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Evaluating Sustainable Options for Valorization of Rice By-Products in Sri Lanka: An Approach for a Circular Business Model
Get PDFDue to the significant quantities of waste generated by the Sri Lankan rice industry, circular bioeconomy methodologies were applied to examine value-adding entrepreneurial activities for rice industry by-products (RIB). The study was conceived after scouring the existing literature on agricultural waste management and interviewing experts in the field and the rice industry. In the first phase, the suitability of valorizing alternatives for RIB was considered via a multi-criteria decision-making method. Valorization options, such as biochar production, energy purposes, composting, and other activities, were evaluated using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based on four criteria, namely environmental, social, technical, and economic issues. The results indicated that the highest priority should be given to environmental, social, and economic considerations, with local priority vectors of 0.5887, 0.2552, and 0.0955, respectively. It was found that biochar production is the optimal valorization strategy for managing RIB in Sri Lanka. From these findings, the development of a sustainable business model for making biochar out of RIB was done based on commercial motivations and value addition in biochar manufacturing processes. The Business Model Canvas elements played a vital role in categorizing and interpreting the case study data. Though the RIB seems undervalued at present, it was found that as a direct result of environmental concerns, several stakeholders have developed RIB valorization with an emphasis on bioenergy generation and biochar production. Adequate subsidies (technology and knowledge), standard regulations, more collective actions for creating economies of scale, and marketing strategies (consumer awareness) are all necessary for the successful implementation of sustainable circular business models
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Pathogenic and Commensal Bacteria Recovered from Cattle and Goat Farms
Get PDFThe use of antibiotics in food animals results to antimicrobial resistant bacteria that complicates the ability to treat infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pathogenic and commensal bacteria in soil, water, manure, and milk from cattle and goat farms. A total of 285 environmental and 81 milk samples were analyzed for Enterobacteriaceae by using biochemical and PCR techniques. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. A total of 15 different Enterobacteriaceae species were identified from goat and cattle farms. Manure had significantly higher (p \u3c 0.05) Enterobacteriaceae (52.0%) than soil (37.2%), trough water (5.4%), and runoff water (5.4%). There was a significant difference (p \u3c 0.05) in Enterobacteriaceae in goat milk (53.9%) and cow milk (46.2%). Enterobacteriaceae from environment showed 100% resistance to novobiocin, erythromycin, and vancomycin E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Enterococcus spp., and Listeria monocytogenes displayed three, five, six, and ten. AMR patterns, respectively. NOV-TET-ERY-VAN was the most common phenotype observed in all isolates. Our study suggest that cattle and goat farms are reservoirs of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Food animal producers should be informed on the prudent use of antimicrobials, good agricultural practices, and biosecurity measures
Public Health Importance of Preventive Measures for Salmonella Tennessee and Salmonella Typhimurium Strain LT2 Biofilms
Get PDFVarious serovars of Salmonella had been the subject of research for over 150 years; nonetheless, the bacterium has remained an important pathogen of public health concern to date. The tremendous ability of Salmonella to form biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces is an important underlying reason for the prevalence of this opportunistic pathogen in healthcare, manufacturing, and the food chain. The current study illustrates that using very common industrial antimicrobial treatments at the highest concentrations suggested by the manufacturers is only efficacious against planktonic and one-day mature biofilms of the pathogen while exhibiting a lack of efficacy for complete removal of bacterial biofilms formed for longer than 2 days. This exhibits the importance of preventive measures against Salmonella biofilm formation in healthcare and manufacturing facilities, schools, nursing homes, and domestic environments. Additionally, our study illustrates the importance of including both planktonic and sessile cells of the pathogen in microbiology validation studies, especially for niche and hard-to-reach surfaces. The current study additionally investigated the suitability of an avirulent strain of the pathogen as a surrogate for pathogenic Salmonella serovars for public health microbiology validation studies when the use of virulent strains is not economically feasible or not possible due to safety concerns
Tree Architecture and Powdery Mildew Resistance of Yellow-flowering Magnolias in Tennessee, USA
Get PDFMagnolias (Magnolia sp.) are economically important woody ornamental plants; however, plant damage associated with frost and powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni and Phyllactinia corylea) disease is a major production challenge. To understand the tree architecture and powdery mildew resistance, 26 yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b). One-year-old containerized trees were planted in a field plot during Mar 2006, with 4.6-m plant-to-plant and 3.7-m row-to-row spacing. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with three single-plant replications. Plant height and canopy diameter were measured on Dec 2016 and Feb 2018, and the apical dominance ratio (i.e., indicating tree architecture) was calculated by dividing the height by the canopy diameter. Plants were evaluated for powdery mildew severity and defoliation using a scale of 0% to 100% of the total plant canopy affected or defoliated, respectively, from Aug to Oct of 2016 and 2017. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for the evaluation period of each year. The plant apical dominance ratio ranged from 1 to 3, with ‘Gold Cup’ and ‘Sun Spire’ having the highest value, and ‘Lois’, ‘Gold Star’, ‘Golden Gala’, ‘Solar Flair’, ‘Stellar Acclaim’, ‘Sun Ray’, ‘Sunburst’, and ‘Sundance’ having the lowest value (i.e., relatively round shape). Of the 26 cultivars, Sundance, Sun Spire, Sun Ray, and Gold Cup had the lowest powdery mildew severity (10% to 33% in 2016 and 40% to 60% in 2017), AUDPC, and defoliation. Cultivars Anilou, Gold Star, Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Golden Sun, Green Bee, Honey Liz, Judy Zuk, Koban Dori, Lois, Solar Flair, Stellar Acclaim, and Yellow Bird were highly susceptible to powdery mildew (\u3e80% disease severity) and had the highest AUDPC values. Results of this research may aid breeders, nursery producers, and landscapers when selecting yellow-flowering magnolia cultivars with desirable tree architecture and resistance to powdery mildew
Advocating Elementary ELL Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Implementing Sheltered Instructional Strategies
No full textThe purpose of this study was to analyze the use of reading strategies being implemented in an urban school district in the Southeast. This study was framed on the SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Model (Echevarria et al., 2017). SIOP is an instructional framework that has been used in K-12 schools since the 1980s. It is a framework for instruction that encourages teachers to set students up for success by consciously and deliberately connecting them to the content, the language, and one another. This research analyzed the results of a Likert scale survey to determine teachers’ perceptions of the reading strategies taught in their classrooms. A cross-sectional survey research design was utilized for this study. A questionnaire, ELL Teachers’ Perceptions of Sheltered Instructional Strategies, was created from the literature on sheltered instruction, particularly the SIOP® Model. To check instrument reliability and validity, the survey was field-tested with twelve ELL teachers from schools in the Middle Tennessee area. Fifteen individuals were invited to participate in the SIOP survey, and twelve individuals responded. To validate the survey, specifically regarding “clarity” and “relevance” of constructs, an expert panel was consulted. The participants were considered experts based on their current roles as ELL teachers. Among the major findings of the study included: statistically significant difference in perceptions by (a)Years of Experience, (b) Number of ELL Courses Taken in Undergraduate Program, and (c) Graduate Degree Major
Understanding Partner Selection in Black Queer Men
No full textThe LGBTQIA (Queer) community, particularly men seeking other men as romantic partners, are very selective in choosing a potential partner. Sexual racism is an occurrence that is rapidly emerging within the community. Research has asserted that cisgender, gay, White men are most specific, as they use race as a preference for partner selection. Selection among men in this community appears to be influenced by heteronormative ideals as many, including men of color, seek a White male, that is masculine, a certain age, and with a fit, muscular physique. The literature is lacking when discussing the preferences of men of color. It also fails to discuss which factors influence partner selection among Black men seeking to date or have sex with other men. This study examined the predictive relationship of racial identity, sexual role identity, political identity politics, colorism, and experiences to explore the relative influence on interracial dating attitudes and preference for a particular partner. The study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed method research design that will occur in two phases: quantitative and qualitative. Constructs of the racial identity, sexual role identity, political identity politics, colorism, and experiences were explored
Phthalic Anhydride, New Reagent with Organotrifluoroborates for the Direct Aroylation Reaction
No full textWe have devised a novel approach for the synthesis of aromatic ketones via a one-step direct aroylation process. This innovative method employs aroyl chlorides and potassium organotrifluoroborates as reactants, with palladium catalysis facilitating the reaction in the presence of a microwave system. Furthermore, we have introduced phthalic anhydride as a pioneering source of aroyl moieties, enabling cross-coupling with potassium organotrifluoroborates to generate the desired products. Collectively, these breakthroughs have substantially advanced the realm of organic synthesis, paving the way for efficient and expeditious production of crucial compounds
Evaluation of eastern gamagrass as dual-purpose complementary bioenergy and forage feedstock to switchgrass
Get PDFSwitchgrass (SG) is considered a model bioenergy crop and a warm-season perennial grass (WSPG) that traditionally served as forage feedstock in the United States. To avoid the sole dependence on SG for bioenergy production, evaluation of other crops to diversify the pool of feedstock is needed. We conducted a 3-year field experiment evaluating eastern gamagrass (GG), another WSPG, as complementary feedstock to SG in one- and two-cut systems, with or without intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch, and under different nitrogen (N) application rates. Our results showed that GG generally produced lower biomass (by 29.5%), theoretical ethanol potential (TEP, by 2.8%), and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY, by 32.9%) than corresponding SG under the same conditions. However, forage quality measures, namely acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and elements P, K, Ca, and Mg were significantly higher in GG than those in SG. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhanced biomass (by 1.54 Mg ha−1), lignin content (by 2.10 g kg−1), and TEY (787.12 L ha−1) in the WSPGs compared to unfertilized treatments. Intercropping with crimson clover or hairy vetch did not significantly increase biomass of the WSPGs, or TEP and TEY in unfertilized plots. This study demonstrated that GG can serve as a complementary crop to SG and could be used as a dual-purpose crop for bioenergy and forage feedstock in farmers\u27 rotations
