     

分布式无线传感器网络通信协议研究

在归纳分布式无线传感器网络研究进展的基础上，给出了综合分布式无线传感器网络技术各个方面的协议体系结构，并在新的体系结构下，系统地阐述了分布式无线传感器网络通信协议研究的进展，介绍了典型的应用案例和国外相关计划的研究情况。最后，指明了这一处于发展初期的研究领域的未来发展方向。     

地地战术导弹飞行可靠性指标评定方法

在小子样情况下 ,利用系统和分系统试验数据对导弹的飞行可靠性指标进行评定 ,从数学上说是系统可靠性综合问题 .运用MML SR方法对新型号地地战术导弹的飞行可靠性指标进行评定 ,避免了MML方法在遇到无失败单元时不适用的缺陷 ,在利用地面试验信息方面有其明显优势 ;运用Bayes方法对改进型导弹的飞行可靠性指标进行评定 ,将不同试验阶段的多源试验信息作为验前信息 ,扩大了信息量 .最后 ,对两种方法在工程应用上遇到的问题进行了讨论 ,并给出了解决方法 .     

激光晶体Nd:YVO4的形貌及生长缺陷

本文报道了应用环境扫描电镜（ESEM）和同步辐射X射线白光形貌术对采用提拉法生长出的Nd:YVO4晶体进行的形貌及生长缺陷的分析,获得了该晶体的开裂表面的ESEM形貌像以及取自晶体肩部和中间部位的（001）面的同步辐射白光形貌像,观察到了位错、包裹物等缺陷,可为生长高质量的Nd:YVO4晶体提供重要的启示.     

间苯二酚的生产技术现状

介绍了间苯二酚的主要用途和国内外生产现状 ,并对主要的生产方法磺化法和氧化法从环境效应上进行了比较 ,对今后我国间苯二酚的生产发展提出了建议     

建筑给排水设计对住宅环境性能的影响及对策

阐述了建筑给排水工程师在实际工作中除必须满足国家有关强制性规范外 ,还应采取一系列针对性技术措施 ,以使住宅的环境性能得到良好的控制 ,以提高住宅的品质。