Emerging Technologies For The Production Of Nanocellulose From Lignocellulosic Biomass,
2022
Technological University Dublin
Emerging Technologies For The Production Of Nanocellulose From Lignocellulosic Biomass, Dileswar Pradhan, Amit Jaiswal, Swarna Jaiswal
Articles
Nanocellulose is a unique and promising natural nanomaterial and has gained significant attention due to its applications in several important areas. Thus, researchers are continuously looking for the most efficient, sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly production technologies to fulfil its growing demand. Conventional production technologies, which include various physical, chemical, and physicochemical methods, are currently inadequate for this purpose and have several limitations such as long processing time, high energy consumption, low recovery of nanocellulose, and many others. To overcome these shortcomings, scientists have investigated the prospect of utilizing emerging processing technologies such as microwave irradiation, deep eutectic solvent, …
Circling The Drain: The Extinction Crisis And The Future Of Humanity,
2022
Stanford University
Circling The Drain: The Extinction Crisis And The Future Of Humanity, Rodolfo Dirzo, Gerardo Ceballos, Paul R. Ehrlich
H. W. Manter Laboratory Library Materials
Humanity has triggered the sixth mass extinction episode since the beginning of the Phanerozoic. The complexity of this extinction crisis is centered on the intersection of two complex adaptive systems: human culture and ecosystem functioning, although the significance of this intersection is not properly appreciated. Human beings are part of biodiversity and elements in a global ecosystem. Civilization, and perhaps even the fate of our species, is utterly dependent on that ecosystem’s proper functioning, which society is increasingly degrading. The crisis seems rooted in three factors. First, relatively few people globally are aware of its existence. Second, most people who …
Effects Of Perchlorate Exposure On Swimming Performance Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) And Organ Development Of Mice (Mus Musculus),
2022
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Effects Of Perchlorate Exposure On Swimming Performance Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) And Organ Development Of Mice (Mus Musculus), Quentin Phillips
All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects
Biomimetic properties of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) enable these chemicals to induce physiological responses in organisms at the cellular level, affecting fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Perchlorate is a ubiquitous EDC to which nearly all humans of industrialized countries are exposed. Perchlorate competitively inhibits the sodium-iodide symporters located within the follicular cells of the thyroid gland, reducing the body’s ability to uptake iodide and synthesize thyroid hormone (TH), a crucial hormone in the regulation of many metabolic processes. Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) are aquatic model organisms used in perchlorate exposure research. Exposure causes many common …
Who Pays To Clean Up What A Dying Industry Leaves Behind?,
2021
City University of New York (CUNY)
Who Pays To Clean Up What A Dying Industry Leaves Behind?, Audrey Carleton
Capstones
As the birthplace of oil and gas, Pennsylvania is home to the highest number of orphaned abandoned oil and gas wells in the country — an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 dot the Keystone State, all remnants of a dying industry. These wells emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and have, for decades, caused alarm to hundreds of residents, documents obtained in a months-long capstone investigation show. The state is currently plugging 10 to 12 abandoned wells per year, on average, out of hundreds of thousands, in part because it has not collected enough in cleanup funds from producers to fund …
Hyperlocal Air Quality Exposure Assessment To Support Health Studies,
2021
Washington University in St. Louis
Hyperlocal Air Quality Exposure Assessment To Support Health Studies, Pradeep Prathibha
McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations
Hyperlocal air pollution exposure is driven by local emission sources, meteorology, and the built environment, with traffic-related emissions modulating primary and secondary pollutant concentrations against a variable background of similar contaminants from other sources. Recent studies show that intra-urban air quality has temporally persistent patterns that sharply vary 5-8 times within a city block; currently, regulatory ambient air quality monitoring (2-5 fixed-site monitors per 1000 km2 in U.S. census urban areas) cannot capture exposure at this spatial resolution. This dissertation aims to advance methods relying on fixed-site and mobile measurements using high-time resolution aerosol instruments as well as low-cost sensors …
Improving Care For Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Through The Use Of A Personal Electrocardiogram,
2021
Southwest Medical
Improving Care For Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Through The Use Of A Personal Electrocardiogram, Teresa Praus, Jonathan Li, Svetlana Barbarash, Manuel Proenza, Mary D. Bondmass
Nursing Faculty Publications
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia affecting more than six million people in the United States. The economic burden is estimated to be >$6 billion annually with catastrophic events dramatically increasing expenditure. When patients experience symptoms, they commonly present to an acute care facility; this can be costly and anxiety provoking. Local problem: Same-day access issues prohibit patients from communicating directly with their cardiology provider, forcing them to use resources and increasing psychological burden.Methods:A convenience sample, made up of 43 patients, was given a KardiaMobile device. Eligible patients had ≥2 AF-related emergency department (ED) or urgent care …
Combining Community Wastewater Genomic Surveillance With State Clinical Surveillance: A Framework For Sars-Cov-2 Public Health Practice,
2021
University of Louisville
Combining Community Wastewater Genomic Surveillance With State Clinical Surveillance: A Framework For Sars-Cov-2 Public Health Practice, Ted Smith, Rochelle H. Holm, Ray Yeager, Joseph B. Moore Iv, Eric C. Rouchka, Kevin J. Sokoloski, Daymond Talley, Vaneet Arora, Sarah Moyer, Aruni Bhatnagar
Faculty Scholarship
Study objective: To garner a framework for combining community wastewater surveillance with state clinical surveillance that influence confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 variants within the community, and recommend how the flow of such research evidence could be expanded and employed for public health response. Design, setting, and participants: This work involved analyzing wastewater samples collected weekly from 17 geographically resolved locations in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky from February 10 to November 29, 2021. Genomic surveillance and RT-qPCR platforms were used as screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and state clinical surveillance was used for confirmation. Main results: The results demonstrate increased epidemiological value …
Investigation Of Toxic Chemicals In Plant-Based Milk Alternatives,
2021
Texas Southern University
Investigation Of Toxic Chemicals In Plant-Based Milk Alternatives, Chukwunonso A. Anakwue
Dissertations (2016-Present)
Milk is a dietary component consumed all over the world and is known to be essential for development in children. Despite all the nutritional advantages associated with milk consumption, several issues like lactose intolerance, and high lipid content, etc., negatively affects the perception of cow milk consumption, and has grown into general health concerns. Issues with cow milk consumption drove for a healthier alternative and this led to plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA). Several studies have linked consumption of these PBMAs with other negative effects such as: allergy, poor nutrient profile and the presence of other foreign chemicals. This study’s main …
Toxicity And Effects Of Tire Crumb Rubber In The Aquatic Environment,
2021
Clemson University
Toxicity And Effects Of Tire Crumb Rubber In The Aquatic Environment, Stephanie Laplaca
All Dissertations
Plastic materials have provided innovative solutions to society’s evolving needs and challenges. Due to their durability and resistance to degradation, plastics remain in the environment for long periods of time and can therefore be transported to many environmental compartments such as water, sediment, and biota. Microplastics (MPs) have been defined as synthetic plastic particles that have at least one dimension less than 5 mm and are insoluble in water. Microrubber (MR), a recently acknowledged sub-group of MPs, has been documented in environmental samples more recently, frequently comprising a large portion of total MPs of various samples. In South Carolina specifically, …
Cardenolide, Potassium, And Pyrethroid Insecticide Combinations Reduce Growth And Survival Of Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae),
2021
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Cardenolide, Potassium, And Pyrethroid Insecticide Combinations Reduce Growth And Survival Of Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Annie J. Krueger, Emily A. Robinson, Thomas J. Weissling, Ana M. Vélez, Troy D. Anderson
Faculty Publications: Department of Entomology
The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus L., has evolved to be insensitive to milkweed cardenolides via genetic modifications of Na+/K+-ATPase. There is concern for insecticide exposures near agriculture, with little information on monarch caterpillar toxicology. It is unclear how cardenolide insensitivity may affect the sensitivity of monarch caterpillars to pyrethroid insecticides. Additionally, potassium fertilizers may affect monarch caterpillar physiology and cardenolide sequestration. Here, we investigated the growth, survival, and development of caterpillars exposed to the cardenolide ouabain, bifenthrin, and potassium chloride (KCl) alone and in combination. Caterpillars were either exposed to (1) ouabain from third- to fifth-instar …
Examining An Intersection Of Environmental Justice And Covid-19 Risk Assessment: A Review,
2021
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Examining An Intersection Of Environmental Justice And Covid-19 Risk Assessment: A Review, Ashley Ellis
Honors Theses
This study views the risks associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as an environmental injustice issue due to the connection between existing environmental disparities and the disproportional negative impacts brought upon by the virus. The social and health determinants attributed to those environmental disparities have traditionally been evaluated as individual risk factors, an approach that fails to gauge the complexity of an environmental injustice issue. This study employs the emerging theory of intersectionality, a belief that phenomena cannot be linked to one principal cause but instead an interconnected web of influences, in order to synthesize the multitude of factors believed …
Providing Pesticide License Holders Ceu Credits During The Covid 19 Pandemic,
2021
Utah State University
Providing Pesticide License Holders Ceu Credits During The Covid 19 Pandemic, Michael Wierda, Cody Zesiger, Jacob Hadfield, Micheal Pace, Paige Wray
Outcomes and Impact Quarterly
USU Extension and UDAF provide continuing education units (CEUs) for pesticide license renewal. However, in 2020, face-to-face meetings were canceled due to COVID-19. Workshop cancellation left CEU seekers with limited options. In response, programming was adapted and 2,992 CEU hours were provided via online sessions.
Optimising Risk Governance: A Case Study Of The Philippines’ Change Crew Hub System,
2021
World Maritime University
Optimising Risk Governance: A Case Study Of The Philippines’ Change Crew Hub System, Cynthia E. Esquivias
World Maritime University Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Plastic Biodegradation Through Insects And Their Symbionts Microbes: A Review,
2021
Institute of Plant Protection, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
Plastic Biodegradation Through Insects And Their Symbionts Microbes: A Review, Huda Bilal, Hasnain Raza, Haseena Bibi, Tehmina Bibi
Journal of Bioresource Management
Plastic waste has recently been identified as one of the most serious environmental issues, affecting all life forms, natural habitats, and the economy, and is one of the most serious global environmental problems, second only to climate change. Seeking alternative environmentally sustainable options, such as biodegradation instead of conventional disposal, is critical in the face of this challenge. However, there is currently a lack of information about the mechanisms and efficacy of plastic biodegradation. From this perspective, this study aims to illustrate the negative environmental impacts of the plastic waste. It also addresses the role of insects and gut microbiota …
Public Awareness And Support For Use Of Wastewater For Sars-Cov-2 Monitoring: A Community Survey In Louisville, Kentucky,
2021
University of Louisville
Public Awareness And Support For Use Of Wastewater For Sars-Cov-2 Monitoring: A Community Survey In Louisville, Kentucky, Rochelle H. Holm, J. Michael Brick, Alok R. Amraotkar, Joy L. Hart, Anish Mukherjee, Jacob Zeigler, Adrienne M. Bushau-Sprinkle, Lauren B. Anderson, Kandi L. Walker, Daymond Talley, Rachel J. Keith, Shesh N. Rai, Kenneth E. Palmer, Aruni Bhatnagar, Ted Smith
Faculty Scholarship
The majority of sewer systems in the United States and other countries, are operated by public utilities. In the absence of any regulation, public perception of monitoring wastewater for population health biomarkers is an important consideration for a public utility commission when allocating resources for this purpose. In August 2021, we conducted a survey as part of an ongoing COVID-19 community prevalence study in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. The survey comprised of seven questions about awareness of and privacy concerns and was sent to 32,000 households randomly distributed within the county. A total of 1,220 sampled adults participated in the probability …
Investigating The Developmental Impacts Of 3,3’-Dichlorobiphenyl (Pcb-11) In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio),
2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Investigating The Developmental Impacts Of 3,3’-Dichlorobiphenyl (Pcb-11) In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Monika A. Roy
Doctoral Dissertations
The environmental pollutant 3,3’-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) is a lower-chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener present in air and water samples. Both PCB-11 and its metabolite, 4-PCB-11-Sulfate, are detected in humans, including in pregnant women. The work conducted for this dissertation takes a developmental toxicology approach and uses zebrafish (Danio rerio) to investigate PCB-11’s potential impacts to the liver and pancreas. Chapter 1 introduces PCBs and the current knowledge gaps. Chapter 2 investigates PCB-11 interactions in short-term 4-day exposures with the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) pathway in both 0-20 mM individual and mixture exposures with other Ahr agonists. In Chapter 3, …
Monitoring Mammals At Multiple Scales: Case Studies From Carnivore Communities,
2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Monitoring Mammals At Multiple Scales: Case Studies From Carnivore Communities, Kadambari Devarajan
Doctoral Dissertations
Carnivores are distributed widely and threatened by habitat loss, poaching, climate change, and disease. They are considered integral to ecosystem function through their direct and indirect interactions with species at different trophic levels. Given the importance of carnivores, it is of high conservation priority to understand the processes driving carnivore assemblages in different systems. It is thus essential to determine the abiotic and biotic drivers of carnivore community composition at different spatial scales and address the following questions: (i) What factors influence carnivore community composition and diversity? (ii) How do the factors influencing carnivore communities vary across spatial and temporal …
High-Throughput Sequencing Of Sars-Cov-2 In Wastewater Provides Insights Into Circulating Variants,
2021
Arizona State University
High-Throughput Sequencing Of Sars-Cov-2 In Wastewater Provides Insights Into Circulating Variants, Rafaela S. Fontenele, Simona Kraberger, James Hadfield, Erin M. Driver, Devin Bowes, La Rinda A. Holland, Temitope O.C. Faleye, Sangeet Adhikari, Rahul Kumar, Rosa Inchausti, Wydale K. Holmes, Stephanie Deitrick, Philip Brown, Darrell Duty, Ted Smith, Aruni Bhatnagar, Ray A. Yeager, Rochelle H. Holm, Natalia Hoogesteijn Von Reitzenstein, Elliott Wheeler, Kevin Dixon, Tim Constantine, Melissa A. Wilson, Efrem S. Lim, Xiaofang Jiang, Rolf U. Halden, Matthew Scotch, Arvind Varsani
Faculty Scholarship
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) likely emerged from a zoonotic spill-over event and has led to a global pandemic. The public health response has been predominantly informed by surveillance of symptomatic individuals and contact tracing, with quarantine, and other preventive measures have then been applied to mitigate further spread. Non-traditional methods of surveillance such as genomic epidemiology and wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) have also been leveraged during this pandemic. Genomic epidemiology uses high-throughput sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to inform local and international transmission events, as well as the diversity of circulating variants. WBE uses wastewater to analyse community spread, …
Technical Memo: Incorporating Mixture Toxicity Into Bayesian Networks To Calculate Risk To Pesticides In The Upper San Francisco Estuary.,
2021
Western Washington University
Technical Memo: Incorporating Mixture Toxicity Into Bayesian Networks To Calculate Risk To Pesticides In The Upper San Francisco Estuary., Eric J. Lawrence, Skyler R. Elmstrom, Emma E. Sharpe, Wayne G. Landis
Institute of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry Publications
This memo presents the methods we have developed to calculate risk of mixtures of pesticides for the Upper San Francisco Estuary (USFE). We used curve fitting to estimate the exposure-response curves for each individual chemical and then the mixture. For the mixture the models were normalized for specific ECx values. In that way the curve fitting was optimized for effects that are similar to most threshold values. A Bayesian network was then built that incorporated four different pesticides and a specific mode of action. The input distributions of the pesticides were measured amounts from each of the six risk regions. …
Assessing Stakeholder Needs And Preferences For Coastal Swimming Advisories In Charleston, South Carolina,
2021
University of South Carolina
Assessing Stakeholder Needs And Preferences For Coastal Swimming Advisories In Charleston, South Carolina, Zachary Haynes Hart
Theses and Dissertations
The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act was established in 2000 to reduce the risk of illness among recreational users of beaches in the United States. Specifically, the Act provides coastal states and territories with annual grants to conduct routine water quality monitoring at beaches and to notify the public when pathogen levels exceed safe thresholds. Many coastal states use beach signs, agency websites, and press releases to notify the public, but a 2011 evaluation of the public notification component of the BEACH Act found that few states are choosing methods based on target audience characteristics and interests. …
