Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Relationship And Effect Of Air Pollution [Pm 2.5] On Child Respiratory Illness And Child Mortality In The Philippines, Roel F. Ceballos, Rachell C. Gallano, Lenard D. Visaya

Applied Environmental Research

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can seriously impact human health and the environment. Among the air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5, being a microscopic particle, poses serious health risks since it can enter the blood circulation and go deep into the lungs. PM 2.5 has been linked to several health problems, such as early mortality, problems with children's development, and unfavorable birth outcomes. In this regard, the study aims to investigate the relationship and effect of PM 2.5 on child respi-ratory illness and child mortality in the Philippines. Data on child respiratory …

Assessing The Short- And Long-Term Health Effects Of Nitrogen Dioxide In Agadir, Morocco: A Who Airq+ Model Application, Youssef Bouchriti, Mohamed Ait Haddou, Abderrahmane Achbani, Amal Korrida, Hasnaa Sine, Jamila Rida, Mohamed Boukrim, Belkacem Kabbachi

Applied Environmental Research

Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of acute and chronic diseases. This study used the WHO AirQ model to assess both the short- and long-term impacts of NO2 on human health in the city of Agadir in Morocco. The mean NO2 values were obtained from measurements taken at two locations. This study assessed the long- term health effects of NO2 on natural all-cause mortality (LT-ACM), mortality due to respiratory diseases (LT-RD), and morbidity due to chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease (LT-COPD), as well as the short-term health impacts of NO2 on natural all-cause …

Junkshops As Recycling Chain Actors In The Recovery Of Waste Resources From A Highly Urbanized City In The Philippines, Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Mary O’ T. Mary O’ T. Penetrante, Neil G. Ravena

Applied Environmental Research

This study was performed in order to identify the role and work mechanism of the 33 junkshops in the recovery of valuable recyclable materials for further processing by the next level hierarchy of recycling chain actors in Iloilo City, Philippines. Results revealed that more than 65% of the junkshops operate at 7 to 8 hours per day, hire 1 to 4 male workers, operate at an area of 50 to 1000 m2 with structures made of light materials, and with a capital outlay of 

Life Cycle Comparative Assessment Of Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) Plastic Bottles: A Case Study Of Drinking Bottled Water In Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand, Anuchan Panaksri, Nuankanya Sathirapongsasuti, Cha-Re Thangto, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Pornchai Rachtanapun, Cholrit Luangjinda, Chairat Mekkaew, Phanom Suha, Nuntachai Thongpance, Sani Boonyagul, Nuttapol Tanadchangsaeng

Applied Environmental Research

In the current context where all sectors aim to promote sustainable development, hospitals, as large organizations with significant human interactions, face challenges in managing not only medical waste but also general waste such as water bottles. Improper management of these wastes can lead to environmental problems and high disposal costs. This study performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of regular (petroleum-based) and alternative (bio-based) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles used in Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand, to identify effective strategies for mitigating environmental impacts. The assessment was divided into three scenarios: label-free bottles, bio-based bottles, and 100% recycling. The results indicate that using …

Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Land Surface Temperature, Urban Heat Island, And Potential Heat Stress Risk Areas Assessment For Tropical Inland City And Coastal City In Thailand, Thar Htet Aung, Sakpod Tongleamnak, Rasamee Suwanwerakamtorn

Applied Environmental Research

Global warming and rapid urban growth, compounded by the urban heat island (UHI) effect, are posing substantial challenges for urban populations and ecological well-being due to increased heat stress risks. This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of land surface temperature (LST), UHI, and potential heat stress risk areas (PHSRA) in two distinct cities, an inland city, Nakhon Ratchasima, and a coastal city, Si Racha, during the summer. Geoinformatics techniques and Crichton’s Risk Triangle method were employed, using updated demographic data and Sentinel-3 data from 2017 to 2022. The findings indicate that the inland city daytime average LST values …

Using Neural Networks For Sustainable Land Use Prediction In Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia, Muhammad Ramdhan, Rudhy Akhwady, Taslim Arifin, Dini Purbani, Yulius -, Dino G. Pryambodo, Rinny Rahmania, Olivia Maftukhaturrizqoh, Abdul Asyiri, Syamsul Hidayat, Arya Ningsih, Sadad -

Applied Environmental Research

Agriculture is vital to Sumbawa Regency's economy, with key activities such as rice cultivation, corn production, onion farming, and cattle rearing. This study applies artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict land cover changes, focusing on agricultural land expansion. Using land cover datasets from ESRI, digital elevation model, and topographical maps, we analyzed land cover changes from 2017 to 2023 and generated future projections for 2050 with the MOLUSCE plugin in qGIS. The predictive model achieved an 85% accuracy rate when comparing 2023 actual data with predictions. Results indicate a significant increase in agricultural land cover by 2050. The key finding …

A Review On Chemometrics And Climate Change: Insights From Malaysia Case Study, Ismafatin Nabilah Ismail, Mohd Khairul Amri Kamarudin, Wan Nor Azilawanie Tun Ismail, Noorjima Abd Wahab, Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi, Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, Firdaus Mohamad Hamzah, Septi Ariadi

Applied Environmental Research

Climate change consider as main issues and concerns in Malaysia over the decade. Chemometrics techniques have been used in many climate change issues to address the limitations of climate change monitoring studies. In climate change areas, chemometrics is a valuable tool for assessing the correlation between different climate change factors, especially in vast and intricate databases. The purpose of the review was to evaluate and summarise the available data and restrictions regarding the use of chemometrics techniques in Malaysian environmental studies. The study conducted a thorough analysis of pertinent scientific papers published between 2019 to 2023 that addressed the main …

Optimizing Tenebrio Molitor Feeding Strategy To Induce Physical Degradation Of Tires: A Novel Approach For Sustainable Waste Management, Abdussalam Topandi, Khadijah Sayyidatun Nisa, Fatimah Azizah Riyadi, Ibnu Maulana Hidayatullah, Pranata -, Firah Gustianda Ayu, Reynaldi Ivan Prasetya, Frederick Soetandar, Dimas Rafi Narawangsa, Eka Rahayu

Applied Environmental Research

Due to the increased usage of tires, the accumulation of worn tires has become a significant environmental concern and necessitates environmentally friendly waste management strategies. Conventional methods, such as tire incineration or improper disposal, contribute to environmental degradation. It is reported that organisms, such as Tenebrio molitor larvae, can degrade a wide range of polymers. This study explores the promising potential of Tenebrio molitor larvae in addressing this concern. Through a series of experiments, Tenebrio molitor larvae were fed with cut-worn tires to facilitate degradation. The larvae exhibited remarkable capabilities, surviving and thriving on tires as a sole carbon source …

Screening, Isolation And Hydrocarbon Degradation Characteristics Of Yeasts From Mangrove Sediments Of Kerala, Vidya Pothayi, Sreedevi N Kutty, Sebastian Chempakassery Devasia

Applied Environmental Research

The aim of the present work was to examine the hydrocarbon degradation potential of yeasts isolated from the mangrove sediments. Mangrove sediments around the world were considered to be heavily polluted with oil contaminants and the microbes dwelling in them were believed to be highly active in metabolizing and detoxifying the oil fractions. In the present study, 70 yeast isolates were screened for their lipolytic activity qualitatively and 35 of them which showed comparatively higher lipolysis were tested for their crude oil degradation ability. Screening of hydro-carbon utilizing isolates was performed on Bushnell Haas agar media overlaid with 1% crude …

Application Of Remote Sensing In Analyzing Mangrove Forest Changes And Drivers In Mui Ca Mau National Park, Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Huyen, Le Hoang Tu, Phan Thi Ha, Nguyen Kim Duyet, Nguyen Kim Loi

Applied Environmental Research

Mangroves are vital in coastal ecology and for sustaining and securing coastal communities. However, several factors such as human activities and climate change have changed mangroves' quantity and quality. This research analyses land-use/land cover (LULC) changes focusing on mangroves in Mui Ca Mau National Park (MCMNP) from 1995-2022. Collected Landsat imagery in 1995, 2003, and 2022 were applied to perform this research. Overall accuracy and Kappa of land cover classification were 88.5% and 0.86 in 2003, and 87.6% and 0.85 in 2022, respectively. The classified results showed that the mangrove area had increased significantly from 4,316.1 hectares in 1995 to …

Establishing Optimal Machine Learning Models For Monitoring Water Quality In Vietnam’S Upper Ma River, Thanh-Son Ngo, Duc-Loc Nguyen

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to establish the optimal regression model for predicting total suspended solids (TSS) and Turbidity based on in situ data and spectral regions of Sentinel-2 images. Various machine learning models were evaluated, including Multilayer Perceptron Regression (MLPR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), AdaBoost Regression (ABR), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and K-Nearest Neighbors Regression (KNNR). These models were applied to different band combinations of spectral regions: visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR), shortwave-infrared (SWIR), VIS+NIR (VNIR), and VIS+NIR+SWIR (VNIR+SWIR). The study results revealed that the MLR model, while not the best performer during training (R2 = 0.89 for TSS and R2 = …

Ethical Decision-Making In Older Drivers During Critical Driving Situations: An Online Experiment, Amandeep Singh, Sarah Yahoodik, Yovela Murzello, Samuel Petkac, Yusuke Yamani, Siby Samuel

Psychology Faculty Publications

The present study examined the impact of aging on ethical decision-making in simulated critical driving scenarios. 204 participants from North America, grouped into two age groups (18–30 years and 65 years and above), were asked to decide whether their simulated automated vehicle should stay in or change from the current lane in scenarios mimicking the Trolley Problem. Each participant viewed a video clip rendered by the driving simulator at Old Dominion University and pressed the space-bar if they decided to intervene in the control of the simulated automated vehicle in an online experiment. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to analyze …

Identifying Accessibility Improvement Opportunities For Global Environmental Communication Websites, Alicia Mason, Josh Compton, Sakshi Bhati

Faculty Submissions

Digital environmental information presented with low web accessibility reduces parti-cipation in environmental advocacy and information seeking behaviors for many people with disabilities, creating a consequential digital divide. We use WEB AIM computer automated analysis of web accessibility to assess the general accessibility of online environmental communication messages. Results show 95.3% of the popular websites in our sample had indicators of potentially critical accessibility errors. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing digital environmental information accessibility shortcomings so that educational, informational and persuasive environ-mental messages can increase environmental literacy of vulnerable populations and help to bridge the digital divide.

Wild Sun Bears (Helarctos Malayanus) Exhibit Aseasonality In Parturition, Zachary A. David, Brian Crudge, Matt Hunt, Kirsty Officer, Vuthy Choun, Barbara Durrant, Megan A. Owen, Morokot Long, John P. Whiteman

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Seasonal reproduction can provide species with fitness advantages by allowing the birth of young to coincide with favorable environmental conditions, particularly in environments with high seasonal and intra-annual variation in these conditions. Seven of the eight species in the bear family (Ursidae) reproduce seasonally in both managed care and the wild; however, data for the eighth species, the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), is unclear. Sun bears have been observed to reproduce throughout the year in managed care, yet currently there are no clear data of birth timing for wild sun bear cubs. Here we investigate the seasonality of …

Ai And Ml-Based Risk Assessment Of Chemicals: Predicting Carcinogenic Risk From Chemical-Induced Genomic Instability, Ajay Vikram Singh, Preeti Bhardwaj, Peter Laux, Prachi Pradeep, Madleen Busse, Andreas Luch, Akihiko Hirose, Christopher J. Osgood, Michael W. Stacey

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Chemical risk assessment plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and environmental safety by evaluating the potential hazards and risks associated with chemical exposures. In recent years, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and omics technologies has revolutionized the field of chemical risk assessment, offering new insights into toxicity mechanisms, predictive modeling, and risk management strategies. This perspective review explores the synergistic potential of AI/ML and omics in deciphering clastogen-induced genomic instability for carcinogenic risk prediction. We provide an overview of key findings, challenges, and opportunities in integrating AI/ML and omics technologies for chemical risk assessment, …

Wmu Roundtable On Port Energy Transition And Stakeholders Engagement, Aykut Ölçer, Fabio Ballini, Alessandro Schönborn, Monica Canepa, Anas Alamoush, Peyman Ghaforian, Natalia Calderón

Marener Reports

Shipping is the backbone of international trade. With a contribution of more than 80 per cent of cargo by volume and 70 per cent by value, it is the most efficient mode of transportation. The vital cargo it transports includes medical supplies and equipment, as well as food, energy, raw materials, and manufactured goods. At the same time, shipping contributes to approximately 3 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that is expected to rise if no action is taken to reduce emissions. The 2023 International Maritime Organization Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions sets out …

Critically Interrogating Wolf Eradication And Management Policy Through A Settler Colonial Lens: Toward A Compassionate Future, Karen M. Winter

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This largely conceptual multi-article dissertation centers settler colonial theory in a critical interrogation of Wolf eradication and management policy (WEMP) toward the ultimate goal of dismantling injurious structures and systems that brutalize Wolf and other Indigenous animals. Wildlife policy and practice are contemporary manifestations of the long-standing historical project of settler colonialism and its quest for acquisition and ultimate control of Land. Thus, the ongoing hegemonic control of systems of wildlife management and the propensity toward lethal control are also inextricably linked to the oppression of Indigenous worldview about human relationship with the natural world. Settler colonialism, as the nexus …

Increasing Retention Of Women In Hunting And Fishing, Shelby Isensee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite national declines in hunting and fishing, women are making inroads in historically male-dominated sports. To further encourage women’s participation, states established programs to recruit, retain, and reactivate [R3] hunters and anglers. Women are participating in these programs and other recreational groups to access opportunities to learn skills and grow their networks. Yet, very little is known about what programs are offered for women, what aspects of programs are most effective to support women’s retention in these activities, and what women’s hunting and fishing groups are available across the landscape. To address these questions, I collected qualitative data from participant …

The Metaverse, Religious Practice And Wellbeing: A Narrative Review, Justin Thomas, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Fahad Albeyahi

All Works

The metaverse is touted as the next phase in the evolution of the Internet. This emerging digital ecosystem is widely conceptualized as a persistent matrix of interconnected multiuser, massively scaled online environments optimally experienced through immersive digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR). Much of the prognostication about the social implications of the metaverse center on secular activities. For example, retail, entertainment (gaming/concerts), and social networking. Little attention has been given to how the metaverse might impact religion. This narrative review explores contemporary research into online religious practice and the use of immersive digital technologies for religious purposes. This focus …

Coalescence: A Carnivore Coexistence Curriculum That Braids Indigenous & Western Ecological Knowledge Into A Relevant And Experiential Learning Opportunity For Youth, Stephanie Anne Barron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horriblis) begin to reoccupy more of their historic range, and as humans and large carnivore populations continue to increase, incidences of human carnivore conflict are on the rise. A decolonial curriculum designed in collaboration with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s wildlife biologists stands to increase awareness of Indigenous ecological knowledge and teach youth about the importance of coexistence with carnivores. Additionally, this project could greatly influence youth perceptions of grizzly bears and other large carnivores. This research project examines the development and implementation of a carnivore coexistence curriculum for youth that is guided by …

Retrogressive Document Manipulation Of Us Federal Environmental Websites, Lesley Frew, Michael L. Nelson, Michele C. Weigle

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Changes made to webpages can affect their retrievability. Often this is done with the intention of increasing the page's search engine ranking to improve overall access to information on the page. The Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) created a dataset that describes changes on US federal environmental webpages between 2016 and 2020. EDGI noted that many environmental terms were deleted from the pages, but without user data, claims that page retrievability and public information access were lowered are only anecdotal. The Open Resource for Click Analysis in Search (ORCAS) dataset was created during the same time frame, from 2017 …

Evaluating Pre-Trial Programs Using Interpretable Machine Learning Matching Algorithms For Causal Inference, Travis Seale-Carlisle, Saksham Jain, Courtney Lee, Caroline Levenson, Swathi Ramprasad, Brandon Garrett, Sudeepa Roy, Cynthia Rudin, Alexander Volfovsky

Faculty Scholarship

After a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they may be released on bail and required to participate in a community supervision program while awaiting trial. These ‘pretrial programs’ are common throughout the United States, but very little research has demonstrated their effectiveness. Researchers have emphasized the need for more rigorous program evaluation methods, which we introduce in this article. We describe a program evaluation pipeline that uses recent interpretable machine learning techniques for observational causal inference, and demonstrate these techniques in a study of a pre-trial program in Durham, North Carolina. Our findings show no evidence that …

Assessment Of Spatial Distribution Patterns And Infestation Risk Over Time Of Spotted Lanterfly (Lycorma Delicatula) In New York State, Alanna Richman

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive treehopper native to Asia. It was first introduced to Pennsylvania in 2014, and as of 2020 it has expanded to New York state. Their preferred host tree is the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but they will feed on over 173 different plants worldwide. Preferred host species in New York state include agricultural vegetation such as grape vines and fruit trees. Positive Spotted Lanternfly site data collected by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and iMapInvasives were analyzed using ArcGIS Pro to assess spatial distribution patterns. …

Sticky Charters? The Surprisingly Tepid Embrace Of Officer-Protecting Waivers In Delaware, Jens Frankenreiter, Eric L. Talley

Scholarship@WashULaw

This article investigates the reaction to a much-heralded 2022 legal reform in Delaware that permitted a corporation’s charter to exculpate its officers from monetary exposure for breaching their fiduciary duty of care. To isolate reactions to this statutory reform, we make extensive use of generative AI tools to identify and interpret charter amendments that introduce officer-facing waivers. We find a surprisingly tepid rate of uptake among Delaware corporations through the end of the first post-reform year, notwithstanding widespread predictions that corporate entities would quickly storm the exculpation exits once permitted to do so.

Our study makes two contributions to the …

Beyond Binary: Revealing Variations In Islamophobic Content With Hierarchical Multi-Class Classification, Esraa Aldreabi, Khawlah M. Harahsheh, Mukul Dev Chhangani, Chung-Hao Chen, Jeremy Blackburn

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In the digital age, the rise of Islamophobia-marked by an irrational fear or discrimination against Islam and Muslims-has emerged as a pressing issue, especially on social media platforms. In this paper we employs a multi-class classification system, moving beyond traditional binary models. We categorize Islamophobic content into three main classes and various subclasses, covering a range from subtle biases to explicit incitement. Comparative analysis of data from Reddit and Twitter illuminates the distinct prevalence and types of Islamophobic content specific to each platform. This paper deepens our understanding of digital Islamophobia and provides insights for crafting targeted online counter strategies. …

Toward Inclusivity: Rethinking Islamophobic Content Classification In The Digital Age, Esraa Aldreabi, Mukul Dev Chhangani, Khawlah M. Harahsheh, Justin M. Lee, Chung-Hao Chen

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we implement a comprehensive three-class system to categorize social media discussions about Islam and Muslims, enhancing the typical binary approach. These classes are: I) General Discourse About Islam and Muslims, II) Criticism of Islamic Teachings and Figures, and III) Comments Against Muslims. These categories are designed to balance the nuances of free speech while protecting diverse groups like Muslims, ex-Muslims, LGBTQ+ communities, and atheists. By utilizing machine learning and employing transformer-based models, we analyze the distribution and characteristics of these classes in social media content. Our findings reveal distinct patterns of user engagement with topics related to …

A Review Of Emerging Sensor Technologies For Tank Inspection: A Focus On Lidar And Hyperspectral Imaging And Their Automation And Deployment, Sergio Pallas Enguita, Chung-Hao Chen, Samuel Kovacic

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper reviews various sensor technologies for tank inspection, focusing on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) as advanced solutions for corrosion detection. These technologies are evaluated alongside traditional methods such as ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and thermographic inspections. This review highlights their potential to enhance inspection accuracy, reduce the limitations of manual inspection, and support integrated data analysis for comprehensive asset management. Additionally, this paper proposes a pathway for automating these techniques to streamline inspection processes and improve implementation in practical applications.

An Overview Of The Relationships Between The Food Industry And Nanotechnology, Mehdi Koushki, Nasrin Amiri-Dashatan, Hossein Pourghadamyari, Hadi Khodabandehloo, Fatemeh Bagheri, Masoumeh Farahani, Lobat Tayebi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Background and Objective: Due to the growth of the global population, food demands are increasing. Hence, the need to develop more efficient methods for producing better quality, safer, and more sustainable food seems essential. In the past decades, the use of nanoscale materials has increased greatly due to the unique chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of nanomaterials compared to bulk materials. This research presents nanotechnology role in improving sensorial properties (taste, appearance, and texture) and safety aspects as well as processing and packaging of foods. The use of nano-omics-based technologies and artificial intelligence-nanotechnology-based technologies in the food industry is also …

The Right To A Glass Box: Rethinking The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Criminal Justice, Brandon L. Garrett, Cynthia Rudin

Faculty Scholarship

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) increasingly is used to make important decisions that affect individuals and society. As governments and corporations use AI more pervasively, one of the most troubling trends is that developers so often design it to be a “black box.” Designers create AI models too complex for people to understand or they conceal how AI functions. Policymakers and the public increasingly sound alarms about black box AI. A particularly pressing area of concern has been criminal cases, in which a person’s life, liberty, and public safety can be at stake. In the United States and globally, despite concerns that …

Trust: The Feature That Vending Machines And Atms Share, But Simplygo Lacks, Sun Sun Lim

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The article discussed the intricacies of trust in the SimplyGo debacle and highlighted how the design of physical interfaces like vending machines and ATMs and digital interfaces from apps like Grab, Parking.sg and ShopBack have critical features to instil trust. People need to be reassured that their transactions have proceeded as they should, and thay have not been short-changed.