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Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Carbon Removal Technologies (BECCS, DAC): Achieving Net Zero Emission Targets in California
Get PDFNegative Emission Technologies (NET), such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage
(BECCS) and Direct Air Capture (DAC), are essential to fight climate change, according to the
IPCC Report 2022. California has set a goal to capture 120 million tons of CO2 by using mixed
methods by 2045. While BECCS can remove CO2 from high emission industries such as ethanol
production, electricity generation, etc., DAC can remove CO2 emissions directly from the
atmosphere by using machine technology. This paper conducts a literature review of the overall
environmental impacts of these technologies. Then it evaluates a hypothetical scenario which
assesses the feasibility of achieving California’s negative emission targets. The findings show
that to capture the targeted 120 million tons of CO2, the state will require 1500 Climeworks
ORCA scale DAC facilities and these facilities will consume between 6,060 GWh to 10,9 GWh
of electricity annually. This is equal to the state’s 4% of the overall energy generation and 9% of
the renewable energy generation. The paper also evaluates the implementation of BECCS to
remove CO2 from high emission industries. It also concludes that, whether a BECCS process
achieves net zero emissions or not depends on its entire life cycle such as biomass need and
production, land usage, construction, transportation, etc. Finally, this paper conducts a survey of
existing policies and analyzes the feasibility above the state’s net zero emission goals. Overall,
limitations of these technologies suggest that relying on these technologies as the main solution
may not serve the best results
AI-Based Requirements Analysis Assistant that Applies Explicit Knowledge and Includes Humans in the Loop
No full textThis exploratory paper builds on the EMMSAD 2024 paper “Could a Large Language Model Contribute Significantly to Requirements Analysis?” Eight versions of each of three LLM prompts (for system structure, analysis, and recommendations) were applied to three 3000+ word case studies. Those versions expressed different “treatments” including a control with no RAG augmentation, a version with RAG augmentation based on an analysis template used by MBA and EMBA students, and six other versions based on theoretical approaches such as activity theory, a BPM design space, work system principles, and so on. The LLM responses were somewhat reliable for summarizing system structure, less reliable for summarizing an analysis, and often generic and impractical for recommendations because the LLM did not understand contexts. This new paper adds three new capabilities: 1) RAG augmentation using a knowledge base consisting of “knowledge objects” built on work system theory, 2) application of that knowledge base using chain-of-thought reasoning, 3) inclusion of direct feedback from analysts during an analysis process in order to correct errors and to extend the prompt in new directions. Examples are used to illustrate results from applying those capabilities to 3 disparate case studies
Sustainability in Professional Sports: A New Nexus of Profit and Social Responsibility
No full textThe world is facing a climate crisis – corrective action that will improve our collective situation is needed, now. Those with the power to do so, in the capitalist structure under which we live, are largely the individuals, corporations, and governments with financial resources and the platform to inspire others to act. Two such entities, complete with the financial heft to make a difference and inspiration to spare, are North America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) and Spain’s La Liga. This thesis seeks to understand what distinguishes the NBA’s approach to sustainability from La Liga, and by employing each league as a distinct case study, the teams or clubs from each may be understood as units of analysis for this phenomenon. In this study, the Golden State Warriors and Real Betis were the ideal match to examine whether organizations in each league exemplified the approach that the leagues themselves wished to model. This thesis incorporated participant observation, semi-structured qualitative interviews with sustainability experts and league and team employees, discourse analysis and on-site visits to explore the ways in which sustainability can be defined and manifest in society. After this analysis, findings included league-specific, distinct approaches to social sustainability, as well as differing beliefs from various practitioners on how to act in order to make an impact. Crucially, however, every stakeholder agreed that action must be taken in order to address our current circumstances. Recommendations included expanding sustainability frameworks in the NBA, augmenting sustainability efforts in La Liga through increased hiring for sustainability-specific roles at clubs and enhancing the league and organizational efforts by more heavily platforming their most valuable assets, the athletes. Lastly, future research ideas encompassed changing the variables of this study by engaging different countries and stakeholders like Germany or Italy or dropping the international angle to instead examine a single league and compare their organizations
Please Hold Space for Them : The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Supporting BIPOC Female Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault
No full textCampus sexual assault (CSA) remains a pervasive issue in the United States, disproportionately affecting women. Despite this, the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color (BIPOC) women are often underrepresented in the literature, limiting understanding of how best to support them. Based on intersectionality theory, this qualitative study explores how mental health professionals (MHPs) support BIPOC female survivors of CSA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six MHPs, and a thematic analysis framework uncovered seven key themes: disclosure (subtheme: barriers to disclosure), impacts of campus culture, fear and distrust, impact of campus sexual assault, coping, resources available for survivors, and effective approaches to care. Findings highlight the varying areas in which MHPs can be a supportive resource for survivors as they navigate their lives following their experience of CSA
Who Owns the Wind: The Absence of Community Wind Farms in California
No full textCommunity ownership structures for wind farms have been around for decades, particularly in European countries, due to high socioeconomic benefits. Given these significant benefits, one might expect community wind to thrive in the United States—especially in a state like California, which prides itself on progressive climate policy and renewable energy leadership. Yet utility-scale community wind remains largely absent from research on California’s energy system, raising questions about its existence in the state. To pinpoint how many utility-scale community owned wind farms are in California, this study surveys every operational wind turbine in the state. After classifying each wind farm by ownership type, analysis reveals the majority are owned under corporate structures and none under community or cooperative ownership types. To explain these results, this study explores the policy landscape influencing the development of utility-scale community wind projects. First, analyzing the different policy landscapes between the US and Europe, revealing a policy vacuum concerning federal wind incentives applicability to community wind. This lack of cohesive federal incentives has led to fragmented state policies, with a few states excelling in creating accessible, affordable, and safe community wind markets. However, California’s absence of targeted financial incentives, combined with a fragmented and burdensome regulatory framework, has made it an inhospitable environment for community wind. The local ownership of utility-scale wind energy projects has the potential to uplift the economic conditions of rural and tribal communities throughout the state. However, without meaningful policy reform, California remains an unlikely candidate for community-owned wind development, despite its vast wind resources and progressive climate goals
From Bed to Table: Improving Outcomes by Encouraging Patient Mobility During Meals
No full textAbstract
Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a preventable complication associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. Early mobility, particularly positioning patients out of bed for meals, is a key strategy to mitigate this risk. Problem: On a 42-bed telemetry unit, only 24% of eligible patients were positioned out of bed for meals. This low rate of mobility presented an opportunity to reduce the risk of HAP and improve patient outcomes. Interventions: This quality improvement initiative, guided by the Donabedian Model, employed a nurse-led intervention that included daily mobility assessments, visual bedside cues, and targeted staff education. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle framework was used to drive iterative improvements. Outcome Measure: The primary outcome was the percentage of eligible patients positioned out of bed for meals. The target was to increase from 24% to 35% by July 2025. Results: The project achieved a relative improvement of 38%, increasing the out-of-bed for meals rate from 24% to 33%. Although the target was not fully met, no new cases of HAP were recorded during the implementation period, suggesting a positive correlation between the intervention and reduced HAP risk. Conclusion: Nurse-led, structured mobility interventions can significantly improve patient positioning practices and potentially reduce hospital-acquired complications such as pneumonia. Sustained improvement may be supported through continued staff engagement and integration of mobility protocols into routine care.
Keywords: hospital-acquired pneumonia, early mobility, patient positioning, mealtime mobility, non-ventilator HAP, and quality improvement
A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Educational Initiative for Improving Hand Hygiene
No full textAbstract
Problem: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a persistent concern in assisted living facilities, often resulting from inconsistent hand hygiene practices. Although national guidelines exist, adherence remains suboptimal, especially where staff training and compliance monitoring are limited.
Context: This project took place in a 53-bed assisted living facility without a formal system to track or reinforce hand hygiene. The aim was to improve staff knowledge and promote infection prevention through education.
Interventions: A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) led an evidence-based hand hygiene education program. The intervention included interactive training, visual reminders, personal sanitizers, and leadership support during clinical huddles.
Measures: Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessed staff knowledge. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework guided refinement. Qualitative feedback was used to evaluate impact and identify ongoing barriers.
Results: Staff knowledge improved from 80% to 100% within 30 days. Participants reported greater confidence, infection prevention awareness, and engagement in promoting safety.
Conclusions: A focused educational intervention, grounded in behavioral theory and reinforced by leadership, effectively improved staff understanding of hand hygiene practices and supported a safer care environment.
Keywords: hand hygiene, infection prevention, assisted living, Clinical Nurse Leader, health belief model, quality improvement, staff education, patient safet
Integrating SBIRT Training into the Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum: A Pilot DNP Project
No full textBackground: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are major public health concerns, particularly in underserved populations. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is evidence-based models that promote early detection and care. Integrating SBIRT into Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curricula prepares future providers to address substance use in primary care. Local Problem: Despite the effectiveness of SBIRT, its use in primary care remains inconsistent. Barriers, including limited training, low confidence, and unfamiliarity with referral resources, hinder implementation. Structured education and protocols are needed to support provider readiness. Methods: SBIRT was integrated into the FNP curriculum of a private northern California university through instruction in screening tools, motivational interviewing, and referral processes. Students applied skills during supervised clinical rotations. Pre- and post-training assessments measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Interventions: This DNP-led quality improvement project enhanced SBIRT education using simulation case studies, structured didactics, and preceptor guidance, thereby strengthening student competency. Results: Post-training assessments showed increases in SBIRT knowledge and confidence. Students demonstrated improved motivational interviewing skills and adopted more compassionate, stigma-reducing approaches to care. Conclusions: Integrating SBIRT into FNP education effectively prepares students to assess patients for SUD and AUD. It supports early intervention, patient-centered care, and better behavioral health outcomes in primary care. Keywords: Substance Use Disorder, SBIRT, Curriculum, Primary Care, Graduate nursing student