Collection Points Research Articles

Understanding People's Recycling Behavior on Unwanted USB Cables and their Contribution to e‐Waste in Hong Kong through a Territory‐Wide Recycling Programme

AbstractUnwanted USB cables are an emergent type of electronic waste (or e‐waste) that is overlooked in Hong Kong. To address this issue, an action research project, “Off‐lines”, is launched to investigate people's knowledge and awareness of USB cable e‐waste and take initiatives to raise public awareness of its proper disposal. From February to May 2022, the study conducted a questionnaire survey and received 457 valid responses. The results revealed that each respondent has an average of nine unused USB cables and, based on this finding, it is estimated that there are 57.7 million excessive USB cables in Hong Kong. Such excessive ownership can be driven by the fact that ≈70% of respondents are unaware of the recyclability of USB cables, and the knowledge of USB cable recyclability varies depending on age, income level, and awareness of recycling locations. To resolve the problem, 150 collection points are established throughout Hong Kong and successfully collected over 7 700 unwanted USB cables from the public. Additionally, workshops are conducted that raised public awareness by upcycling this emergent e‐waste. This project highlights the urgent need to expand waste collection, promotion, and educational networks, with a particular focus on the elderly population.

OPTIMIZATION OF COLLECTION ROUTES USING THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY METHOD: A CASE STUDY

The paper deals with the implementation of research concerning the collection routes of a selected company and subsequent streamlining processes in the field of distribution logistics. Specifically, the paper is focused on the optimization of collection routes of textile waste for the customer, i.e., a contractual partner of the company under investigation. The objective of the paper is to analyse step by step the current state of logistics of supplying a specific warehouse, followed by the application of the centre of gravity method for proposing a warehouse relocation. Finally, the individual routes to collection points are optimized. In general, optimization is done for two basic reasons: profit maximization and logistics costs minimization, which ultimately has a positive impact on earnings. The outcome is to determine the optimal routes with respect to costs and traffic while considering complications that may occur in a given transport territory.

A capacitated multi-vehicle covering tour problem on a road network and its application to waste collection

In most Swiss municipalities, a curbside system consisting of heavy trucks stopping at almost each household is used for non-recoverable waste collection. Due to the many stops of the trucks, this strategy causes high fuel consumption, emissions and noise. These effects can be alleviated by reducing the number of stops performed by the collection vehicles. One possibility consists of selecting a subset of candidate locations that are scattered throughout the municipality to place collection points which are used by residents to bring their waste. Provided that the underlying road network is available and that the collection vehicle has a known capacity, we refer to this problem as the capacitated multi-vehicle covering tour problem on a road network (Cm-CTP-R). We propose a road-network-based mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) formulation that exploits the sparsity of the network. We compare it against the MILP formulation that results from assuming a customer-based graph, which is typically used in vehicle routing problems (VRP). To solve large instances, we develop a two-phased heuristic approach that addresses the two subproblems the Cm-CTP-R is built on: a set covering problem to select the locations and a split-delivery VRP to determine the tours. Computational experiments on instances derived from real-life data show that the road-network-based formulation is better suited. Furthermore, the proposed heuristic provides good solutions with optimality gaps below 1.7% and finds better solutions for most of the instances that the exact method is not able to solve within a given time limit.

Management of Electro-Electronic Equipment Waste and its Relationship With Social Vulnerability in the City of Recife-Pe: A Study from the Perspective of Spatial Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the influence of social vulnerability on the management of waste from electrical and electronic equipment considering the distribution of collection points in the city of Recife-PE. Theoretical framework: Not all citizens have access to the WEEE collection service or understand the need for proper disposal. Furthermore, the lack of infrastructure, environmental education and public policies aimed at managing WEEE can make it difficult to implement an efficient and sustainable system for collecting these materials. Method: A spatial analysis was carried out based on the socioeconomic and environmental indicators of the census sectors in the area under study, as well as the location of existing collection points. Results and conclusions: The spatial analysis showed that WEEE collection points are poorly distributed in the city, with the majority in areas of lower social vulnerability. This may affect the effectiveness of WEEE management. Therefore, it is necessary to expand and decentralize collection points, in addition to promoting environmental education and social inclusion to encourage citizen participation in WEEE management in Recife-PE. Research implications: The study is of great relevance, as it indicates how social vulnerability interferes with the management of WEEE. Originality/value: Research reveals that it is possible to use spatial analysis to identify trends in WEEE management. This tool can guide actions by public managers, companies, civil organizations and consumers, encouraging the correct disposal of WEEE in specific collection locations in the city of Recife-PE.

Water Quality of the Meia Ponte River in the Catchment Region for Public Supply

Purpose: This research aimed to evaluate the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of water in a certain region of the Meia Ponte river basin, through monitoring water quality parameters, and also to verify the interference of the rainy season in water treatment. Methods: Physicochemical and microbiological analyzes were carried out, evaluating the following parameters: pH, turbidity, color, temperature, total coliforms and Escherichia coli. The location chosen to carry out the collections was the water collection point for public supply from the Meia Ponte River. Results and conclusion: The physicochemical results obtained in this work were in accordance with CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 of the Ministry of the Environment; as for the microbiological results, which are based on CONAMA 374/2000, only the verified values for Escherichia coli are in accordance with the resolution. Research implications: The conservation of water sources is extremely important to ensure that the quality and quantity of treated water are in satisfactory condition to meet the population's demand. The quality of the water will depend on the activities that are carried out around the river basin. Originality/value: Verification of the interference of seasonality typical of the region, in the quality of water for public supply.

Revealing defect-bound excitons in WS2 monolayer at room temperature by exploiting the transverse electric polarized wave supported by a Si3N4/Ag heterostructure

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers are promising materials for light-emitting devices due to their excellent electric and optical properties. However, defects are inevitably introduced in the fabrication of TMDC monolayers, significantly influencing their emission properties. Although photoluminescence (PL) is considered as an effective tool for investigating the defects in TMDC monolayers. However, the PL from the defect-bound excitons is revealed only at low temperatures. Here, we show that the PL from the defect-bound excitons in a WS2 monolayer can be effectively revealed at room temperature by exploiting the transverse electric polarized wave supported by a Si3N4/Ag heterostructure. It is revealed that the defect-bound excitons in all possible positions of the WS2 monolayer can be effectively excited by the TE wave with significantly enhanced in-plane electric field localized on the surface of the Si3N4 layer. In addition, the emission from defect-bound excitons can propagate to the collection point with small attenuation. More importantly, the exciton dynamics in the WS2 monolayer can be modified by the Si3N4/Ag heterostructure, allowing the simultaneous excitation of neutral excitons, charge excitons (trions), and defect-bound excitons in the WS2 monolayer attached on the Si3N4/Ag heterostructure. We inspect the PL spectra obtained at different positions and find that the relative intensity of defect-bound excitons depends on the collection position. We also examine the dependences of the PL intensity and bandwidth on the excitation power for the three types of excitons. It is found that they exhibit different behaviors from those observed in the optical measurements by using the traditional excitation method. Our findings suggest a new way for exciting and studying the dynamics of multi-excitons at room temperature and indicate the potential applications of the TE wave in probing the defects in TMDC monolayers.

Emotion Regulation Predicts Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Prospective Study.

Emotion regulation as a proximal factor has been linked with depressive symptoms. However, studies have mainly focused on a limited number of strategies and have mostly been cross-sectional in design. This is particularly evident when examining the protective effects of adaptive strategies. This study aimed to investigate the prospective relationship between putatively adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Additionally, a person-oriented approach was applied to identify latent classes of adolescents based on their depressive symptoms and compared these classes in terms of their adaptive and maladaptive strategies. Two waves of data from a prospective study, which included 1371 youth (mean age: 15.66 years; SD = 0.49 years; 55.1% girls), were analysed. The two points of data collection were spaced approximately half a year apart. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and putatively adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies were assessed with the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Seven strategies (acceptance, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, self-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing) were categorised into adaptive and maladaptive factors using exploratory structural equation modeling. After controlling for gender, age, and depressive symptoms at Time 1, both maladaptive and adaptive emotion regulation strategies at Time 1 predicted depressive symptoms at Time 2. Three subgroups emerged based on the intensity of depressive symptoms across the waves: the stable low, stable moderate, and stable high depressive symptom groups. The use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (such as rumination, self-blame, and catastrophizing) at Time 1 was more pronounced in the stable moderate and high symptom groups compared to the stable low depressive symptom group. The comparable prospective associations between putatively adaptive and maladaptive strategies with symptoms suggest the need to identify factors that may mitigate the negative impact of maladaptive emotion regulation and/or promote adaptive emotion regulation to buffer the effects of everyday stressors.

An Overview of the Benefits and Advantages of Implementing Mechanisation in the Oil Palm Plantation: A Look at Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) Evacuation

The oil palm industry is labour-intensive to efficiently sustain the productivity of plantations. This article aims to review the benefits and advantages of mechanisation and introduce the types of machinery available to achieve it. The implementation of mechanisation in the oil palm plantation can help ease the dependence on human labour while avoiding diminishing field output. Fresh fruit bunch (FFB) evacuation involves the transportation of FFBs after harvesting from the field to the mill. The conventional methods for evacuation activities involve the use of wheelbarrows and lorries or tractors. The harvested FFBs will be evacuated using a wheelbarrow from the infield and placed on a platform before being hauled out of the plantation by tractor or lorry to the mill or collection point. New tractors attached with FFB grabbers and the systematic planting of oil palm in rows can help to reduce the amount of labour required and improve the quality of life for plantation workers. The Malaysian palm oil board (MPOB) has developed transport vehicles such as the Hydra-Porter, Grabber, and Beluga that are available to the industry. Optimising FFB evacuation in the oil palm plantation could improve FFB yields. Plantations that implemented the scissor lift trailer and FFB grabber combination could on average collect 27.5 tonnes of FFB a day.

Predicting foodborne pathogens and probiotics taxa within poultry-related microbiomes using a machine learning approach

BackgroundMicrobiomes that can serve as an indicator of gut, intestinal, and general health of humans and animals are largely influenced by food consumed and contaminant bioagents. Microbiome studies usually focus on estimating the alpha (within sample) and beta (similarity/dissimilarity among samples) diversities. This study took a combinatorial approach and applied machine learning to microbiome data to predict the presence of disease-causing pathogens and their association with known/potential probiotic taxa. Probiotics are beneficial living microorganisms capable of improving the host organism’s digestive system, immune function and ultimately overall health. Here, 16 S rRNA gene high-throughput Illumina sequencing of temporal pre-harvest (feces, soil) samples of 42 pastured poultry flocks (poultry in this entire work solely refers to chickens) from southeastern U.S. farms was used to generate the relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) as machine learning input. Unique genera from the OTUs were used as predictors of the prevalence of foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria) at different stages of poultry growth (START (2–4 weeks old), MID (5–7 weeks old), END (8–11 weeks old)), association with farm management practices and physicochemical properties.ResultWhile we did not see any significant associations between known probiotics and Salmonella or Listeria, we observed significant negative correlations between known probiotics (Bacillus and Clostridium) and Campylobacter at the mid-time point of sample collection. Our data indicates a negative correlation between potential probiotics and Campylobacter at both early and end-time points of sample collection. Furthermore, our model prediction shows that changes in farm operations such as how often the houses are moved on the pasture, age at which chickens are introduced to the pasture, diet composition and presence of other animals on the farm could favorably increase the abundance and activity of probiotics that could reduce Campylobacter prevalence.ConclusionIntegration of microbiome data with farm management practices using machine learning provided insights on how to reduce Campylobacter prevalence and transmission along the farm-to-fork continuum. Altering management practices to support proliferation of beneficial probiotics to reduce pathogen prevalence identified here could constitute a complementary method to the existing but ineffective interventions such as vaccination and bacteriophage cocktails usage. Study findings also corroborate the presence of bacterial genera such as Caloramator, DA101, Parabacteroides and Faecalibacterium as potential probiotics.

Isolasi dan Identifikasi Mikroba Penyebab Kontaminasi dari Udara di Laboratorium Kultur Jaringan Tumbuhan UIN-SU Medan

Plant tissue culture laboratory is a technique for growing cells, tissues or slices of plant organs which are often called explants in the laboratory in an artificial media containing aseptic (sterile) nutrients to become a whole plant. This research aims to know the isolation and identification of contaminating microbes in the plant tissue culture laboratory and to know the types of contaminating microbes in the plant tissue culture laboratory. This research was conducted from december 2022 to january 2023 at the Wahdatul Ulum plant tissue culture laboratory, uinsu medan with 5 main sampling points.the sampling point consists of an incubation room, planting room and practicum space which is divided into 3 collection points. Staining tests and biochemical tests are conducted at the USU faculty of mathematics and natural sciences microbiology laboratory. The results of the study found 23 bacterial isolates that contamined the wahdatul ulum plant tissue culture laboratory at UINSU Medan consisting of the genera bacillus, lactobacillus, streptobasil, aeromonas, pseudomonas, serratia, bacteroides and acinetobacter while the contaminating fungi were Mucor sp. Contamination occurs due to mobility and activity in the laboratory room.

University and local recyclable material cooperative – building bridges around e-waste

Abstract An e-waste outreach project was developed with two overriding goals: (1) to strengthen the partnership between the university and the local recyclable material cooperative, which has been carrying out actions aimed at supporting the work of the Cooperative, and (2) to collaborate in the expansion of environmental education activities in the process of social and economic insertion of collectors and the reduction of environmental impacts. During this process, the materials and corresponding activities related to the theoretical and practical course followed by the cooperative workers were developed by a transversal team of (under)graduate students, faculty, and staff from the Chemistry, Electric Engineering, and Public Administration areas. In addition, social media materials were created to sensibilize and engage the university community regarding effective e-waste awareness, to adhere to the voluntary drop-off point of e-waste collection, and to address the issues that can affect our environment and health if e-waste is sent to landfills. It was an example of how chemistry contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals through an outreach project.

Measurement of Non-Contact Uterine Fundus in Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy Using Machine Learning

Regular pregnancy checks provide good data points for pregnant women. The information obtained is expected to have an impact on the health of the baby from the womb until the baby is born. Fetal monitoring and examination have developed significantly in terms of the use of technology as a tool for control and examination. In harmony with digitalization being promoted by the government through digital-based health services. On the other hand, apart from causing things to change the order of life, including behavior and habits, one of the things is the role of technology, which is increasingly vital in its initial nature as a tool for human life, including in the health sector. One of the things that can be integrated with technology is pregnancy monitoring for pregnant women, especially measuring the symphysis-fundal height. Professionals should have an accurate prediction method for making diagnoses during prenatal care, so they can detect them as early as possible. This can be assisted by detecting the size of the symphysis-fundal height using digital images. This study took data from 98 respondents with a distribution of 4 data collection points. Of the 98 data, there were 10 invalid data because manual measurements failed to take place. This study took data from 98 respondents with a distribution of 4 data collection points. This study is the best accuracy at the Banjaran midwife location, with a success rate of 93%. Further research is needed with a larger sample of pregnant women so that machine learning has an adequate trial to become a data-based maternal health. The implication of these findings is that machine learning has not been able to predict gestational age with precision, so it must be given more samples so that machine learning can continue to be trained in predicting and calculating after the end of the second and third trimesters.

Validation of the Nursing Student Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion Self-Confidence Scale.

Background and Purpose: It has been shown that nurse confidence predicts peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion success. However, intravenous cannulation is a challenging skill for entry to practice students. To date, there is no well-validated measure of nursing student self-confidence in learning and performing PIVC insertion. To address this measurement gap, we created and validated the Nursing Student PIVC Insertion Self-Confidence Scale. Methods: This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Three cohorts of undergraduate entry-to-practice students at a Canadian university were recruited and assessed during their studies. Two hundred and eighty-one students completed the scale at the first data collection point and 146 at the second point. The structure of the tool was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis to extract factors and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed for validation. Results: CFA revealed a three-factor scale (PIVC Cannulation Confidence, PIVC Preparation and Securement Confidence, and PIVC Learning Confidence). It has 15 items with satisfactory goodness of fit indices. Conclusions: The Nursing Student PIVC Insertion Self-Confidence Scale is a valid and reliable scale to measure nursing students' confidence in learning about and performing PIVC insertions.

Land use and Occupation and Water Quality of the Meia Ponte River

Purpose: The present study aimed to study the catchment basin of the Meia Ponte River, analyzing land use and occupation, verifying whether permanent preservation areas are being preserved and which activities predominate in the region. Theoretical framework: Inadequate land use and the release of effluents can harm the quality and quantity of water available for use. Therefore, the sustainable exploitation of natural resources is necessary, combining economic development and environmental preservation. Methods: Physicochemical analyzes were carried out, evaluating the following parameters: pH, turbidity, color, temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus. The location chosen to carry out the collections was the water collection point for public supply from the Meia Ponte River. In addition to data obtained by the mapbiomas program using QGIS software. To delimit the basin, data from the Goiás geographic information system (SIEG) was used. Results and conclusion: The results showed that more than 60% of the basin area studied was pasture area, showing that there is degradation in the basin and satellite images showed that there are also areas of APP that are not properly preserved. Furthermore, water collections during the rainy season showed a high turbidity value, indicating that solids are being transported into the water body. Research implications: The main contributions are related to the eutrophication process and the environmental impacts caused by human actions. Originality/value: Verification of the impacts of human actions on land use and occupation on water quality in the Meia Ponte river region.

The Effects of Stocking Density and Food Deprivation on Mucous Cells and Lysozyme Activity in the Skin and Gills of Silver Catfish.

This study aimed to identify the regions of the body surface of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) with a higher population of mucous cells in the skin. Additionally, the effects of stressful conditions, such as different stocking densities and food deprivation, on the proliferative response of mucous cells in the skin and gill epithelium and their impact on cutaneous mucous lysozyme activity were investigated. Silver catfish were divided into four experimental groups: high stocking density (32 kg/m3) and fed (HSD-F), high stocking density and fasted (HSD-FS), low stocking density (2.5 kg/m3) and fed (LSD-F), and low stocking density and fasted (LSD-FS). Fish in the fed groups received commercial feed twice a day, amounting to 1% of the tank biomass. After a 14-day experimental period, the fish were anesthetized and euthanized. Samples of cutaneous mucous and skin fragments from seven different points and the second left branchial arch were collected. Histological slides of the skin and gills were stained with PAS + Alcian Blue at pH 2.5, and the epidermal mucous lysozyme activity was assessed using the turbidimetric method. The ventral point in front of the ventral fin was found to be the optimal location for collecting cutaneous epithelia due to its higher density of mucous cells. The population of mucous cells in both the skin and gills varied based on the collection point and treatment applied. The highest lysozyme activity in the epidermal mucous was observed in fish from the HSD-F group. Overall, these findings suggest that stocking density and food deprivation create stressful conditions for silver catfish, which modulate their mucosal response to each situation.

Is environmental regulation keeping e-waste under control? Evidence from e-waste exports in the European Union

Waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, known as e-waste, is increasing worldwide. Developed countries like those in Europe produce the most significant proportion of e-waste worldwide and, therefore, rely on exporting it to other countries for waste disposal. As Europe is transiting towards a Circular Economy and tackling environmental-related problems, there has been an increase in environmental policies and regulations in this area. This paper presents empirical evidence of how European Union regulations have affected the exports of e-waste. Yearly data from 2010 to 2018 for a panel of 18 European Union countries were analysed using the PCSE (Panel-Corrected Standard Error) estimator. In order to measure environmental regulation, Environmental Tax Revenues from the manufacture of computers, electronic, and optical products were selected. The findings of this paper suggest that taxation is ineffective in reducing e-waste exports, with a tax on manufacturers actually increasing them. Also, high dependence and sub-standard e-waste collection systems increase e-waste exportation. Given that countries often depend on foreign raw materials, a sensible approach would be to invest in collection points for e-waste to take economic advantage of this waste's vital elements.

Loneliness status transitions and risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older adults

Background and aimsLoneliness is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the levels at which individuals experience it can transition over time. However, the impact of increased loneliness or decreased loneliness on later CVD risk remains unexplored. We aimed to identify the age-specific association between loneliness status transitions and subsequent CVD incidences in middle-aged and older adults. Methods and resultsData was extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) on 8463 adults to evaluate how loneliness status transitions across two data collection points were associated with the subsequent CVD incidence at a five-year follow-up. Loneliness status transitions were divided into four categories: stable low loneliness, decreased loneliness, increased loneliness, and stable high loneliness. Data were analyzed using a Cox-proportional hazards model with age subgroups, accounting for covariates at baseline. During follow-up, the incidence rate of CVD per 1000 person-years was lower for the stable low loneliness group and decreased loneliness group compared to the increased loneliness and stable high loneliness group. Increased loneliness is associated with the highest risk of overall CVD and heart disease (HR 2.44, P < 0.001; HR 2.34, P < 0.001), while stable high loneliness is associated with the highest risk of stroke among the four loneliness categories (HR 4.29, P < 0.05). The age-specific analyses revealed no statistically significant interaction in terms of loneliness status transitions and age group. ConclusionIncreased loneliness and stable high loneliness are associated with higher CVD risk. In clinical practice, it is important to monitor patients’ loneliness status transitions to reduce CVD incidences.

An assessment of solid waste management in state-owned tertiary institutions, Kano State, Nigeria

The research is aimed at assessing Solid Waste Management in Kano State Owned Tertiary Institutions. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Key informant interview was conducted with the head of cleaners using purposive sampling technique. The data collected was analyzed and presented using tables. The research revealed that the type of waste that is most generated in the schools are polythene, papers and dead leaves. The research also discovered that the numbers of cleaners are not enough in the study area when compared to the large portion they are assigned to work on. Also the research discovered that the schools have one main waste collection point with only the School of Management Studies which has two collection points. However, to make waste disposal simpler, tiny drums are positioned throughout the schools in various locations. Some of the major challenges faced in Waste Management in the Schools are lack of cleaning equipment, lack of cooperation from students and problem of managing the workers as most of them are uneducated and are not permanent workers. It was recommended that more cleaners should be employed and the school management should provide more working equipment like brooms, rake, dustbins, cutlass etc. Also the welfare and working condition of the workers should be improved.

Dietitian-led cluster randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of mHealth education on health outcomes among pregnant women: a protocol paper

IntroductionNutrition education is the cornerstone to maintain optimal pregnancy outcomes including gestational weight gain (GWG). Nevertheless, default for appointments is common and often lead to suboptimal achievement of GWG, accompanied...

Hygiene Knowledge and Practices of Portuguese Hunters Using Wild Boar Meat for Private Consumption

The microbiological contamination of wild boar meat depends on the hygiene practices that hunters apply during its preparation, from the point of collection to its refrigeration. This study assesses Portuguese hunters’ knowledge of hygiene practices when handling wild boar carcasses that can jeopardise meat safety. A general structured survey entitled “Private consumption of game meat and good hygiene practices” was distributed to Portuguese hunters. Of the 206 respondents, 95% use wild boar meat for private consumption without prior inspection or initial examination by a veterinarian. This study also revealed that the vast majority of respondents have several risky practices that can compromise the safety of wild boar meat consumed (evisceration, handling, refrigeration, and transport). It is also evident that there is a lack of knowledge related to recognising lesions compatible with zoonotic infections in the hunted animals. These inappropriate knowledge and practices can pose a risk to hunters (occupational zoonotic health) and consumers (foodborne diseases). To reduce this risk, hunters need to be trained and informed about proper game meat handling practices.