United Nations Research Articles

Comprehensive inventory of imports of electrical and electronic equipment and related plastics and POPs plastic additives into Nigeria in the past 32 years (1990–2022)

The global management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and related plastics, and the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) contained in it constitute a global challenge in particular for low-income countries in Africa where monitoring capacity and waste management infrastructure are lacking. While plastic recycling is highlighted as an important part of the solution to plastic pollution, such recycling is threatened by the presence of POPs. Overall, there is a lack of data on POPs in (W)EEE plastics with the exception of PBDEs. The objective of this study was to analyse the overall imports of (W)EEE into Nigeria and estimate the associated amount of plastics and POPs for better planning and management of WEEE plastics. This study assessed all EEE importation categories and compiled the importations of 28 EEE product groups with the highest importation, covering more than 98 % of officially imported EEE based on the United Nations Comtrade Database using harmonized system (HS) codes. The impact factors of POPs and plastic from the UNEP inventory guidance were used for the estimates. Overall, 4568 kilo-tonnes (kt) of EEE were officialy imported between 1990 and 2022 containing 1337 kt of plastic. If considering also the estimated imported WEEE and EEE not covered in the Comtrade statistics, the total imported (W)EEE is estimated to 12,259 kt including 3644 kt of plastics and an estimated 1043 t of hexaBDE/heptaBDE and 8511 t of DecaBDE as major POP additives, and lower levels of 154 t of HBCD, 91 t of SCCPs, 364 t of MCCP, and 146 t of Dechlorane Plus. The study is the first estimate of all major POPs in (W)EEE plastics in a low-income country and provides important information for their management.

The influence of changes in the economy structure on social sustainability in developing countries—A spatial approach

AbstractThis research presents an analysis of the influence of changes in the economy structure on social sustainability in developing countries. In this paper, this relationship is considered on a macroeconomic scale. The research utilises data from 98 selected developing countries located in Europe, Asia, Americas, and Africa from 2013 to 2020. The social conditions in developing countries, particularly located in Africa (due to health and hunger problems), are extensively discussed. The main goal of the study is to compare whether the economy servitisation in Africa affects same on the social sustainability as in the countries situated on other continents. This study describes social sustainability using selected determinants outlined in the first, second, and third goals of sustainable development (SD) formulated by the United Nations—SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), and SDG3 (good health and well‐being). The level of social sustainability is evaluated using a synthetic measure by Perkal. Moreover, spatio‐temporal sensitivity models are estimated and verified. The sensitivity parameter in these models demonstrates the impact of progress in the servitisation process on social sustainability. Furthermore, this connection is considered within separate groups of countries that are divided into four clusters depending on the continent on which they are located. The analysis presents that in the African countries the social conditions are the worst, but focus on the economy servitisation there can rapidly improve this situation. This results from the most sensitive social sustainability in the African countries caused by the economy servitisation.

Investigating Sense of Place and Geoethical Awareness among Educators at the 4th Summer School of Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Anthropogenic global challenges and environmental pressures are increasingly significant. Developing pro-environmental behavior and geoethics is crucial for enhancing awareness, action capability, and respect for natural systems. UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) play a vital role in conserving geological and biological diversity while aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This quasi-experimental study, conducted during the 4th Summer School of Environmental Education on Geotopes and Sustainability at the Sitia UGGp, uses a pre–post design and comprehensive questionnaire to explore changes in participants’ sense of place and geoethical awareness. Results indicate significant improvements in place attachment, place meaning, and geoethical awareness. These findings suggest that stronger emotional bonds and deeper personal meanings related to the Sitia UGGp correlate with increased geoethical awareness. This research highlights the role of psychological connections in influencing geoenvironmental ethics and underscores the importance of place-based emotional and cognitive bonds in fostering geoethical thinking. However, this study’s limited sample size and the specific geographic context of Sitia UGGp may limit the generalizability of the findings. Despite these limitations, this study provides insights into the interplay of emotions, meanings, and geoethics within the sustainability and resilience spectrum.

International tourist organizations: legal status, classification, significance

The constant growth of international tourism exchange has led to the need for its legal regulation at the international level and the establishment of various international tourism organizations. The relevance of the study is due to the growing role of international organizations in the development of cooperation in the field of tourism. The study aims to determine the specific features of the functioning of international tourism organizations as subjects of international tourism law. To conduct an objective study, the following methods were used: analysis and synthesis; deduction and induction; structural and logical generalization; and systematization. The article identifies the specific features and peculiarities of international tourism organizations. It is established that international organizations play an important role in the formation and application of international law, both in the process of its formation and in its implementation. International tourism organizations are formed through voluntary accession and participation of tourism sector representatives from different countries, operate continuously by the adopted charters, and have already proven to be an important instrument of international cooperation. The author defines the legal status of international tourism organizations. The author establishes that the most common international tourism structure is an association that brings together national organizations, tourism industry enterprises, and individuals voluntarily to solve specific tasks in the field of tourism. Approaches to the classification of international tourism organizations are generalized. The classification of international tourism organizations by types of activity, spheres of activity, national­territorial basis, and socio-state basis is considered. International tourism organizations are usually divided into the following main groups: global of a general nature; regional of a general nature; regional of a sectoral nature; specialized; and special. The article examines the role of leading international tourism organizations in developing tourism. The United Nations has recognized the leading role of the World Tourism Organization in the field of tourism and travel, assigning it the key responsibility for promoting responsible, sustainable, and accessible tourism, designed to foster economic growth, international understanding, peace, and prosperity, as well as mutual respect and unconditional observance of civil rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Contribution of Green Roofs in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals

Green roofs are eco-friendly systems designed to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits while they enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings. Their construction on rooftop of buildings in urban communities is important for the local residents and the environment. The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 serving as a blueprint for developing a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world by 2030, focusing on environmental, economic and social progress. The multiple benefits of green roofs are related with the achievement of the sustainable development goals. Creation of green roofs in urban areas facilitates the achievement of the SDG3 related with good health and well-being as well as SDG11 related with sustainable cities and communities, SDG13 related with climate action and SDG15 related with life on land. Therefore, the development of green roofs in urban areas is very useful and beneficial for the buildings’ residents, the environment and the local community. Due to multiple external benefits of green roofs their construction should be promoted with financial and non-financial incentives by municipal and regional authorities combined with removal of several barriers hindering their adoption and development.

Advancing Circular Economy through Knowledge Transfer: A Decade of Research Insights

Economic growth and sustainable development are central themes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations and adopted by the European Commission for EU member countries. Transitioning to a circular economy (CE) aligns with the SDGs, particularly through the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs). This comparative analysis synthesises the contributions of multiple scholars, providing a cohesive understanding of current advancements and challenges in CE and sustainable resource management. Key themes include stakeholder collaboration, technological innovations, waste management, and policy frameworks. Effective waste management and valorisation of materials are highlighted, with significant advancements in electronic waste treatment, automotive shredder residue processing, and construction waste recycling. Moreover, the study emphasises the importance of cooperation through partnerships, as outlined in SDG17, and knowledge transfer in building trust within developed countries. The literature review reveals interactions between knowledge transfer components, such as research and development, foreign direct investment, and CE indicators, including circular material use rate and recycling rate. A bibliometric technique and VOSviewer were employed for visually representative and comprehensible literature analysis. The findings suggest that the integrated efforts of various stakeholders, technological advancements, and robust policy frameworks are essential for achieving a sustainable and circular future. By analysing these components, the research aims to evaluate the potential of EU member states to achieve sustainable development, providing valuable insights into the theoretical approaches and indicators used in CE and knowledge transfer studies.

Assessment of Waste Animal Fats (WAFS) Biodiesel Production Potential as an Alternative Fuel for Zambia: A Case Study of Southern Province

The volatility in global fuel prices and the desire to reduce energy dependency on fossil fuels has necessitated the speeding up of alternative energy supply sources. Coupled to this is the global urgent need to reduce the accumulation of CO2 and green house gas (GHG) emissions as a result of fossil fuels production and use. Further, the mandate by united nations to move towards sustainably produced energy for the transportation, and power generation demands that we seek energy solutions that meet reduced negative impact on the environment. It is in this regard that this study seeks alternatives in waste animal fats (WAFs) biodiesel as an option that could meet the ever increasing demand for fossil fuel in the transport sector and power generation. For the transport sector and power generation , the biodiesel maybe blended with the fossil diesel in the approved ratios as stipulated by the Energy Regulation Board and the Zambia Bureau of Standards to help mitigate the net GHG and CO2 emissions. The biodiesel production in this study was based on the modified two-step process. These two steps involved passing the feedstock through esterification using sulphuric acid as catalyst and there after base catalysed using sodium hydroxide in a process referred to as transesterification. The resulting products in the esterification process are the esters and water whilst in the transesterification are the biodiesel and glycerol. The feedstock used are those of waste animal fats (WAFs) of cattle, pig and chicken that has been discarded from meat processing and animal slaughter houses. The feedstocks have been carefully selected based on the animals raised in the country with a bigger slaughtered population as well as reared. The population of animals reared and slaughtered annually are obtained from the Zambia Ministry of Agriculture animal population census records. Based on these records, the preferred feedstock sources where obtained. The study further 1. explored the economic potential of the biodiesel production for the Zambian government and beyond. 2. compared some of the characteristics of WAF biodiesel to that of imported fossil diesel 3. affirmed that WAF biodiesel has a very good impact in reducing environmental pollution as WAF dumping to land fills and the cost of disposal is reduced. Also,WAF biodiesel is bio-degradable. Thus, moving closer to an effective sustainable development as required by the united nations sustainability goals if full scale production is implemented in Zambia.

Sustainability and Information Systems in the Context of Smart Business: A Systematic Review

In recent years, calls have increased for adherence to standards that ensure sustainability, including the global initiative presented by the United Nations with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure a more sustainable future. Achieving these goals is extremely important, as institutions have sought to integrate technology, especially business intelligence, into their operations to ensure their achievement. This study aims to provide a systematic literature review of the intersection of information systems and sustainability in business intelligence. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was utilized to select high-quality studies from various databases, including ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus, to be included in this review. The methodology resulted in 32 studies taxonomized into four main categories covering different aspects of the intersection of information systems and sustainability. This study discusses integrating information systems and sustainability in various sectors, such as tourism, health, urban, and other sectors, with different technologies, such as Blockchain, IoT, Industry 4.0, and other innovations. Moreover, the information system types implemented to support sustainability practices in different domains are highlighted.

Activity Concentration of Natural Radionuclides in Surface Sediments of Major River Watersheds in Korea and Assessment of Radiological Hazards

The assessment of potential radiation hazards in accumulated sediments in aquatic ecosystems is vital for the management and disposal of sediments. Furthermore, preemptive management of radionuclides in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for marine ecosystem conservation. We analyzed the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra,232Th, 238U, and 40K) in the surface sediments of major river watersheds in Korea and evaluated the radiation hazards stemming from these activity concentrations. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra and 238U were lower than the global average, whereas those of 232Th and 40K were higher. The mean values of radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, and internal hazard index calculated from these activity concentrations did not exceed the recommended maximum values. The mean values of absorbed gamma dose rate in air and annual outdoor effective dose rate (AEDRout) were higher than the global average by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) but remarkably lower than the recommended and background values by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). The contribution of 40K and 232Th to the AEDRout mean value was predominant. In conclusion, the surface sediments of major river watersheds in Korea are associated with negligible radiation hazards. These findings provide fundamental data for the management and treatment of sediments in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Assessment of radiological contamination due to gold mining in soil and food crops of Babban Tsauni, Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

This work assessed the activity concentrations of 238U(226Ra), 232Th, and 40K and their associated radiological risks due to exposure to soil and consumption of food crops in Babban Tsauni artisanal gold mine, Gwagwalada, Nigeria, using the gamma spectrometry technique. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the mine soil were 60.2±9.9, 161.4±16.2, and 664.6±138.2, while they were 46.4±4.9, 79.9±39.3, 266.4±185.4 for tubers and 46.9±15.7, 100.5±35.8, 311.4±132.7 (Bq/kg) for grains, respectively. The results reveal that the activity concentrations of radionuclides in all samples exceeded the recommended values set by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (33, 45, and 420 Bq/kg) except 40K, which fell within the acceptable limit in all food crop sample types. Estimated results for radiological hazard parameters, radium equivalent, annual effective dose due to ingestion, and excess life cancer risk were within safe limits, while the annual effective dose due to external gamma radiation in soil and annual gonadal equivalent dose were significantly high in all investigated samples; these call for constant radiological monitoring.

The Role of Green Infrastructure in Providing Urban Ecosystem Services: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective

Urban ecosystems, and the services they provide, are a key focus of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 11, which emphasizes making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Green infrastructure (GI) is crucial in enhancing citizens’ quality of life and achieving this goal and it can be defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to deliver a range of ecosystem services (ESs). These infrastructures improve ecosystem functioning, protect biodiversity, promote health, support sustainable land and water management, and boost the local green economy. This paper explores the scientific literature on GI and their ESs in cities using bibliometric science. By combining the keywords “Green Infrastructures”, “Ecosystem Services”, and “Cities” with VOSviewer software (1.6.20 version), we analyzed trends over time. Results show growing attention to these topics, emphasizing human well-being, urban resilience, and sustainability. The study also highlights that focusing exclusively on either “Green Infrastructure in Cities” or “Ecosystem Services in Cities” leads to fragmented insights. A more integrated examination of these three domains offers a holistic view and underscores the importance of considering ecosystem disservices. The study further identifies key research directions, including the need for a comprehensive evaluation of diverse GI types, especially those that are under-researched, such as green roofs, sports areas, and wetlands, and the underexplored role of cultural ecosystem services. Additionally, future research should consider both the benefits and disservices of GI to support better urban planning decisions. Finally, integrating biophysical, social, and economic values of ESs is critical for providing more holistic insights and enhancing sustainable urban development. The novelty of this paper lies in its integrated, holistic approach to examining GI and ESs in urban areas, with a focus on ecosystem disservices, insufficient attention to specific GI types, and the role of cultural ecosystem services—each contributing to the creation of more resilient and sustainable cities.

Multi-Layered Unsupervised Learning Driven by Signal-to-Noise Ratio-Based Relaying for Vehicular Ad Hoc Network-Supported Intelligent Transport System in eHealth Monitoring.

Every year, about 1.19 million people are killed in traffic accidents; hence, the United Nations has a goal of halving the number of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. In line with this objective, technological innovations in telecommunication, particularly brought about by the rise of 5G networks, have contributed to the development of modern Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems for communication. A New Radio V2X (NR-V2X) was introduced in the latest Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) releases which allows user devices to exchange information without relying on roadside infrastructures. This, together with Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), has led to the significantly increased reliability, coverage, and efficiency of vehicular communication networks. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), especially K-means clustering, has been very promising in terms of supporting efficient data exchange in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). K-means is an unsupervised machine learning (ML) technique that groups vehicles located near each other geographically so that they can communicate with one another directly within these clusters while also allowing for inter-cluster communication via cluster heads. This paper proposes a multi-layered VANET-enabled Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) framework powered by unsupervised learning to optimize communication efficiency, scalability, and reliability. By leveraging AI in VANET solutions, the proposed framework aims to address road safety challenges and contribute to global efforts to meet the United Nations' 2030 target. Additionally, this framework's robust communication and data processing capabilities can be extended to eHealth monitoring systems, enabling real-time health data transmission and processing for continuous patient monitoring and timely medical interventions. This paper's contributions include exploring AI-driven approaches for enhanced data interaction, improved safety in VANET-based ITS environments, and potential applications in eHealth monitoring.

Features of Carbon Regulation in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation: Comparative Analysis and Trends

The article reviews international acts in the field of combating climate change (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement), identifies the main trends in the field of carbon regulation: emissions quoting; implementation of climate projects; introduction of greenhouse gas reporting and expansion of the legislative framework. A comparative analysis of the national legislation in force in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation is carried out, its conditional classification is considered with the allocation of carbon regulation instruments being applied, viz. the market ones, the restrictive ones, the supporting ones and the auxiliary ones. The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions should include a wide range of activities and cannot be reduced solely to restrictive instruments. Market instruments include the national emissions trading system, international voluntary markets and instruments of international cooperation, while restrictive instruments include the introduction of carbon taxes, quotas, and mandatory carbon reporting. Among the examples of supporting instruments subsidies, targeted financing and tax preferences, as well as information policy may be noted. Auxiliary instruments include methodologies for quantitative assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and uptake, carbon reporting standards and tools for verification of reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, legislated possibility of implementing climate projects. The normative national regulation regarding the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions is considered, the categories of emission sources and greenhouse gases whose emissions are subject to accounting are identified. It is important to note that the legislation on greenhouse gases in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, as well as around the world, has not been finalized and is in the process of formation.

‘Is it a positive or a negative?’ Children’s participation in discharge of care order proceedings

ABSTRACT This paper explores the involvement of children in discharge of care order proceedings and the tensions children’s social workers, guardians and other stakeholders may face when aiming to both uphold children’s rights to participate and their right to protection from harm. Using Lundy's [2007. ‘Voice’ is not enough: Conceptualising Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. British Educational Research Journal, 33(6), 927–942] model of participation, and drawing on qualitative interviews and a focus group with 41 family justice professionals and data from 209 electronic records relating to 327 children, this paper explores the extent to which children are given space, voice, audience and influence within discharge proceedings. In principle, professionals were supportive of children’s participation. The reality was more complex, with only a minority of children consulted about discharge proceedings and professionals inferring their views in many situations, for fear of causing further distress or traumatisation. The findings from the study suggest that a fifth concept, impact, should be included within Lundy’s model, whereby the potential impact of participation on children’s wellbeing is considered alongside space, voice, audience and influence.

Ukrainian refugees in Romania: perception and social challenges.

Millions of people from Ukraine have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety, protection, and assistance owing to armed conflict. This study aims to draw a parallel between the meaning and importance of the initial impact of Russian military aggression in February 2022 and the recent plight of Ukrainian refugees on Romania's territory. It is based on the results of a dedicated thematic survey of Ukrainian refugees as part of fieldwork carried out by the authors between March and April 2022 and a survey launched by the United Nations Refugee Agency in Romania between October 2022 and August 2023. The study emphasises the importance of raising awareness and building solidarity and support to counterbalance the effects of the crisis with respect to: (i) refugees in their hometowns and losses incurred; (ii) refugees' needs, help provided, and expectations; (iii) the need to integrate refugees into different fields of daily life; and (iv) a return to Ukraine.

Formation of the international legal framework in ensuring economic security: the contribution of international organisations

Introduction: The article offers a concise overview of international organisations as collaborative partnerships among states with defined objectives while also analysing the underlying motivations for their establishment.Objective: This article explores the roles and distinctive characteristics of major global institutions, including the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Council of Europe (CoE), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and World Trade Organization (WTO).Methods: The study employs diverse investigative methodologies, including thorough literature reviews and statistical analyses, to examine core concepts such as "legal order", "international legal order", "international security", and "global security".Results: It takes a historical perspective to trace the evolution of international organisations and utilises generalisation and diagnostic techniques to offer practical recommendations and reach conclusions. The article differentiates between "international security?" and "global security", underscoring the latter’s broader scope. Furthermore, it underscores the pivotal role of the United Nations (UN) in safeguarding global peace, fostering amicable ties among nations, advancing international collaboration, and acting as a forum for coordinating various national endeavours.Conclusions: International organisations, spearheaded by the United Nations (UN), are pivotal in upholding the international legal framework and safeguarding global security in the face of ever-evolving challenges and threats

Decision-making frameworks for assessment of small-scale off-grid photovoltaic home system-based design concepts in rural context of north-east India

Energy security plays an influential role in developing sustainable cities and promoting a better quality of life for the population. The United Nations' sustainable development goal focuses on energy security. Against the backdrop of India's energy concerns in the northeastern region, the study investigates the user-centric challenges related to the designs of solar photovoltaic home system concepts to facilitate access to energy. This is followed by the proposal of design concepts for solar photovoltaic home systems that take due cognizance of the identified challenges. To facilitate determining the optimal design concept in the context of small-scale off-grid photovoltaic home systems the paper proposes and applies an extended TOmada de Decisao Interativa Multicriteria (TODIM) methodology wherein the linguistic evaluations have been modelled using T-Spherical fuzzy sets. The information was aggregated using T-Spherical Fuzzy Aczel-Alsina Hammy Mean and T-Spherical Fuzzy Aczel-Alsina Weighted Hammy Mean operators. Ten design concepts were developed and evaluated through the proposed decision-making frameworks. Five performance metrics arising out of the field study: Functionality, Reliability, Affordability, Novelty and Usability have been chosen to appraise the conceptualized design concepts. Design concept 3 has been revealed to be the optimal design concept for the application of the proposed approach. Sensitivity analysis of the ranking results revealed that although both the proposed methodologies are robust, the methodology based on T-Spherical fuzzy Aczel-Alsina Weighted Hammy Mean operator was revealed to be the superior of the two. By presenting an effective method to address the complexities in design assessment for off-grid PV systems, this research offers practical insights to guide context-specific design in the region.

Investigating the Interrelationship between the Desire for a Cohesive Community and Opioid Abuse: A Neuropsychological Study of Demon Copperhead

Abstract Foregrounding the increasing global crisis of opioids as the “leading cause of deaths in fatal overdoses,” the World Drug Report 2023, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), mentioned that in 2021 more than 80,000 people died due to opioid overdose in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national public health protection agency in the United States, has reported that “the predicted number of drug overdose deaths showed an increase of 0.5% from the 12 months ending in December 2021 to the 12 months ending in December 2022, from 109,179 to 179,680” (“Provisional Data”). Although the trajectory of opioid use disorders (OUDs) has affected different sociodemographic groups in the country since its first wave in the 1990s, teenagers in poverty-stricken rural areas are more vulnerable to such addiction (Keyes et al.). Poor parental guidance, impoverishment, troubled childhoods, detrimental familial structure, scarce opportunities, and accessibility to opioids are often considered to be the primary risk factors for unprivileged teenagers to develop a psychic reliance on opioids for engendering a perpetual sense of contentment. According to the incentive sensitization theory, the persistent desire to transcend physical and psychical limitations for a sense of relief, triggered by chronic drug misuse, often evokes a sense of “wanting” or incentive salience, a compulsive inclination towards drug-associated stimuli (Berridge and Robinson, “Drug Addiction” 22). This intense desire of “wanting” often generates a perpetual sensitization of the mesolimbic systems in the brain which is also activated by mental representations of drug-associated cues (Robinson and Berridge 3139). Focusing on drug-induced changes in the brain such as hypersensitization and neuroadaptation, this study analyzes Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, a modern reimagining of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. The selected text addresses primarily some pertinent socio-political crises, such as the poor foster care system, poverty, and the engrossing opioid endemic in Southern Appalachia. However, this study attempts to analyze the precarious state of some characters, who become addicted to opioids seeking recognition from peer groups and perpetual psychic stability, in the selected text from a neuropsychological perspective.

Cyprus and Africa in the Makarios Era: Igniting the ‘Hot’ Solidarity Against Western Imperialism

ABSTRACT This paper examines a relatively understudied topic in the literature of Cypriot political history, namely the relations between Cyprus and African countries during the Makarios era. Drawing upon the official archives of the UN, USA, UK, and the Republic of Cyprus (specifically the Press and Information Office, PIO, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MFA), as well as Cypriot newspapers, this research is grounded in historical analysis. The main findings of the paper suggest that Makarios perceived the Zurich-London status quo in Cyprus as contrary to principles such as self-determination, democracy, independence, and sovereignty, prompting him to engage in an international struggle for change. Makarios’s attitudes towards Cyprus aligned with African countries’ collective struggle under frameworks such as AAPSO, the Non-Aligned Movement, and G-77, both for themselves and the rest of the world. In various international forums, notably the United Nations, Cyprus and African nations provided mutual support against Western imperialism. Their collaboration extended beyond the Cyprus Problem to encompass the rights of people struggling for independence against colonialism all around the world and those seeking democracy in the face of racist regimes in Southern Rhodesia and South Africa.

Elucidating flow-directed 98% CO2 absorption using millimeter-sized coiled flow inverters: Nanocellulose-aided sustainable scope

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations drive the global efforts to discover a sustainable carbon capture method for the reduction of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Concentrated alkanolamine solutions are being used as CO2 capture mediums for batch processes amid several disadvantages, such as energy intensiveness and poor efficiency. In this work, millimeter-sized coiled flow inverters (CFI) have been explored as a point-source CO2 capture tool for highly efficient, continuous operations. Solvent and CO2 gas flow rates are found to dictate the slug flow regime and, more specfically, slug lengths. High interfacial area and residence time remain the driving factors for enhanced CO2 capture using CFI. About 98% CO2 absorption efficiency has been achieved for 3% aqueous diethanolamine solution in CFI . The efficacy of nanocellulose, a sustainable nanomaterial has been unearthed for CO2 capture at low flow rate.