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Recycling is an important tool to cope with and sustainably manage rapidly increasing waste generation, and promoting local practices such as informal recycling is vital in developing countries. is study identies determinants of informal recycling that residents of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal practice by selling the recyclable waste to scrap dealers. e data comes from a households survey conducted with around 1200 households in the Valley in 2012. Informal recycling is important because it complements inecient and expensive waste collection services, diverts waste from the landll site, and helps the city to develop sustainably. We found that people who compost are 11.8 to 12.8 percent more likely to recycle in comp

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Desalination has become one of the main alternatives to compensate for water shortages. Although seawater desalination is expensive and has many environmental risks, it is still an important option to compensate for water shortages in Egypt. The discharge of liquid waste (especially heavy metals) from the station into the sea has a negative impact on the water, so the spatial distribution of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and copper) shows high concentrations near the outlets of both AlQusayr and the port of Al-Qusayr. Hamata desalination plants in the southern Red Sea. As for higher quantities of heavy metals - higher than the standard values - such as (Cu, Pb, Cd), they are classified as seawater pollutants, whether they show evidence of toxicity or not. The study demonstrated that seaweed has bio-absorption properties and can effectively absorb heavy metals from the surrounding water, and thus it can serve as a bio-indicator in tools for monitoring the degree of pollution, as well as evaluating water desalination activities

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In Ghana, where pristine waters once flowed freely, a dark tide of transboundary pollution casts a shadow. Illegal mining, a hydra-headed monster, spews its venom into rivers and streams, poisoning ecosystems and threatening communities across borders. This qualitative study, based on a meticulous analysis of 45 key papers, dives deep into the causes and consequences of this environmental scourge.

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Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), also known as testicular feminization, is a rare medical condition that has garnered increased attention in recent years due to evolving research and therapeutic approaches [1,2], as well as the psychological repercussions it has on patients and the risk of being associated not only with sex cord–stromal tumors but also with rare mesenchymal tumors [3]. AIS results from anomalies in the X chromosome and leads individuals with an XY genotype to exhibit various degrees of female physical traits or complete feminine characteristics

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The present paper contains experimental analysis of the spatiotemporal structure of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a packet-pulse excitation mode widely used as an effective tool for plasma modification of various media. The motivation is the need to optimize the conditions for DBD plasma obtaining with a homogeneous diffuse structure. It is shown that for a discharge gap of the millimeter range (1–3 mm) in atmospheric air, under certain conditions, a number of new plasma phenomena are possible - the effects of an increase in the density (total number) of filamentary discharges over time, both unchanged and with a decrease in the area of the filaments, as well as the formation of complex space-time structures. An interpretation of this phenomenon is proposed. Homogeneous diffuse discharges are obtained in a standard electrode configuration with a single dielectric

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The aim of controlling/regulating cellular processes by surface patterning of biomaterials is a crucial concept in emerging research fields, where the precise fabrication of micro-nano surface topographies is required at manufacturing scales to meet consumer demand. Photolithography is typically employed for surface patterning; however, the high cost, process complexity, and lack of environmentally friendly and sustainable methodologies represent steep barriers for many researchers. Soft lithographic methods have been utilised extensively as a potential alternative for traditional photolithography, yet a photolithographic step is still required for initial template fabrication. Here, we demonstrate the use of repurposed optical consumer items such as DVDs, diffraction glasses, and gratings that would otherwise be thrown away after their useful lives, being used here as a sustainable approach as templates for the formation of complex nano-patterns. By replicating these templates in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polylactic acid (PLA), we show the varied interactions of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMC) to these surfaces. Notably, it was demonstrated that, in comparison to nonpatterned substrates, HAoSMC interaction (adhesion, spreading, and viability) was higher on DVD patterned surfaces compared to diffraction glass and grating patterned surfaces according to the results from cell metabolic activity (MTT and Alamar Blue), and proliferation (total DNA) assays. We demonstrate that a simple, reusable, inexpensive, yet robust technology could be a powerful tool in improving our understanding of cell-surface interactions and for the potential development of medical devices with micro- and nanoscale low or high adhesion features

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased maternal and fetal risk of complications. Other than lifestyle modifications and diet, little prevention can be done towards this maternal complication. Through a preclinical approach and a retrospective clinical trial, we investigated the effects of maternal supplementation with a nutraceutical composition based on resveratrol (RSV) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on insulin resistance and GDM status

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We already know a lot about the world around us and, in general terms, understand how things work. Of course, some problems have not yet been solved: the behavior of black holes, the mysteries of quantum entanglement, the transparency of dark matter. It is not clear how life arose from dust. However, we hope to eventually understand everything that we do not yet understand, because we believe in the power of our minds. But the problem of the mind itself stands apart. There is nothing more complex in the world than consciousness. Here we have to comprehend ourselves and it is not entirely obvious that this is possible. Let's say the meat grinder is quite primitive, but she doesn't know it.

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Introduction: Male Breast Cancer is a very rare disease associated with delayed diagnosis and a more invasive or aggressive tumor therapy, i.e., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Lymphedema, shoulder joint restrictions, posture failures, sensitivity disorders, pain or cancer-related fatigue are common complaints.

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Moringa leaf (Moringa oleifera) is referred to as the “natural nutrition of the tropics”, and in the Philippines, as “mothers’ best friend”. It possesses many health benefits and is also used in disease prevention and therapy. The enhancement of moringa’s natural potency is a scientific challenge that has yet to be thought of. We found enhanced inherent characteristics in the moringa leaf by irradiating using our recently invented 2-6µm mid-infrared ray generating atomizer (MIRGA). The achieved benefits were a more desirable taste and aroma, and an enhanced shelf life, thus increasing the potential transportation distance, quality, and palatability. This scientific achievement was supported by suitable instrumentations and sensory evaluation

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The Side Shift approach to correction of scoliosis curves has been used by therapist at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOHT) for over 30 years. The Side Shift approach was developed by Mrs Min Mehta, and has been Modified using consensus based evidence of SOSORT. Clinical observations had indicated that not all patients could actively (Auto) correct to beyond the trunk midline, a key principle of Side Shift. At the RNOHT a classification system based upon the ability of an individual to auto-correct the spine during a Side Shift movement has been developed to aid the appropriate application of the shift exercises and allow future comparative analysi

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The participants underwent assessments across all Theory of Mind (ToM) tasks. All individuals were native speakers, comprising 74 from Iran and 66 from Sweden, aged 6-12, and included those with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and typical development. We conclude that children’s behavior serves as a scale for social and thought problem assessments, evaluated based on teachers' and parents’ scores.

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A trial was carried out on growing lambs to compare conventional protein supplementation of sugarcane with soybean meal with Saccharomyces cerevisiae enrichment produced by solid-state fermentation. Yeast enrichment enabled sugarcane stalks to increase their crude protein content from 4% to 12%. No difference was obtained between these two forms of supplementation on the daily growth of 80.2 and 76.8 g per day for enriched and non-enriched sugarcane respectively.

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Urinary stone is the presence of one or more stony concretes located at any level of a segment of the urinary tract. It is a worldwide problem that can affect all groups of ages and the prevalence has been increasing over time. Urolithiasis affects about 12% of the world population at some stage in their lifetime. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of urinary stone among adult patients attending in Tigray hospitals, Ethiopia.

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Substance use is a major health concern in developing countries with associated significant burden and challenges with management. In the management of substance use disorders, significant emphasis is place on motivational interviewing which has been found effective and contributes to well being and positive outcome of care. Therefore how long it takes to make a decision about change and sustain such is very critical in the management of drug use.

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With this special issue of JMSN we are pleased to present significant contributions to a fascinating topic in the field of materials nanostructing, which is the anodization of valve metals. By this treatment porous oxides of controlled geometry can be grown on the respective metal surfaces. To date, aluminum (Al) has been used most often, as confirmed in this special issue where nine out of ten contributions deals with its anodization.

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The results are presented of obtaining anodic aluminum oxide with an ordered pore arrangement by employing two anodizing modes - galvanostatic mode and combined (galvanostatic + potentiostatic) mode, at high values of the current density and voltage. Use has been made of an oxalate electrolyte and a complex electrolyte comprising oxalic acid and phosphoric acid. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to investigate the surface morphology of the barrier and porous layers and to determine pore sizes and inter-pore distance.

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Human odor detection technologies have drawn attention due to the wide possibility of potential applications they open up in areas such as biometrics, criminal investigation and forensics, search for survivors under rubble, and security checkpoint screening. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been the most successful and powerful analytical approach developed to date for human odor analysis, and hundreds of human odorants have been identified using this tool.

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The application of electronic-nose (E-nose) technologies in forensic science is a recent new development following a long history of progress in the development of diverse applications in the related biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Data from forensic analyses must satisfy the needs and requirements of both the scientific and legal communities. The type of data collected from electronic-nose devices provides a means of identifying specific types of information about the chemical nature of evidentiary objects and samples under investigation using aroma signature profiles of complex gaseous mixtures containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from manufactured products and parts of the human body. E-nose analyses also provide useful qualitative information about the physicochemical characteristics and metabolic conditions of human subjects without the need for time-consuming analyses to identify all chemical components in human-derived volatile mixtures.

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Carbon nanotube (NT) based electronic vapor sensors were tested against synthetic sweat solutions, consisting of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in saline, in order to probe the device ability to analyze and differentiate vapors derived from complex biological samples.

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The collection of human odor volatiles is of interest to forensic applications as a path to investigate canine scent discriminations in legal investigations. A study using a selected array of previously identified human odor compounds has been conducted to determine the retention and release capabilities of five (5) natural and synthetic fabric types, cotton (mercerized fabric and gauze matrix), polyester, rayon and wool.

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The anodization of aluminum foils having micrometer thickness is a common process and results in hexagonally self-ordered alumina membranes. However, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes fabricated from nanometer-thin films present new challenges to the anodization process, since aluminum films adheres poorly on supporting substrates and the smoothness of the film is highly related to the kind of substrate.

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We investigated a method for preparation of ordered nanopore arrays with the interpore distance of 60 nm by guided self-organization of anodic aluminum oxide with a prepatterned array of pits in the starting Al film.

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The design of an electrochemical reactor for the preparation of self-supported comparatively thin (up to 10 μm) and large area (up to 50 cm2) anodic alumina membranes is described allowing growth of porous alumina at high applied potential (up to 150 V) without burning.

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Vertical Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanowire arrays have been synthesized via two-step electroplating method into anodized aluminum oxide template. For deposition of CZTS nanowires, anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) was used as the growth mask for the growth of the nanowires. AAO templates with hole sizes of 70 nm in diameter were used in the experiments.

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Anodic aluminum oxide doped with vanadyl citrate chelate complex anions was formed by a two-step self-organized anodization in 2 wt. % sulfuric acid containing 0.04 M V2O5 and 0.08 M citric acid at voltage range 13-23 V, and at 0 and 15 oC. The combination of two temperatures and at least four voltages (depending on the applied temperature) was applied as the operating conditions of anodization.

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In this paper, we report on the synthesis of BaTiO3 nanowires via the anodic aluminum oxide template method. To fill in the precursors of BaTiO3 into anodic aluminum oxide templates, the vacuum and drop loading method developed in our previous study was used. Ba(CH3COO)2 (barium acetate) and C12H28O4Ti (tetraisopropyl orthotitanate) were used as Ba and Ti sources, respectively. Anodic aluminum oxide membranes with the through-hole diameter of ~200 nm were used as the template for BaTiO3 nanowires.

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