Green roof water quality impacts and physicochemical stability

Green roofs can provide environmental benefits and conserve energy; this research evaluated green roof stormwater management, nutrient loading, and erosion prevention for two green roof media. During a pilot study, the runoff quantity and composition from green roof material was evaluated continuously under field conditions for two different media, both tested under planted and unplanted conditions. Water quantity results show over a 40% reduction in runoff from just the growing media and over 60% reduction in runoff with established plants in green roof media over the eight month study. Previous studies have reported a first flush of excess nutrients but without evaluating the duration and intensity of this phenomenon throughout the first year of the roof\u27s life. Total phosphorus at 30 mg/L and nitrogen concentrations above 60 mg/L were observed in green roof runoff initially, with concentrations decreasing over time to 5 and 10 mg/L, respectively. In addition, elevated total organic carbon concentrations were observed, with concentrations of 500 mg/L initially, decreasing to below ten percent of initial concentrations. Media type and age were the largest influences on carbon and nutrient concentrations. Understanding runoff nutrient kinetics can better aid in developing procedures to minimize nutrient runoff and predict nutrient loading more accurately. In testing physical stability, both wind tunnel testing and sampling of total suspended solids in runoff were performed. The green roof drainage and filter fabric systems proved effective at preventing water-based erosion, with median total suspended solids concentrations for both below 20 mg/L. Because wind erosion can occur, surface stabilizers (i.e. adhesives) are available to secure green roof media. Green roof adhesive and plant cover were evaluated through wind tunnel testing; both reduced wind scour down to one-tenth of observed scour without any cover, providing protection against wind erosion --Abstract, page iv

Empowering Community Health Workers in Guatemala

Introduction: Community health workers (CHW) have been integral in helping middle- and low-income countries. This research paper discusses the benefits of the involvement of CHWs in health screenings. Methods: Health screenings were performed for three rural communities in Guatemala, in 2021, alongside a church in Zacapa, to identify community wide health risks. The screenings included a detailed questionnaire that collected demographic data, height and weight, a blood glucose check, a hemoglobin check, and a blood pressure reading. Additional nutritional data was collected to understand diet patterns and habits. In-depth educational sessions were done with the CHWs, emphasizing preventative care, and the teach-back method was used to verify the effectiveness of instruction. Results: Educational efforts were measured by accurate demonstrations and correct answers to questions at the end of the sessions. The results yielded 47% of the CHW’s displayed a correct return demonstration on the first try, 33% did on their second try, and 20% on their third. Conclusion/Limitations/Recommendations: Using the methods described above and the data collected on previous trips, the study allowed for health screenings and education, along with the resources to continue screenings independently. Some limitations of this study include participant age or previous illness, along with the missing data from the 2020 trip, which was postponed due to COVID-19. Recommendations include first-aid response training to combat the limited emergency medical services and additional studies to continually educate the communities in Guatemala

EDIBLE LANDSCAPE INITIATIVE: A SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

Climate change is a wicked problem that is faced by every person on earth. Whether this impact comes in the form of food scarcity, weather changes, disease, or the destruction of homes and habitats makes no difference. While the climate does go through a series of changes and rotations, the changes that we are experiencing now are exponentially higher and thus more dangerous. Climate change has been fueled by an excess use of fossil fuels, an excessive amount of deforestation, and an excessive attitude of uncaring within large companies and governments that have the ability and power to create real change. This problem has only grown in the past years and will continue to grow unless a change is made within each citizen of the world. The Edible Landscape Initiative began as a group of honors college freshmen. Our passion for the environment brought us together to make an impact. The goal: is to create an orchard to bear fruit for the community, promote an ecocentric worldview, and spread the love of the environment across college campuses. By giving others the ability to invest in the environment through the establishment of orchards, we ensure future generations have effortless access, and the opportunity to cultivate a love for the natural world. The Edible Landscape Initiative group procured land, developed plans for the orchard (fruit trees, bushes, and pollinator/herb garden), gained necessary university approvals, and established ties with university communities to create a sustainability plan. Through crowdfunding, we raised approximately seven thousand dollars, developed service opportunities, and negotiated the purchase of all plants, soil, and tools (planted on April 24, 2021.) The success of this project stands as evidence that not only can students make a difference on their physical campus, but also in the mindset of those around them. In conclusion, the destruction that climate change causes will not be fixed with one change, but instead a change of mindset within a community is needed. One small orchard within a single community can help to inspire and grow an ecocentric mindset within areas around the community, country, and around the world. The Edible Landscape Initiative actively works to create a change within the world by creating a change within the minds of students who will go on to positively change the world.B.A

Physical Impact of Waterjet-Based Sediment Remediation on Benthic Organisms

Adding Activated Carbon to Sediments Has Been Shown to Be an Effective Means of Reducing the Bioavailability of Certain Contaminants. the Current State of the Practice is to Mechanically Mix Activated Carbon to a Target Concentration of 3 Percent at Depths of Approximately 30 Cm using a Rotovator or Similar Construction Equipment. Waterjets Have Been Used to Cut Hard Material using a Mixture of Water and an Abrasive. If Activated Carbon is Substituted for the Abrasive, Waterjets Have the Potential to Use Surface Injection as a Replacement for Mechanical Mixing during Sediment Remediation. a Perceived Benefit of Waterjet-Based Sediment Remediation is that There May Be a Reduced Potential for Benthic Organism Mortality Related to Amendment Delivery. a Set of Waterjet Parameters Were Identified that Have the Potential to Achieve Amendment Placement Goals, and a Series of Waterjet Tests Were Conducted to Evaluate the Potential Impact on the Benthic Community. the Tests Included Mortality Testing using a Swimming Macroinvertebrate and a Burrowing Invertebrate, Benthic Artifacts Such as Shells, and Craft Foam as a Surrogate for Living Organisms. the Results Indicated that the Immediate Survivability Was Typically Greater Than 50 Percent, and that Empirical Relationships between Two Variables (Waterjet Nozzle Diameter and the Water Column Height between the Nozzle and the Target) and the Depth of Cut in the Foam Could Be Established. Data Are Not Available in the Literature for Direct Comparison of Organism Survivability Immediately after Mechanical Mixing, But the Results of This Study Provide Motivation for the Further Evaluation of Waterjets on the Basis of the Low Observed Mortality Rates. Future Waterjet Work May Address Field-Scale Characterization of Mixing Effectiveness, Resuspension Potential, Technical Feasibility, and Cost. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Dose-response relationship of ICS/fast-onset LABA as reliever therapy in asthma

The dose-response relationship of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/fast-onset long acting beta agonist (LABA) reliever therapy has not been formally addressed. The objective of this retrospective analysis is to ascertain from the available evidence whether ICS/fast-onset LABA administered as reliever therapy has a different dose-response relationship than maintenance fixed dose ICS/fast-onset LABA therapy in reducing risk of severe exacerbations

Stimulating fertility awareness: the importance of getting the language right

While education about fertility is not intrinsically controversial, finding the right language to communicate the topic can be challenging, as there are several risks of unintended negative effects such as dissonance, anxiety, culpability, and stigma due to social norming. In this article, we share some of our learnings from promoting fertility awareness in the hope that they will inspire further debate and research on this topic. Starting from the ethical principles of respect for reproductive autonomy, avoiding harm (in terms of stigma or anxiety) and inclusivity, we have formulated five recommendations: (i) frame fertility awareness messages with (reproductive) autonomy in mind and aim to be inclusive of those who do not represent the traditional nuclear family; (ii) be empathetic and steer clear of blame; (iii) avoid scaremongering and offer a positive angle; (iv) give due consideration to both women and men in fertility health messaging; and (v) tailor the messages to particular contexts and audiences and develop resources in close collaboration with the target groups

Sulfur release during the pyrolysis of kraft black liquor

"October 1991.""Submitted for publication in the Journal of Pulp and Paper Science.

Social jetlag and prostate cancer incidence in Alberta\u27s Tomorrow Project: A prospective cohort study

We investigated the association of social jetlag (misalignment between the internal clock and socially required timing of activities) and prostate cancer incidence in a prospective cohort in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected from 7455 cancer-free men aged 35-69 years enrolled in Alberta\u27s Tomorrow Project (ATP) from 2001-2007. In the 2008 survey, participants reported usual bed- and wake-times on weekdays and weekend days. Social jetlag was defined as the absolute difference in waking time between weekday and weekend days, and was categorized into three groups: 0-\u3c1 h (from 0 to anything smaller than 1), 1-\u3c2 h (from 1 to anything smaller than 2), and 2+ h. ATP facilitated data linkage with the Alberta Cancer Registry in June 2018 to determine incident prostate cancer cases

ISA-TAB-Nano: A Specification for Sharing Nanomaterial Research Data in Spreadsheet-based Format

BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION: The high-throughput genomics communities have been successfully using standardized spreadsheet-based formats to capture and share data within labs and among public repositories. The nanomedicine community has yet to adopt similar standards to share the diverse and multi-dimensional types of data (including metadata) pertaining to the description and characterization of nanomaterials. Owing to the lack of standardization in representing and sharing nanomaterial data, most of the data currently shared via publications and data resources are incomplete, poorly-integrated, and not suitable for meaningful interpretation and re-use of the data. Specifically, in its current state, data cannot be effectively utilized for the development of predictive models that will inform the rational design of nanomaterials. RESULTS: We have developed a specification called ISA-TAB-Nano, which comprises four spreadsheet-based file formats for representing and integrating various types of nanomaterial data. Three file formats (Investigation, Study, and Assay files) have been adapted from the established ISA-TAB specification; while the Material file format was developed de novo to more readily describe the complexity of nanomaterials and associated small molecules. In this paper, we have discussed the main features of each file format and how to use them for sharing nanomaterial descriptions and assay metadata. CONCLUSION: The ISA-TAB-Nano file formats provide a general and flexible framework to record and integrate nanomaterial descriptions, assay data (metadata and endpoint measurements) and protocol information. Like ISA-TAB, ISA-TAB-Nano supports the use of ontology terms to promote standardized descriptions and to facilitate search and integration of the data. The ISA-TAB-Nano specification has been submitted as an ASTM work item to obtain community feedback and to provide a nanotechnology data-sharing standard for public development and adoption

Zoonosis emergence linked to agricultural intensification and environmental change

A systematic review was conducted by a multidisciplinary team to analyze qualitatively best available scientific evidence on the effect of agricultural intensification and environmental changes on the risk of zoonoses for which there are epidemiological interactions between wildlife and livestock. The study found several examples in which agricultural intensification and/or environmental change were associated with an increased risk of zoonotic disease emergence, driven by the impact of an expanding human population and changing human behavior on the environment. We conclude that the rate of future zoonotic disease emergence or reemergence will be closely linked to the evolution of the agriculture–environment nexus. However, available research inadequately addresses the complexity and interrelatedness of environmental, biological, economic, and social dimensions of zoonotic pathogen emergence, which significantly limits our ability to predict, prevent, and respond to zoonotic disease emergence