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The importance of land use on public health. Case studies from the Rivanna River Watershed.
No full textIntroduction: Safe and reliable water is vital to sustaining the environment and human health. However, factors including an expanding population, aging infrastructure, climate change, emerging contaminants, nonpoint source pollutants, and outdated regulations pose serious threats to water quality and public health. The overall purpose of this research was to examine the land use patterns and potential risk factors impacting the Rivanna River Watershed surrounding Charlottesville, Virginia, with respect to water quality and public health. The ecological model was selected as the overarching framework for examining three case studies. The primary research aims for each case study were to, i) examine statistical associations between deforestation and urban development on the drinking water treatment process in the Rivanna River Watershed; ii) assess the relationship between increased chemical use in public drinking water and associated economic costs, and iii) investigate disparities and equitable communication of recreational water impairment among different populations. Methods: Secondary data for this project were obtained from multiple governmental sources including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Health, and Rivanna Service Authority. Linear regression and correlation analysis were used to identify relationships between land use, water quality, and public health. Results: The decrease of forested land cover and the increase of impervious surface have negative impact on watershed health and surface water quality, increasing the risk of negative health outcomes. Raw water turbidity levels increased 13.59%, requiring increased treatment chemical use ranging from 7.59% to 107.87%. Rising treatment costs of 33% per MG of water treated resulted in a 20.28% increase in wholesale water rates, and 14-32% increases in customer water utility rates. Despite increasing numbers of biologically impaired waters, recreational use of the James and Rivanna Rivers increased, indicating ineffective water quality communication. Conclusion: An integrated view of water resource management involving collaboration between land owners, public health and land managers to increase source water protection can promote equitable access to safe water
Search strategy for a narrative literature review evaluating lithium dosing and titration for in-patient psychiatric hospitalizations
No full textthis is the search strategy developed in PubMed for a narrative review of lithium dosing and titration for in-patient psychiatric hospitalization
Characteristics of Magnetic Nanoformulations and their Properties to treat Cancer via Magneto-mechanical Actuation
No full textRenowned as the most lethal disease of world history, cancer continues to take the lives of millions of people across the globe. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that about 1,000 patients die every day from cancer. Scientists have primarily used treatments such as chemotherapy and ionizing radiation to treat cancer. Although these treatments hold the disease at bay, they have side effects that are detrimental to patient quality of life. Therefore, there is a strong need for a new, less detrimental cancer treatment. We propose a novel treatment in which nitrodopamine polyethylene glycol coated cubic iron oxide nanoparticles (ND-PEG CIONPs) are absorbed by cells and actuated by alternating magnetic fields (AMF), which can translate magnetic forces into mechanical agitation via magneto mechanical actuation (MMA). In this treatment, ND-PEG CIONPs will first be tested for stability and diffusion in water and cell culture media using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Once stable, they will be incubated with human adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells followed by cellular uptake studies. The particle-containing cells will be treated with AMF at initial conditions of 100 mT pulse, 65 Hz frequency, for 30min (5 min on/off intervals). Cell viability studies will then be performed after magnetic treatment via CCK-8 and PrestoBlue reagent assays to determine the optimal concentration of ND-PEG CIONP and incubation time to maximize cell killing rates. Magnetic fields parameters will be adjusted to optimize this response. MMA is anticipated to cause shear stress on the cytoskeleton of MCF-7 cells and induce apoptotic cell death. This approach represents a step further to advance the field of cancer therapeutics utilizing modern-day technology and serves as a less harmful alternative to current cancer treatments
IDENTIFICATION OF miRNA IMPLICIT IN THE TRANSGENERATION BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF PARENTAL NICOTINE USE
No full textNicotine consumption has experienced a significant uptick in recent years, prompting growing concerns about its impact, particularly among adolescents, and raising a public health concern about the potential transgenerational effects of its use. To shed light on this issue, we conducted
a study utilizing a C. elegans model. By focusing solely on the parental generation's exposure to nicotine, we gained valuable insights into the behavioral patterns of parental and subsequent generations (0, 1,2). Our investigation revealed addictive behaviors such as withdrawal and tolerance prominently observed in the 1 and 2 generations. Complementing our behavioral analysis, our laboratory has pinpointed several miRNAs that undergo upregulation in response to nicotine exposure. Consequently, our next steps involve targeted suppression of these miRNAs to deepen our understanding of the pathways underlying nicotine addiction
Mining for Cryptocurrencies, Extracting from Communities? A Case Study of Belvoir
No full textHundreds of studies conclude that, generally, ethnic minorities, indigenous persons, people of color, and low-income communities confront a higher burden of environmental exposure from air, water, and soil pollution from industrial facilities. This is due to entrenched segregation, racially motivated decisions in the zoning ordinances, eminent domain, (lack of) government regulations, and urban renewal. However, most Environmental Justice research has focused on proximity to hazardous waste sites and facilities (landfills, incinerators, superfund sites, etc.) In the Fall of 2021, Compute North (a Minnesota-based technology firm) sought a special use permit to operate a cryptocurrency mining facility in Belvoir, Pitt County. The project prompted protests when it became clear the proposed site was close to an elementary school in the predominantly Hispanic and African American community. This case study examined what aspects of (or lack thereof) of the proposal for Compute North to build a crypto-currency facility in Pitt County that reflected transparency; how community members were able to participate in the process and if this participation full and equitable, and lastly, the case study examined community members' perceptions of fairness regarding their participation and access to support and information during this process. Cryptocurrency has gained significant attention in recent years as a decentralized digital currency that uses cryptography to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. Crypto-mining and blockchain are relatively new technologies that hold promise for the future of digital finance and the internet of things (IoT). Even though cryptocurrency is a virtual currency, its production is not done in isolation. Cryptocurrency has spatial and social implications for the communities where mining occurs. Some studies have explored the energy consumption and carbon emissions of cryptocurrency mining. The noise pollution associated with crypto mining is also an emerging environmental justice issue. There is also concern about the slew of electronic wastes created by the specialized hardware required to mine crypto. One key area that has not gotten any attention in academic scholarship is the environmental justice dimensions of crypto-mining facilities siting. Using the theoretical frameworks of procedural justice, I analyzed the primary and secondary data (interviews, news articles, minutes of public hearings, etc.) through the lens of narrative analysis to identify themes and patterns within the stories and to understand the social and cultural context in which the stories are situated. The case study serves as a potent reminder of the need for continued vigilance and activism to ensure that all communities, regardless of race, have equal access to environmental benefits and protections. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that these communities are genuinely empowered with the necessary resources, information, and support to contribute meaningfully to environmental decision-making
Search Strategy for the Relationship Between Metabolic Energy Expenditure and Gait Speed in People with Lower Limb Amputation
No full textAddressing the Critical Workforce Shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
No full textExecutive summary for completion of DNP project.D.N.P
The Influence of Participation Attributes on Veterans’ Sense of Community in Adaptive Sport & Recreation Programs
No full textMany veterans experience traumatic events throughout their service that can lead to injuries, disabilities, and problems transitioning back to civilian life (Ahern et al., 2015). United States veterans are a unique and complex population that can experience many injuries, problems, and obstacles in life after military service (Olenick et al., 2015). One such issue is often community reintegration, where an individual struggles to live independently and participate in social and societal norms, roles, and responsibilities (Dijkeres, 1998). One aspect to community reintegration is fostering a sense of community between individuals and their community of support. Adaptive sports and recreation (ASR) have long been used as a rehabilitation tool and researchers have demonstrated the increasing benefits of participation for individuals with disabilities in domains such as community reintegration, quality of life, and sense of community (Iverson et al., 2021). In this quasi-experimental study, the influence of ASR attributes (intensity, frequency, duration, and social structure) on sense of community in veterans was examined. Results found that there were no significant (p[greater-than].05) relationships between ASR attributes and sense of community in veterans. A discussion is provided on the importance of the inherent social nature of adaptive sports and recreation regardless of activity structure. Implications of this study provide insight into how an ASR program fosters a sense of community in veterans and a greater understanding of the role of ASR in promoting community reintegration in veterans
Examining Population Genetics and Disease Incidence in Local Grass Shrimp Species
No full textIn coastal ecosystems, Palaemon spp. (P. pugio, P. vulgaris, and P. intermedius) are ecologically significant species that serve as food sources and bioindicators. They may also be potential reservoir species for an emerging pathogen that infects commercially valuable penaeid shrimp species in coastal North Carolina (NC). Shrimp Black Gill (sBG) is a pathology caused by the ciliate parasite Hyalophysa lynni. This disease has been shown to negatively impact commercial shrimp populations in Georgia and South Carolina, but it represents a recent climate-induced spread into temperate waters, including North Carolina. By analyzing grass shrimp species collected from NC estuarine populations in the Pamlico Sound, my investigation aimed to (1) determine the species composition of grass shrimp and gene flow among populations, and (2) use microscopy and PCR-based tools to determine the proportion of shrimp infected (i.e., infection prevalence) by Hyalophysa lynni. Altogether, genetic tools allowed me to identify the three species of grass shrimp across five sites in the Pamlico Sound, and I found P. pugio to be in the greatest proportion among all grass shrimp at these sites. I also found all three grass shrimp harbored the ciliate that causes sBG. Because grass shrimp inhabit Pamlico Sound year-round, they may serve as reservoir hosts for commercially valuable species, like Penaeid shrimp and blue crabs, which migrate into the Sound at certain times of the year. My research helps to provide a better understanding of the species’ composition, migration, and disease incidence of grass shrimp in our local estuaries. By understanding disease prevalence and species movements in these systems, we can better understand the impact of emerging diseases and use these baseline data to investigate transmission, infection, and long-term impacts of sBG in the Pamlico Sound in the future
Gender Differences in Spending Habits in Young Adults with ADHD: A Pilot Study
No full textThis study was conducted to determine whether there is a significant relationship between ADHD symptoms and impulsive spending habits between men and women. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was used to evaluate participants’ ADHD symptoms and the Buying Impulsiveness Scale was used to evaluate spending impulsivity. Participants were also asked demographic questions, including whether they are currently diagnosed with and/or medicated for ADHD. The results showed that participants with self-reported ADHD diagnoses showed significantly higher spending impulsivity than those without self-reported ADHD. However, participants who scored higher on the ASRS showed higher, but not significantly higher, scores on the BIS. There were no significant gender differences detected in this sample. Future research should leave data collection open for a longer time frame to collect more responses and should advertise to more diverse populations