Persistence and Bioaccumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Soil and Aquatic Ecosystems: Syrian Frontiers in Ecology and Environment

In Syria, there are no effective chemicals management programmes including any estimation and assessment programmes to screen organic chemicals for bioaccumulation potential from regulatory and resource implications are conducted yet. An important issue of excessive organic hazardous substances exposure of inhabitants living in Barada basin (Southwest) was not investigated. Among these danger substances, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have specific properties make them possible linger in soil and water for so many years. Considering the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and enabling activities for the Stockholm convention on POPs related to the national implementation plan for Syria, the current paper presents the results of the analysis of the persistence of chemicals in surface water and ground water samples gathered from different locations in this basin. The study was conducted in 2007-2008, the biodegradability under laboratory and filed conditions were assessed, half?lives of priority pollutants were predicted, and data were monitored and compared. The level of POPs in a larger percentage of the samples exceeded guidelines which results a call for additional protective measures for a sustainable water management for producing clean water involving reduction strategies to mitigate the POPs concentrations in the indoor environment of Barada, and safely destroy them

A Cross-Sectional Study on Demographic Characteristics, Nutritional Knowledge, and Supplement Use Patterns

Background: The indiscriminate use of dietary supplements among athletes poses significant risks, highlighting the need for awareness and education on the potential dangers associated with supplement misuse. Objective: To emphasize the importance of providing athletes with in-depth information on the risks of supplement misuse, including potential side effects, medication interactions, and the lack of regulation in supplement production. Method: This cross-sectional study employed stratified random sampling to recruit 204 athletes from Damascus, Syria. A pilot-tested online survey instrument captured demographic characteristics, athletic background, supplement use habits, and motivations. A standardized physical fitness assessment protocol evaluated cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and multivariate analysis examined relationships between physical fitness, nutritional practices, and athletic performance. Rigorous quality control measures ensured data reliability, including pilot testing, data cleaning, and strategies to minimize response bias and errors. Results: Through evidence-driven education, athletes and the general public can cultivate a discerning understanding of dietary supplements, thereby empowering informed decision-making amidst the vast and complex landscape of available products. Conclusion: The dissemination of technical information through educational campaigns is crucial in fostering a culture of informed decision-making within the sports community. By integrating evidence-based research with practical guidance, governmental and non-governmental organizations can empower individuals with the critical competencies required to make informed decisions about dietary supplement use in sports, ultimately promoting safe and effective athletic performance

Advanced ultra-light multifunctional metallic-glass wave springs

We show that, using thermo -elastic processing, metallic -glass foils can be shaped, without being embrittled, into linear and annular wave springs. These springs exhibit an undulatory behaviour, unique to metallic -glass foils, in which under compression the number of arcs in the spring increases, increasing the load -bearing capacity and the spring constant. We evaluate the performance limits of the metallic -glass wave springs, and consider how the undulatory behaviour can be exploited. The metallic -glass springs can operate over the same load -ranges as commercially available crystalline wave springs, but have material volumes (and therefore weights) that are one to two orders of magnitude less. Their energy storage per unit material volume is as high as 2600 kJ m – 3 . We suggest that the undulatory behaviour is important in rendering the springs fail -safe in case of overload. We discuss the range of applicability of thermo -elastic processing, the likely working limit of metallic -glass wave springs, and the potential for application of metallic -glass springs in MEMS devices

Advanced ultra-light multifunctional metallic-glass wave springs

We show that, using thermo-elastic processing, metallic-glass foils can be shaped, without being embrittled, into linear and annular wave springs. These springs exhibit an undulatory behaviour, unique to metallic-glass foils, in which under compression the number of arcs in the spring increases, increasing the load-bearing capacity and the spring constant. We evaluate the performance limits of the metallic-glass wave springs, and consider how the undulatory behaviour can be exploited. The metallic-glass springs can operate over the same load-ranges as commercially available crystalline wave springs, but have material volumes (and therefore weights) that are one to two orders of magnitude less. Their energy storage per unit material volume is as high as 2600 kJ m−3. We suggest that the undulatory behaviour is important in rendering the springs fail-safe in case of overload. We discuss the range of applicability of thermo-elastic processing, the likely working limit of metallic-glass wave springs, and the potential for application of metallic-glass springs in MEMS devices

Barriers to smart waste management for a circular economy in China

Waste management requires a new vision and drastic improvements for a transition to a zero-waste circular economy. In reality, however, many economies are producing more and more waste, which poses a serious challenge to environmental sustainability. The problem is enormously complex as it involves a variety of stakeholders, demands behavioral changes, and requires a complete rethinking of the current waste management systems and the dominant linear economic model. Smart enabling technologies can aid in a transformation of waste management toward a circular economy, but many barriers persist. This study first shortlists twelve important barriers to smart waste management in China based on interviews with experienced practitioners. It then prioritizes these barriers through a scientific prioritization technique, fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), based on the survey data from three representative stakeholders. It identified three key causal barriers: the lack of regulatory pressures, the lack of environmental education and culture of environmental protection, and the lack of market pressures and demands. Practical and theoretical implications were discussed based on the research results and findings

Propriétés mécaniques des verres métalliques. Mise en forme et applications

This thesis features the two modes of deformation of metallic glasses produced under different forms (bulk, ribbons and particles). Inhomogeneous deformation in bulk samples is studied by scanning electron microscopy. Heat generated by elastic energy release during deformation is responsible for the melting observed in shear bands, and calculations using an analytical model of the temperature profile around a band are consistent with morphological observations and reports of appearance of nano-crystals in or next to deformed areas. Shaping by annealing glassy ribbons was carried out. The study presents successful shaping without embrittlement of ribbons of different metal-metal and metal-metalloid compositions of glassy systems. A heat treatment process is suggested for redistribution of applied stresses before the intervention of thermal embrittlement. A joint patent for exploiting the findings has been filed with a major producer of mechanical watches. Development of new strong and light composite materials by dispersing glassy particles in aluminum and magnesium based matrices is presented and significant improvement in mechanical properties is obtained.Ce travail de thèse considère les modes de déformations des verres métalliques produits sous différentes formes (verres massifs, rubans et particules). La déformation hétérogène dans des échantillons massifs de verres métalliques à base de zirconium est étudiée par microscopie électronique à balayage. Le dégagement rapide de l'énergie élastique stockée sous forme de chaleur lors de la déformation est responsable de la fusion locale observée dans les bandes de cisaillement. Le calcul du profil de température autour d'une bande par un modèle analytique est cohérent avec les observations morphologiques et les rapports d'apparition de nano-cristaux dans la zone déformée. La mise en forme par recuit des rubans de verres métalliques a été étudiée. L'étude aboutit à la mise en forme sans fragilisation des rubans appartenant à différentes compositions de systèmes d'alliages dit métal-métal et métal-métalloïde. Un processus de traitement thermique est suggéré pour assurer la redistribution des contraintes imposées avant l'intervention de la fragilité thermique. Un brevet industriel basé sur ces résultats a été conjointement déposé avec un grand fabriquant de montres mécaniques. De nouveaux matériaux composites d'alliages légers commerciaux à base de Mg et d'Al renforcés par des dispersions de particules de verres métalliques ont été réalisés sans porosité. Une amélioration très nette des propriétés mécaniques est obtenue

Data of thematic analysis of farmer׳s use behavior of recycled industrial wastewater

Farmers are concerned in the chemical supply chain (manufacturers, vendors, workers, and consumers) of the agricultural products through their understandings of the safety information (i.e. reading labels such as skull and crossbones symbols, volatile organic compound logo or the fish and tree symbol) and the factors influence misuse of irrigation and disposal behavior. Having recognized a methodological gap, this contribution was intended to investigate qualitatively (textural analysis) the determinants of the use behavior (UB) of farmers irrigating their lands by the recycled industrial wastewater (RIWW) (Aljerf, 2018) [1] using the exploratory investigation based on the single embedded case design. Such combined analytical methods enabled us to achieve both detailed insights into perceptions, behaviors, and an objective understanding of the prevailing opinions that occurred within and between the focus farmers group׳ discussions related around awareness, trust, access and disposal actions within the supply chain. Using the snowball sampling approach, verbal data were collected from 55 Syrian farmers. 5 × 11,000 US gallons (43,900 L) of the RIWW were delivered to each farmer upon request between May and October 2017. After a month of each distribution, the participant farmer was interviewed. To increase the validity of the data, method triangulation was implemented which encompassed participant observation, group debates, and unstructured interviews. The hermeneutic units were analyzed using the pattern-matching method in the Atlas.ti software (version 6.0.15) and the grounded concepts (determinants) were investigated to establish the hypothetical framework at three levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional. Keywords: Thematic analysis, Industrial wastewater, Snowball sampling, Behavioral models, National health services, Green practice