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Treatment of Eutrophication via Hydroponic Production of Commercial Crops
No full textEutrophication caused by artificial nutrient loading poses a threat to various ecosystems and the services humans require of them for survival. Of the current methods for combating eutrophication, all have complications that prevent widespread use, be it cost, secondary pollution or limited application. Phytoremediation has been analyzed as a potential alternative solution to eutrophication with generally positive results as it can sequester nutrients into a crop thereby removing excess nutrients from the water. Research into phytoremediation via commercial crops grown in a hydroponic setting is lacking, and so this research sought to form an initial exploration into the viability of this alternative. Two sets of three miniature recirculating hydroponic systems were created under similar conditions with simulated eutrophic water of initial nitrate concentrations of approximately 6.7mg/L (trial 1) and 42.9mg/L (trial 2). Bibb lettuce was germinated in rockwool and added only to the experimental systems, whereas the control system contained only the rockwool growing media. Samples were collected weekly for spectrophotometry analysis of nitrogen while pH and electrical conductivity were collected three times per week via probes. In the first trial, the nitrate levels were lower (
Beyond Session Counting: A Program Development Model for Information Literacy in a Liberal Arts College
Get PDFAcademic librarians have long struggled to evaluate, report, promote and grow library services in order to effect positive changes in curricula. Metrics reported to faculty and administration generally include how many information literacy sessions are taught, how many students were present, and what subject areas were taught. However, merely counting information literacy sessions does not convey goals, opportunity, or progress. The Information Literacy Program Development Model (ILPDM) described in this article demonstrates how academic librarians at a small, liberal arts college moved beyond counting the number of information literacy sessions as a measure of value by clearly defining what a successful information literacy program should look like, and by demonstrating the impact, strengths, and limitations of a developing information literacy program. The model further allows librarians to track progress and identify opportunities for information literacy in each department and program across campus, and provides focal points for goal setting, outreach, and assessment. The model is adapted from the software industry’s Capability Maturity Model (CMM), later known as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), which tracks the evolution of complex processes along a continuum of five development levels
Human Centered Projects and Survivorship Bias The Perceived Success of Project Outcomes?
Get PDFDue to the bias that process design demands, we forget the example given by failed projects. The tendency to focus on success was first noted during WWII and named Survivorship Bias. This means that as project professionals, we tend to look at projects that completed successfully to identify desirable patterns for repeatability in process and practice. This leads project professionals to seek out patterns based on successful past practice modeled by successful leaders. Project Managers are trained and heavily focused on Scope, Schedule, and Cost. Perhaps the common constraints and practices of project management may be positively impacted by human centered management practices regardless of the success of the process design
Patient Frailty: A Review
Get PDFAccording to Geriator (2011), frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes such as falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality. An operational definition of frailty is the existence of at least three out of five observable criteria indicating compromised energetics: low grip strength; low energy; slowed walking speed; low physical activity; and unintentional weight loss (Fried, et al. 2001).
According to Dubois and Charpillet (2017), most transitions into frailty are due to unintentional weight loss which, in turn, impacts gait performance and subsequent general mobility. In this literature review, the focus is on those patients whose gait performance is compromised. As the common chain of events in this syndrome proceeds, poor gait performance results in low physical activity, decreasing muscular activity, and causing poor balance. Sarcopenia, exhaustion, poor gait performance and depression are primary risk factors for falls. This review also focuses on patients who are cared for at the home by the family physician, nurses, and family members.
Research Question: How do existing methods identify patient frailty and what interventions can reduce adverse health outcomes and health care costs as well as maintain living at home for frail patients
Roguelike Development
Get PDFI started the process of Game Development on an arena-based roguelike game, using the Construct 3 engine for the development. This included documents with the design process timeline, as well as design documents for content within the game
A Statistical Study into the Number of Hours Students at Harrisburg University Spend on Social Media
Get PDFThe aim of the study is to examine the number of hours that Harrisburg University students spent on social media during their spare time. The purpose of the study is to raise awareness among students about the possible negative impacts of excessive social media usage on their academic performance, social interactions, and sleep duration. Additionally, the study explored the relationship between social media use and academic performance. To collect data, we surveyed one hundred and fifty students from Harrisburg University. The survey consisted of questions related to the number of hours spent on social media during spare time. The respondents were asked to choose between specific categories provided by the researchers, such as 1-3 hours, 4-6 hours, etc. This resulted in categorical data that was analyzed using statistical methods. We hypothesized that 60% of survey respondents would spend 3+ hours per day on social media in their spare time. The study\u27s findings would help to raise awareness among students about the need to limit social media use and concentrate more on their academics, sleep, and physical activities
Development of a Novel Serum Formulation for the Treatment of C. acnes
Get PDFAcne impacts 85% of people between 12-24 years of age. Even after puberty, acne continues to impact a large portion of the population. The treatments are diverse and include prescription drugs. Through this research, a novel formulation was created for the skin to treat acne. This formulation incorporates salicylic acid, a non-prescription acne treatment, as well as a polymeric carbohydrate (hyaluronic acid) known to be a component of skin and involved in the healing of skin. Through an internship with Island Lux Essentials, a company devoted to making all natural body care products, a novel serum formulation was created to specifically address acne-prone skin. Following positive consumer feedback, the quantitative effect of the serum formulation on the growth of C. acnes in comparison to other treatments was determined and shows promising results
Would You Choose the Same Nationality If You Were Born Again?
Get PDFNationality is an important element in the formation of identity, but this brings up a question; that is whether people are proud of their nationality. Thus, we decided to investigate how many people would prefer to have the same nationality if they were born again. This survey is important because it could provide an opportunity to recognize people\u27s interest in other countries and their patriotis
Effects of Growth Rate on Peptidoglycan Crosslink Density of E. coli Using Fluorescent Labeling
Get PDFPeptidoglycan (PG) is a polymer composed of polysaccharides and crosslinked peptide chains found in bacterial cell walls. It helps to protect the cell from environmental stress and maintain cell morphology throughout its life cycle and further generations. The PG is made up of two sugars, N-acetyl muramic acid (NAM) and N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG). NAM and NAG are connected by glycosidic linkages to form repeated chains. The chains are formed in layers, which are interconnected via a polypeptide stem linked by a peptide bridge. During cell growth, continuous turnover of existing PG occurs by severing existing crosslinks, inserting new PG into the existing PG, and recross-linking. Previous research shows that an increased growth rate results in longer rod-shaped bacteria with decreased crosslink density. On the other hand, slower growing cells, resulted in shorter cells, but minimal change in crosslink density. This project will focus on using fluorescently labeled D-amino acids (FDAA) and fluorescently labeled vancomycin on Escherichia coli to visualize changes in crosslink density of varying cellular growth rates
