Enhancing sustainable solid waste management through separate source collection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Municipal solid waste emerges as a pressing concern for environmental management and sustainability, particularly in urban areas with high rates of population growth and limited infrastructure. This study aims to assess the outputs and benefits of a separate source collection system, which separates recyclable materials at their point of origin. The study highlights the consequences of separate source collection on the community''s economic, environmental and social context. The study forms part of a project that intends to upscale sustainable and efficient waste management approaches in a transition towards a circular economy model that utilizes and recycles waste and materials. The objectives encompass addressing urban challenges and providing key insights for environmental management and sustainability through separate source collection systems that improve efficiency, reduce cost and encourage sustainable community practices.METHODS: The study was implemented in the Al-Radwan neighborhood in Amman, Jordan, and included 8,460 individuals and 3,124 households. Data on waste generation from residential and commercial activities were analyzed and used to design the separate source collection system, which included public awareness campaigns for individuals in the study area, waste composition investigations and maps for routes of waste collection trucks. Yellow and grey bins were used to collect recyclable and residual waste, respectively. Data on waste amount and composition were collected and interpreted for the 2020-2023 period. Data on fuel consumption, maintenance and depreciation were used to calculate the operational costs of separate source collection and the old system of municipal solid waste collection. Ground data were analyzed in terms of the individual''s and households'' adoption of waste-sorting practices. An overall assessment was carried out for the economic benefit of separate source collection.FINDINGS: Analyses of waste generation in the study area showed that the average quantity of municipal waste was 0.89 kilogram per capita per day, and there is a trend that shows an increase in municipal solid waste quantities with respect to time. A significant amount of municipal solid waste (60 percent) has an organic composition, while recyclable waste constitutes about 12.5 percent of the total municipal solid waste. The study was a success, with a consistent increase in recyclable waste collection at 59 percent average purity and a 30 percent decrease in total yearly waste collection costs. The project contributed to job creation and improved community participation in municipal solid waste management. The beneficial impacts of awareness campaigns were the low level of required maintenance with respect to the separate source collection system and the high level of public participation and cooperation, particularly in municipal solid waste sorting.CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the importance and effectiveness of the innovative separate source collection system and showed its economic and social benefits while considering its positive environmental impacts. The findings confirmed the system''s economic viability and applicability, showing its potential for large-scale adoption in Jordan. The adoption and implementation of separate source collection will be highly emphasized as it will be needed for solving issues associated with municipal solid waste via creative solutions that promote sustainability and community well-being

The Degree of Using Technology Tools by Adolescent and Its Effect on Them from Parents’ Point of View

This study aimed at investigating the degree of using technology tools by adolescent and its effect on them from their parent point of view, the study sample consisted from (370) parent whom were chosen by simple random way, a questionnaire was used consisting of four dimension. After assuring its reliability and validity it was conducted on the study sample, results showed that the degree of using technology tools by adolescent from their parent point of view was high, Results showed no statistically significant differences attributed to parent gender or scientific qualification in their estimation of using technology tools by adolescent. Finally the study recommended watching adolescent while using technology tools and determining time for using technology tools.</jats:p

Comprehensive Genotypic, Phenotypic, and Biochemical Characterization of GOT2 Deficiency: A Progressive Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Epilepsy and Abnormal Movements

Purpose: Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), also known as aspartate aminotransferase, catalyzes the reversible transamination of oxaloacetate and glutamate to aspartate and α-ketoglutarate. Two isoforms, cytosolic (GOT1) and mitochondrial (GOT2), are integral to the malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS), a key regulator of intracellular redox homeostasis. Recently, five patients with biallelic variants in GOT2 were described, presenting with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. // Methods: We report 11 additional patients with homozygous GOT2 variants, along with additional data from 4 previously reported patients. Through genetic, clinical and biochemical analyses, we further characterize the phenotypic spectrum of GOT2 deficiency. // Results: Most patients exhibited progressive neurodevelopmental delay, severe to profound intellectual disability, infantile epilepsy, progressive microcephaly, and hypotonia evolving into spasticity with axial hypotonia. Dysmorphic features included narrow foreheads, broad nasal tips, and tall or pointed chins. Neuroimaging revealed two severity groups based on cerebral volume loss and myelination defects. Thinning of the corpus callosum and white matter abnormalities were common. Biochemical profiling identified low aspartate and high glycerol-3-phosphate in dried blood spots as potential screening markers. Patient fibroblast cells showed reduced serine and glycine biosynthesis, rescuable by pyruvate supplementation. // Conclusion: These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of GOT2 deficiency, establish it as a cause of DEE, and propose novel biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries.

AbstractBackground:&nbsp;Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods:&nbsp;This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results:&nbsp;A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 per cent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 per cent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 per cent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle- compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion:&nbsp;Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761).</div

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide. Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters. Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 per cent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien–Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 per cent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 per cent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle- compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries. Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)