A framework to support environmentally-based decision-making in the biopharmaceutical industry

The past decade has seen an increasing focus on the issues surrounding climate change and this has triggered governments internationally to develop environmental legislation and policies for the energy-intensive industries (EIIs) that can help reduce their anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. The biopharmaceutical industry is a relatively new EII. As the industry matures, the level of environmental scrutiny is increasing. Therefore, there is a need for the development of a framework specific to this industry to help guide the selection of manufacturing and disposal routes that reflect the potential environmental impact. In this doctorate, a framework based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) tool was developed. The application of the framework for evaluating manufacturing and solid waste management alternatives is demonstrated via case studies that focus on production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies using mammalian cell culture process at 200 L operational scale using either traditional or a hybrid based on a mix of traditional and disposable modes of production. The framework was employed to identify the process (whether traditional or hybrid) that contributes least to environmental impact, and also to identify the most suitable solid waste management method (landfill, incineration and pyrolysis). The life cycle inventory of the manufacturing processes, and the methodology used to obtain the inventory are presented. It is expected that this information will be beneficial for future studies in this area of research. The analysis also utilised sensitivity analysis studies to assess critically the uncertainties in the assumptions made in the case study. Finally, the application of the framework in evaluating the cumulative environmental impact, from manufacture in support of clinical stages up to production was assessed. Here, the focus was not only to evaluate the cumulative environmental impact, but also to explore the benefits of employing single-use technologies during clinical phase manufacture when developing a monoclonal antibody for therapeutic use. The work in this thesis highlights the benefits of adopting a consistent engineering framework to guide process and technology selections in the biopharmaceutical industry by improving the overall quality of decision-making. This in turn will help the industry to predict and to control their environmental performance

Friends of Nursing: A Community of Caring to Promote Excellence in Nursing Practice, Education, and Research

More than 25 years ago, the name Friends of Nursing was adopted by an academic, community Magnet(®) hospital to signify a model for community support of nursing. From inception, the intent was to recruit philanthropic dollars to promote recognition of and excellence in nursing practice, education, and research. Although philanthropy in health care settings is common, what is unique about this program is the long-standing, dedicated conceptual framework for nursing philanthropy and the very significant number of philanthropic dollars from literally thousands of donors to support a diverse range of activities to affect and advance the professional excellence of nurses and the quality of patient care. This model has been successfully replicated within a wide variety of other health care organizations and nursing services throughout the United States and abroad

D-brane Spectrum and K-theory Constraints of D=4, N=1 Orientifolds

We study the spectrum of stable BPS and non-BPS D-branes in Z_2 x Z_2 orientifolds for all choices of discrete torsion between the orbifold and orientifold generators. We compute the torsion K-theory charges in these D=4, N=1 orientifold models directly from worldsheet conformal field theory, and compare with the K-theory constraints obtained indirectly using D-brane probes. The K-theory torsion charges derived here provide non-trivial constraints on string model building. We also discuss regions of stability for non-BPS D-branes in these examples.Comment: 40 pages, 5 table

Sacrificial-template-free synthesis of core-shell C@Bi2S3 heterostructures for efficient supercapacitor and H-2 production applications

Core-shell heterostructures have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique properties and broad range of applications in lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis. Conversely, the effective synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorod core@ amorphous carbon shell heterostructure remains an important challenge. In this study, C@Bi2S3 core-shell heterostructures with enhanced supercapacitor performance were synthesized via sacrificial-template-free one-pot-synthesis method. The highest specific capacities of the C@Bi2S3 core shell was 333.43 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1). Core-shell-structured C@Bi2S3 exhibits 1.86 times higher photocatalytic H-2 production than the pristine Bi2S3 under simulated solar light irradiation. This core-shell feature of C@Bi2S3 provides efficient charge separation and transfer owing to the formed heterojunction and a short radial transfer path, thus efficiently diminishing the charge recombination; it also facilitates plenty of active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction owing to its mesoporous nature. These outcomes will open opportunities for developing low-cost and noble-metal-free efficient electrode materials for water splitting and supercapacitor applications