Engineering Commons^™

Health Impacts From Pm2.5 Exposure Using Environmental Epidemiology And Health Risk Assessment: A Review, Thanakon Sukuman, Kayo Ueda, Sarunya Sujaritpong, Hirunwut Praekunatham, Kornwipa Punnasiri, Tuangsit Wimuktayon, Trakarn Prapaspongsa

Applied Environmental Research

Exposure to PM2.5 has been known to cause a variety of serious health consequences. Quantifying and investigating the health effects of PM2.5 pollution are imperative to understand and collect scientific evidence for supporting policies and associated actions. In this paper, we reviewed published environ-mental epidemiological studies and health risk assessments evaluating the health impacts of PM2.5 exposure in the PubMed database to identify the attributes of each method and aggregate the health impact results to perform analyses and summaries. Forty-two studies were identified after applying our search strategy, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. The epidemiological studies found an increased risk of …

Distribution Of Exchangeable Magnesium In Lowland Rice-Cultivated Soils Of Sri Lanka As Affected By The Differences In Climate, Soil, And Water Source, Indeera Hetti Arachchige, Buddhi Marambe, Mohomad Nijamudeen, Harsha Kadupitiya, Dinaratne Sirisena, Rohana Chandrajith, Lalith Suriyagoda

Applied Environmental Research

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential macronutrient for plants. Even though Sri Lankans consume rice as the staple food, the Mg status in Sri Lankan paddy soils as affected by its climate, soils, and water sources used are not well understood. This study was conducted to (i) determine the distribution of exchangeable Mg (ex-Mg) concentration, and (ii) examine the interactive effects of agro-climatic zones (ACZs), soil order, and water source in determining the ex-Mg concentra-tion in lowland paddy fields of Sri Lanka. A total of 9,038 soil samples representing six ACZs, six soil orders, and three water sources were collected using …

Context-Dependent Data-Envelopment-Analysis-Based Efficiency Evaluation Of Coastal Ports In China Based On Social Network Analysis, Yu Yu, Dai-Peng Ma, Guo-Ya Gan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

An emerging trend in performance evaluation is combining social network analysis methods with data envelopment analysis (DEA) models and using network centrality methods to distinguish DEA results. One study employed an input-oriented variable-returns-to-scale DEA model to address referent decision-making units and the corresponding lambda values to construct a network. This study referenced the literature and improved on the use of DEA weight sets to construct a network. We employed a context-dependent DEA model to delineate multiple effective frontier planes, aggregate the reference set relationships on each frontier plane to construct a network relationship matrix, and assess the influences of the …

Closing The Modern Irish Municipal Wastewater Phosphorus Cycle, Ciaran O’Donnell

Theses

Phosphorus (P) is an essential life-supporting nutrient for which there is no substitute. P naturally cycles within nature. Modern farming practice and food production have altered the natural P cycle. Successive crop harvests remove P from the soil as crops and transport them to urban areas to feed the population. To replace P removed from the soil through these crop harvests, mineral P fertilisers are applied to the soil to sustain crop production. Mineral P fertilisers are derived from finite phosphate rock. The European Union does not have an indigenous supply of phosphorus rock, which poses a significant issue for …

Influence Of Tidal Current On Heavy Metal Dynamics In The Chao Phraya River Estuary, Kansiri Silrat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Chao Phraya River estuary, a vital ecological and economic region in Thailand, faces significant contamination challenges due to anthropogenic activities. This study aims to investigate the influence of tidal currents on the dynamics of heavy metals (HMs) in the estuarine ecosystem, focusing on cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). A sampling was conducted over two tidal periods on April 29-30, 2021, including both surface and vertical water samples and surface sediment collected at multiple tidal currents. The results reveal notable variations in HMs concentrations influenced by tidal cycles. For water samples, cadmium concentrations ranged …

Unveiling Similarities And Differences Between Cutaneous And Ocular Melanomas, Abdallah Badou, Nour El Imane Issam Salah, Mohamed Elbelhadji

Health Sciences

Melanomas are outstandingly aggressive cancers, still their incidence is increasing. They can occur in the skin as cutaneous melanoma or in the eye as ocular melanoma. Their pathogenesis is generally similar; however, the prognosis of ocular melanoma patients is still poor, due to its special genetic profile and tumor microenvironment. Here we review the similarities and differences between cutaneous and ocular melanoma, with a focus on their prognostic significance, their molecular signature, and their tumor microenvironment, in order to understand the strategies adopted to escape immune response. Gathering and understanding available knowledge of melanomas and their specificities may help to …

The Development Of Dark Hyperspectral Absolute Calibration Model Using Extended Pseudo Invariant Calibration Sites At A Global Scale: Dark Epics-Global, Padam Bahadur Karki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to develop a novel dark hyperspectral absolute calibration (DAHAC) model using stable dark targets of "Global Cluster - 36" (GC-36), one of the clusters from "300 Class Global Classification." The stable dark sites were identified from GC-36 called "Dark EPICS-Global" covering the surface types viz; dark rock, volcanic area, and dark sand. The Dark EPICS-Global shows a temporal variation of 0.02 unit reflectance. This work uses the Landsat-8 (L8) Operational Land Imager (OLI) , Sentinel-2A (S2A) Multispectral Instrument (MSI) , and Earth Observing One (EO-1) Hyperion data for the DAHAC model development, where well-calibrated L8 and S2A …

A Type-2 Fuzzy Rule-Based Model For Diagnosis Of Covid-19, İhsan Şahi̇n, Erhan Akdoğan, Mehmet Emi̇n Aktan

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this study, a type-2 fuzzy logic-based decision support system comprising clinical examination and blood test results that health professionals can use in addition to existing methods in the diagnosis of COVID-19 has been developed. The developed system consists of three fuzzy units. The first fuzzy unit produces COVID-19 positivity as a percentage according to the respiratory rate, loss of smell, and body temperature values, and the second fuzzy unit according to the C-reactive protein, lymphocyte, and D-dimer values obtained as a result of the blood tests. In the third fuzzy unit, the COVID-19 positivity risks according to the clinical …

Transmission Network Planning For Realistic Egyptian Systems Via Encircling Prey Based Algorithms, Abdullah M. Shaheen, Ragab Elsehiemy, Mohammed Kharrich, Salah Kamel

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Transmission network planning problem (TNPP) is one of the pertinent issues of the planning activities in power systems. It aims to optimally pick out the routs, types, and number of the new installed lines to confront the expected future loading conditions. In this line, this study proposes a new economic model to the TNPP. The aim of the model is to find the optimal transmission routes at least investment and operating costs. Three recent algorithms called grey wolf optimization algorithm (GWOA), spotted hyena optimization algorithm (SHOA) and whale optimization algorithm (WOA) are developed to solve the TNPP. The concept of …

Liquid Waste Treatment For Sustainable Tapioca Industry: A Comparison Between Biogas And Liquid Sugar, Lilik Sulistyowati, Novi Andareswari, Rifqi Rahmat Hidayatullah, Nurul Amri Komarudin, Yuni Yolanda

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

There have been many studies examining the processing of tapioca wastewater. However, most studies have only researched at a laboratory scale without considering whether the treatment is appropriate. The study's purpose is to compare the processing technology of biogas and liquid sugar using technical, environmental, social, and cost-benefit analysis criteria to determine the appropriate technology to be applied. Literature study, observation, and interviews were used to determine the characteristics of each criterion. Cost-benefit analysis is calculated using the R/C Ratio. Furthermore, priority determination is carried out using the Exponential Comparison Method (MPE) using assessments from environmental and industrial experts on …

Biogeography Of Functional Traits And Fire Regimes In Oak Species (Quercus) Across The United States, Ashley Selee

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis is submitted in the form of two chapters. The first chapter encompasses background research, a literature review, important information, as well as motivation for our study. This first chapter provides insight into fire ecology, functional traits, and context about Quercus. The second chapter is written as a standalone paper for submission to the journal of Global Ecology and Biogeography, thus this second chapter can be read and understood independently of the first chapter. The study of biogeography is a discipline encompassing a species distribution across varying ecosystems in space and time. Biogeography allows for the synthesis of large-scale …

Climate Change And The Law Of National Security Adaptation, Mark P. Nevitt

Faculty Articles

The Department of Defense (DoD) is the largest employer in the world, owns and operates an enormous global real estate portfolio, and emits more Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) than many nations. Entrusted with the national security, the DoD is now threatened by a new enemy—climate change. Climate change imperils national security infrastructure while undermining the military’s capacity to respond to climate-driven disasters at home and abroad. However, legal scholarship has yet to address what I call “the law of national security adaptation” and related questions. For example, how do environmental and climate change laws apply to the U.S. military? What laws …

Evaluation Of Recreational Surface Water Quality According To Water Quality Index And Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Of Noroviruses And Sars-Cov-2, Parichart Soisoongnern

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Outbreak of waterborne virus are the major concern worldwide. The Water Quality Index (WQI) is a tool used to assess water quality for related activities. However, its suitability for assessing risks associated with waterborne pathogens remains questionable. This study aims to identify potential limitations and gaps in the WQI, especially in the context of risks from waterborne pathogens. The WQI of Maha Sawat Canal (MSC), Thailand was evaluated during both wet and dry seasons. The results were then integrated with the quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) methodology for norovirus GI (NoV GI) and SARS-CoV-2. The results have shown that NoV …

Correlation Between Virus Reduction And Trihalomethanes Risk After Chlorine Disinfection, Waraporn Khantong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

While wastewater disinfection is essential to mitigate the threats from waterborne pathogens, there arises a potential risk from disinfection byproducts. Striking a balance between achieving microbial reduction and managing the occurrence of disinfection byproducts is crucial for maintaining both microbial and chemical risks at acceptable levels. The cancer risk assessment was based on THMs through of oral ingestions, inhalation absorptions, and dermal absorptions exposure. This study aims to investigate the relationship between virus reduction and THMs formation, and to assess their respective cancer risk levels post-chlorination, and determined treatment process was used to decreased cancer risk post-chlorination. Effluent wastewater was …

A Computational Mapping Of Online News Deserts On African News Websites, Dani Madrid-Morales, Joan Ramon Rodríguez‐Amat, Peggy Lindner

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To date, the study of news deserts, geographic spaces lacking local news and information, has largely focused on countries in the Global North, particularly the United States, and has predominantly been interested in the causes and consequences of the disappearance of local media outlets (e.g., newspapers and TV stations) to the social fabric of a community. In this article, we extend the concept of "news deserts" by drawing on literature on the geography of news in Africa, where information voids have long been documented but have not been studied within the conceptual framework of news deserts. Using computational tools, we …

Machine-Learning Based Stacked Ensemble Model For Accurate Multi Classification Of Cbc Anemia, Asmaa Mohamed El-Boghdady, Sherif Kishk, Mohamed M Ashour, Eman Abdelhalim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Anemia Disease (AD) is one of the most common blood problems in the world. According to the World Health Organization, it leads to lack of oxygen and red blood cells. The problem of classifying anemia is crucial in prescribing an appropriate treatment plan. Unfortunately, it is difficult to accurately diagnose the type of anemia as early as possible in order to properly treat the patient. Such a diagnosis can be complicated by the exponential increase in patient numbers, priority rules set by hospitals, and issues of access to adequate medical professionals. This paper proposes the use of a computer-based model …

Nesnet: A Deep Network For Estimating Near-Surface Pollutant Concentrations, Prasanjit Dey, Bibhash Pran Das, Yee Hui Lee, Soumyabrata Dev

Articles

Atmospheric pollution has become a serious threat in recent years. The advancements and expansion of industrial activity and civilization have been the major catalysts. With serious consequences like climate change and global warming, the onset of which is already being observed, keeping a check on atmospheric pollutant levels is now more important than ever. Trace gases play a major role in atmospheric chemistry. Many of these are also regarded as major atmospheric pollutants. The concentration of gases, such as (SO2), (O3), (NO2), etc., are indicators of air quality. Therefore, in this study, we primarily concern ourselves with concentrations of NO2, …

Batch And Fixed-Bed Adsorption Of Ciprofloxacin Using Magnetic Biochar From Macadamia Nutshell, Sakonsupa Damdib

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In this research, the utilization of macadamia nutshell as a potential adsorbent for ciprofloxacin (CIP) removal was investigated. The distinctive features of macadamia nutshell, characterized by its lignocellulosic composition and hardness, make it suitable as a precursor for synthesizing magnetic biochar, aimed at CIP adsorption in both batch and fixed-bed column processes. The influence of temperature activation and carbonization temperature on the properties of the resulting biochar was examined. Macadamia nutshell impregnated with a 0.10 M iron nitrate solution and carbonized under a nitrogen atmosphere at 800°C (MB-BI-800) exhibited the highest micropore and mesopore volumes, with values of 0.14 and …

Development Of A Hydrometallurgical Process For The Extraction Of Cobalt, Manganese, And Nickel From Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Byproduct, Alejandro Agudelo Mira

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Critical minerals (CMs) are defined as crucial elements for the country's economy due to the development of new cutting-edge applications and the risk of an eventual disruption in their supply chain. The unique chemical and physical properties of the CMs have made these elements decisive in the growth of industries such as telecommunications, army, medicine, Aerospace, etc. In 2022, the US Geological Survey established a list of 50 CMs, including manganese, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, magnesium, and others. Of the total of CMs, 26 are 100% imported from outside the United States (Venditti, 2022).

Driven by the ever-increasing demand for critical …

Wave-Powered Batch Reverse Osmosis Buoy, Austin Howse, Camden Frieling, Cooper Ford, Imaan Qazilbash, Joel Veihl, Mariya Savchenko, Ryan Vulich, Sultan Alnajdi, Abhimanyu Das, Antonio Esquivel-Puentes, Ali Naderi Beni, David M. Warsinger, José Garcia-Bravo

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

As populations grow across the world, the availability of freshwater at a reasonable cost has become a growing concern to many nations. An estimated 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water [5]. Many of these areas also exist in coastal communities which get burdened by severe weather storms. During these occasions, access to clean drinking water drastically decreases. Combining this with the potential for ocean energy, access to clean drinking water can be derived with a potential solution. The ocean contains abundant resources that comprise of untapped wave-powered energy, unharvested salt water to be turned potable, …

Oil Recovery Performance And Asphaltene Deposition Evaluation Of Miscible And Immiscible Carbon Dioxide Or Nitrogen Huff-N-Puff Processes In Shale Reservoirs, Mukhtar Elturki, Abdulmohsin Imqam, Shari Dunn-Norman, Hasan Shaglouf, Ahmed Kablan

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The utilization of gas enhanced oil recovery to extract oil from unconventional reservoirs has become a widely discussed topic, as it has proven to be effective in significantly boosting oil recovery rates. Among various enhanced oil recovery methods, Gas Enhanced Oil Recovery (GEOR) is a frequently implemented approach. However, a significant challenge encountered during the process of injecting Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) or Nitrogen (N₂) to displace oil is the occurrence of asphaltene precipitation and deposition, which can impede production. This work is an experimental study to examine the effects of cyclic (huff-n-puff) CO₂ or N …

Descriptive Systematics Of Upper Palaeocene–Lower Eocene Pollen And Spores From The Northern Niger Delta, South-Eastern Nigeria, Luke Mander, Carlos Jaramillo, Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fossil pollen and spores are a vital source of information on the geological history of tropical vegetation including reconstructions of vegetation diversity and composition. However, such work relies on a sound taxonomic framework, and this is challenging to achieve because of the large number of pollen and spore morphotypes that are encountered in palynological preparations from tropical sediments. In tropical West Africa, for example, extensive taxonomic work on Cretaceous–Paleogene pollen and spores was undertaken in the later part of the twentieth century, but more recent palynological work has focused on stratigraphy and basin evolution, and there is a need for …

Review Of The Fluid Dynamics And Heat Transport Phenomena In Packed Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactors, Rahman S. Almusafir, Ahmed A. Jasim, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Knowledge and proper safety analyses of the gas coolant and heat transport mechanism in the dynamic core of packed pebble bed nuclear reactors pose challenges to the reliable design and efficient operation of these reactors. Therefore, this paper carefully reviews most of the gas coolant mixing and heat transport studies performed for the fluid flow and heat transfer processes in packed pebble bed reactors (PBRs). It begins with a brief introduction and description of nuclear PBRs. The second section summarizes the physical characteristics of packed bed reactors in terms of the bed structure (porosity) and its radial and axial distributions. …

The Role Of Data Analytics To Address Water Stress In Africa, Khalil Beladda

ICT

Water stress, a global concern transcending geographical boundaries, significantly impacts the African continent. Affecting one in three people in Africa, sustainable water management is imperative for ecological and human welfare. This research emphasizes the pivotal role of data analytics in addressing water stress challenges in Africa and beyond.

Physico-Chemical Characterization Of Snail Shells Powder Prepared By Mechanochemical Processes And Thermal Treatment, Mostapha Karaoui, Rachid Hsissou, Mohammed Alami, Mohammed Assouag

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Natural particles are the most abundant resources exist in nature. Bio-sources of CaCO3 particles have attracted the attention of researchers for multiple cosmetics, industrial, and medical applications. This work investigates the structural evolution of CaCO3 containing in snail shell particles prepared by a mechanochemical process using methods of characterization as well as Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), Fourier transformation infra-red (FT-IR), and Scanning microscopy equipped with Energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDXS). The result obtained from the above analysis indicates that SSP calcined between 200℃ to 400℃ undergoes an elimination of water molecules, followed by a phase …

Acceptance Of Interoperable Electronic Health Record (Ehrs) Systems: A Tanzanian E-Health Perspective, Emmanuel Mbwambo, Herman Mandari

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

The study assessed factors that influence the acceptance of interoperable electronic Health Records (EHRs) Systems in Tanzania Public Hospitals. The study applied a hybrid model that combined the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE). Snowball sampling technique was applied and a total of 340 questionnaires were distributed to selected clinics, polyclinics and hospitals, of which 261 (77%) received questionnaires were considered to be valid and reliable for subsequent data analysis. IBM SPSS software version 27.0 was employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that relative advantage, compatibility, management support, organizational competency, training and education, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, …

A Graduate-Level Field Course In Irrigation And Agricultural Water Management For An Immersive Learning Experience, Derek M. Heeren, László G. Hayde, Dean Eisenhauer, Peter G. Mccornick, Ali T. Mohammed, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Alan L. Boldt, Xin Qiao, David Mabie, Francisco Muñoz-Arriola

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Effective irrigation and agricultural water management (IAWM) is critical for food security and water security. A key requirement in designing, implementing and operation of IWM is the necessary knowledge and capacity on the farm, in the service industry and within the supply chain. Educational opportunities that not only teach the relevant principles of irrigated agriculture, but also the necessary applied skills are essential. An Irrigation Field Course was initiated by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (IHE Delft) and was later developed as a joint field course with IHE Delft, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and the Daugherty Water …

Comparative Analytics On Chilli Plant Disease Using Machine Learning Techniques, Sai Abhishta Roy Seelam

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis concerns the detection of diseases in chilli plants using machine learning techniques. Three algorithms, viz., Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and their variants have been employed. Chilli-producing countries, India, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Spain, the United States, and Turkey. India has the world’s largest chilli production of about 49% (according to 2020). Andhra Pradesh (Guntur) is the largest market in India, where their varieties are more popular for pungency and color. This study classifies five kinds of diseases that affect the chilli, namely, leaf spot, whitefly, yellowish, healthy, and leaf curl. A …

New Online Approach For Real-Time Precise Point Positioning Gnss Processing, Maha Fekry Elrewiny, Fawzi H. Zarzoura, Mahmoud El-Mewafi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Real-time precise point positioning (PPP) is a promising technique for accurate position services. The merging of many systems is intended to increase real-time PPP performance. With a rising number of available satellites and progressively increased quality of real-time accurate products of satellite clocks and orbits, Platforms such as CSRS-PPP, AUSPOS, Magic-GNSS, Trimble, and PPP-MANS are reshaping the landscape of embedded solutions in a variety of sectors. the performance of real-time PPP must be tested on a regular basis. This article examines the benefits and drawbacks of real-time PPP, emphasizing its potential for high accuracy, fast decision-making, and easy interaction with …

Lidar Remote Sensing Of Aerosol And Ozone Profiles And Application To Air Quality Studies In New York City Area, Dingdong Li

Dissertations and Theses

Ozone (O₃) and PM2.5 (Particulate Matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm) are the main pollutants in New York City (NYC) due to high levels of anthropogenic emissions, complex urban meteorology, and regional transport. However, vertical distribution observations are still lacking. This thesis utilizes lidar remote sensing techniques to retrieve the vertical distribution of O₃ and aerosols and study air pollution episodes in the NYC metropolitan area.

The thesis includes three parts. The first part analyzes continuous ceilometer observations of aerosols and atmospheric mixed-layer height (ML). We investigate the vertical, diurnal, and seasonal characteristics of the …