Analysis of Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) in Environmental Samples by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is a brominated flame retardant that has been identified as a priority substance within the European Water Framework Directive and must be monitored in the environment by regulatory bodies such as Natural Resources Wales. This project investigated the extraction and analysis of the three main isomers of HBCDD in different matrices including freshwater, saline and biota, exploring different compound extraction techniques to find the optimal procedure for each matrix investigated and finding the optimal parameters for analysis. A method for analysis of aqueous saline and freshwater matrices was developed and validated involving an extraction procedure using hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) solid phase extraction (SPE) disks, elution into methanol and a x1000 concentration of the sample extract. Analysis was conducted via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with a quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in negative electrospray ionisation mode. The target limit of quantitation values for each isomer of 75 pg/L and 150 pg/L for saline and freshwater matrices respectively was achieved in both matrices, with % accuracies for both matrices ranging from 97.3 – 102.7% and every isomer in both saline and freshwater fell below the precision target of <15% RSD. Initial method development on biota matrix involved research of QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) kits with alternative dispersive SPE kits tested, and investigation into homogenisation techniques of the biota matrix. The result of this project was implementation of a fully validated method for extraction and analysis of HBCDD in saline and freshwater matrices as a routine monitoring test of HBCDD abundance in the environment. Further work will need to be conducted on the analysis of HBCDD in biota matrix

John Tracy Ellis and the Figure of the Catholic Intellectual

Fifty years after John Tracy Ellis challenged the quality and character of Catholic intellectual life, much work remains to be done. This essay explores Ellis’s original assertions and places them in an overarching historical context that involves Flannery O’Connor and Thomas Merton

Insurance Anti-Rebate Statutes and \u3cem\u3eDade County Consumer Advocates v. Department of Insurance\u3c/em\u3e: Can a 19th Century Idea Protect Modern Consumers?

In 1984, a Florida court of appeals held that the Florida statutes prohibiting insurance agents from rebating part of their commissions to customers violated the due process clause of the Florida Constitution. The court concluded that no rational relationship exists between the anti-rebate statutes and the legitimate state purpose of protecting the public. The Florida decision is noteworthy because every state prohibits insurance agents and brokers from rebating to their customers a part of the commission earned from the sale of an insurance policy. In addition, every state prohibits unfair discrimination in pricing insurance policies and prohibits agreements between agents and insureds that are not clearly expressed in the insurance policy. Collectively, these prohibitions are designed to prevent insurer insolvency and unfair competition. The Florida case highlights a growing controversy over whether these statutes should prevent individual insurance purchasers from negotiating with the agent the price for the services rendered by the agent-the agent\u27s commission. The controversy involves challenges both to the current marketing system of the insurance industry and to fundamental assumptions about consumer protections enacted nearly a century ago. This Comment reviews the history and application of anti-rebate laws, analyzes the arguments presented in the Florida decision, and suggests a transitional approach to ending a system of fixed commissions for insurance agents and brokers

Financial Responsibility Assistance for Underground Storage Tanks: Can Washington State Run a Pollution Reinsurance Company?

This Article reviews Washington state efforts to create a state financial responsibility assurance program; it analyzes EPA financial responsibility regulations; it examines the risks associated with insuring underground petroleum storage tanks; and it assesses the problems and merits of the state pollution liability insurance program as a potential solution to owner and operator financial responsibility needs. The Article concludes that the Washington program reflects the best efforts of the legislature to compromise the competing interests of the public, owners and operators of USTs, and environmental groups. If pollution insurers bargain in good faith with the state, the program will succeed in creating an affordable pollution insurance market in Washington while creating a profitable business opportunity for insurers

Insurance Anti-Rebate Statutes and \u3cem\u3eDade County Consumer Advocates v. Department of Insurance\u3c/em\u3e: Can a 19th Century Idea Protect Modern Consumers?

In 1984, a Florida court of appeals held that the Florida statutes prohibiting insurance agents from rebating part of their commissions to customers violated the due process clause of the Florida Constitution. The court concluded that no rational relationship exists between the anti-rebate statutes and the legitimate state purpose of protecting the public. The Florida decision is noteworthy because every state prohibits insurance agents and brokers from rebating to their customers a part of the commission earned from the sale of an insurance policy. In addition, every state prohibits unfair discrimination in pricing insurance policies and prohibits agreements between agents and insureds that are not clearly expressed in the insurance policy. Collectively, these prohibitions are designed to prevent insurer insolvency and unfair competition. The Florida case highlights a growing controversy over whether these statutes should prevent individual insurance purchasers from negotiating with the agent the price for the services rendered by the agent-the agent\u27s commission. The controversy involves challenges both to the current marketing system of the insurance industry and to fundamental assumptions about consumer protections enacted nearly a century ago. This Comment reviews the history and application of anti-rebate laws, analyzes the arguments presented in the Florida decision, and suggests a transitional approach to ending a system of fixed commissions for insurance agents and brokers

The Literacy Paradox: Service-Learning and the Traditional English Department

The Dayton Literacy Project uses a service- learning course, offered by the University of Dayton, to bring together undergraduates and GED students from the local community. This paper discusses this course\u27s intellectual rationale, its organization, and its work with women receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The overall success of the project suggests some of the ways that the discipline of English can be re-envisioned to integrate academic study in the humanities with literacy instruction

Preserving Rural Gas Stations: State Financial Assistance for Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks

This Article briefly reviews environmental regulations requiring the upgrading of Underground Storage Tankss, analyzes the development and implementation of the new financial assistance program, and considers the constitutionality of the program in light of state ing of credit prohibitions

The Effect of International Level COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders on Death Rates

In this paper, we document and compare data gathered from more than 50 countries with different demographic characteristics, lockdown policies, health systems, and different varying timelines to combat COVID-19. After discussing the variables and their impact on the mortality numbers, we will make a recommendation concerning the different lockdown policies for future use. The main objective of this paper is to investigate connections between government policies, population age, age density, smoking rate, IQ air pollution, forms of greeting, death rate, obesity/health index, mean age, face coverings, contact tracing, international travel control level, etc. and how these independent variables might affect future policy creation. This paper will include recommendations and criteria of success for other countries in the world based on the provided qualitative and quantitative research through testing hypothesis with literature review, gathering, comparing, and interpreting the data

The impact of computer aided architectural design programs on conceptual design in an educational context.

Little research has been undertaken concerning the manner in which students use computer aided architectural design (CAAD) programs for conceptual design. The research aim was to explore the potential impact of CAAD programs as conceptual design tools within architectural design methodologies. Therefore, the study aimed to understand the effect of CAAD on self-reflection using a think-aloud method. The findings demonstrate that participants used CAAD representations for concept development, information visualisation and presentation of design strategies. Results from the detailed analysis of design process are enlightening, particularly in terms of the cyclical nature of conceptual design. Furthermore, the use of a micro-detail protocol study within this context suggests an appropriate methodology for application in further study of the architectural design process