scholarly journals Potential Application of Algae in Biodegradation of Phenol: A Review and Bibliometric Study

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2677
Author(s):  
Syahirah Batrisyia Mohamed Radziff ◽  
Siti Aqlima Ahmad ◽  
Noor Azmi Shaharuddin ◽  
Faradina Merican ◽  
Yih-Yih Kok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenol Degradation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Metabolic Degradation ◽  
Innovative Techniques

One of the most severe environmental issues affecting the sustainable growth of human society is water pollution. Phenolic compounds are toxic, hazardous and carcinogenic to humans and animals even at low concentrations. Thus, it is compulsory to remove the compounds from polluted wastewater before being discharged into the ecosystem. Biotechnology has been coping with environmental problems using a broad spectrum of microorganisms and biocatalysts to establish innovative techniques for biodegradation. Biological treatment is preferable as it is cost-effective in removing organic pollutants, including phenol. The advantages and the enzymes involved in the metabolic degradation of phenol render the efficiency of microalgae in the degradation process. The focus of this review is to explore the trends in publication (within the year of 2000–2020) through bibliometric analysis and the mechanisms involved in algae phenol degradation. Current studies and publications on the use of algae in bioremediation have been observed to expand due to environmental problems and the versatility of microalgae. VOSviewer and SciMAT software were used in this review to further analyse the links and interaction of the selected keywords. It was noted that publication is advancing, with China, Spain and the United States dominating the studies with total publications of 36, 28 and 22, respectively. Hence, this review will provide an insight into the trends and potential use of algae in degradation.

scholarly journals The Limitations of Legal Institutions For Addressing Environmental Risks

1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter S Menell
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Environmental Liability ◽  
Scientific Background ◽  
Tort System

This article assesses the major systems of environmental liability in the United States—the toxic tort system and Superfund. The discussion of each of these areas first lays out the scientific background of the environmental problems and the applicable regulatory regime. It then analyzes the efficacy of these regimes for addressing environmental problems and suggests alternative institutional designs for better promoting the goals of equitable and cost-effective compensation of disease victims and efficient deterrence and remediation of environmental degradation.

Detection of enteroviruses in marine waters by direct RT-PCR and cell culture

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 323-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Reynolds ◽  
C. P. Gerba ◽  
I. L. Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Marine Waters ◽  
Storm Water Runoff ◽  
Routine Monitoring ◽  
Reaction Amplification

Sewage outfalls and storm water runoff introduces pathogenic human enteric viruses into marine coastal waters, which may pose a potential public health risk. Although members of the enterovirus group have been suggested as possible indicators of sewage pollution in marine waters, the lack of rapid, sensitive and cost effective methods have prevented routine monitoring in the United States. This study compared traditional cell culture and direct RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) amplification for detection of an enterovirus. Poliovirus could be recovered from 100 L of artificial seawater with an average efficiency of 77%, using adsorption and elution from electronegative filters. Viruses were eluted from the filters with 1.5% beef extract for viruses (BEV) adjusted to pH 9.5 and reconcentrated by organic flocculation to a volume of 30 mL. Substances which interfered with detection by RT-PCR were removed by treatment of the concentrates with sephadex and chelex resins. Direct RT-PCR could detect 2.5 and 0.025 PFU (plaque forming units) for single (25 cycles) and double PCR (2 × 25 cycles) in 10 μL of pure culture poliovirus samples, respectively. These methods are currently being applied to assess the occurrence of enteroviruses at marine bathing beaches influenced by sewage discharges.

BioWorma as an Aid for Controlling Ruminant Nematode Parasites

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
James E Miller ◽  
Joan M Burke ◽  
Thomas H Terrill
Keyword(s):  
Delivery System ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Nematode Parasites

Abstract Nematode-trapping fungi are biological control agents used against the larval stages of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock feces. These fungi are normal soil inhabitants where they feed on a variety of non-parasitic soil nematodes. Of the various fungi tested, Duddingtonia flagrans spores (BioWorma, International Animal Health Products, Australia) have been shown to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. After defecation, the spores germinate and grow in the feces to form sticky, sophisticated traps/loops which are able to trap the developing larval stages in the fecal environment. This form of control has been successfully applied under field conditions and is an environmentally safe biological approach for forage-based feeding systems. BioWorma has recently been approved for use in the United States. The primary delivery system is mixing BioWorma into supplement feedstuffs daily where each animal has the opportunity to consume an adequate amount of the mixture. To achieve optimum control of larvae during the transmission season (May–October), BioWorma needs to be fed for a period of no shorter than 60 days, starting at the beginning of the grazing season (especially young after weaning). Feeding BioWorma to dams during late pregnancy and lactation will also help to reduce pasture contamination, especially for growing young that will graze the same pasture. Another delivery system is mixing BioWorma into loose mineral supplement where animals will consume it free choice. The mineral needs to be kept covered and dry. The spores cannot be incorporated into pellets as the heat of the pelleting process will kill the spores. One drawback in using BioWorma is the relatively high cost. Research is being conducted to evaluate other delivery schemes that could be more cost effective. This product is the only control method that targets nematodes on pasture, where a majority of the total population reside.

scholarly journals Photodegradation of Phenolic Compounds from Water in the Presence of a Pd-Containing Exhausted Adsorbent

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 8440
Author(s):  
Lavinia Lupa ◽  
Laura Cocheci ◽  
Bogdan Trica ◽  
Adina Coroaba ◽  
Adriana Popa
Keyword(s):  
Phenol Degradation ◽  
Magnesium Silicate ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Liquid Ratio ◽  
Phenol Solution ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Great Economic Importance ◽  
Phenol Photodegradation ◽  
Cyphos Il 101 ◽  
Solid Liquid

A closed-cycle technology regarding the use of an exhausted Pd-based adsorbent as a photocatalyst in the degradation process of phenol is presented. Pd (II) represents a precious metal of great economic importance. Its obtained from natural sources become more difficult to achieve. Therefore, also considering the regulations of the “circular economy,” its recovery from secondary sources turn out to be a stringent issue in the last years. Pd(II) ions are removed from aqueous solution through adsorption onto Florisil (an inorganic solid support—magnesium silicate) impregnated with Cyphos IL 101 (trihexyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride). It was observed that the presence of the ionic liquid (IL) in the adsorbent structure doubles the adsorption efficiency of the studied materials. The newly obtained Pd-based photocatalyst was exhaustively characterized and was used in the degradation process of phenol from aqueous solutions. The phenol degradation process was studied in terms of the nature of the photocatalyst used, time of photodegradation and solid: liquid ratio. It was observed that both the presence of IL and Pd lead to an increase in the efficiency of the phenol degradation process. The new Pd-based photocatalyst could be efficiently used in more cycles of phenol photodegradation processes. When is used as a photocatalyst the Florisil impregnated with IL and loaded with 2 mg/g of Pd, a degree of mineralization of 93.75% is obtained after 180 min of irradiation of a phenol solution having a concentration of 20 mg/L and using a solid:liquid ratio = 1:1.

Response to Dr Stone

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 850-851
Author(s):  
Howard A. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Maintenance Organizations ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Effective Care ◽  
Quality Health

Dr Elsa Stone, in her usual organized and lucid fashion, has presented the case for inclusion of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) in private pediatric practices. She bases her conclusions on her nearly 10 years of positive experience with a PNP in her own practice in Connecticut. Dr Stone describes the PNP population and demography, describes the training curriculum of PNPs, and discusses the scope of work of these individuals. She concludes that "there is substantial evidence that PNPs provide quality health care and that collaborative teams of pediatricians and PNPs can provide high-quality, cost-effective care to a broader spectrum of children than can be served by either profession alone." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has insisted for several years that there is a shortage of pediatricians to meet the expanding needs of the children of the United States. Furthermore, pediatricians—because of system changes—will be expected increasingly to provide a variety of time-intensive services. Dr Stone believes that many of these services can be well provided by PNPs. Within the AAP, there have been some concerns about the role of PNPs. Of particular worry seems to be the possibility that PNPs might decide to practice independently, leading to a lower quality of care for their patients. Less often stated, but clearly an issue, is that PNPs are viewed by some pediatricians as potential competitors. Dr Stone's demographic analysis of what PNPs are currently doing is relevant to these concerns. One third of PNPs work in private pediatric practices or health maintenance organizations.

QS-9000 – Using the Automotive Requirements to Improve Existing ISO 9000 Systems

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.F. Young
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Iso 9000 ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality System ◽  
General Motors ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Cost Of Quality ◽  
Improvement Programs

Abstract In this paper, we will discuss how to incorporate several of the QS-9000 quality system requirements into an existing ISO 9000 quality system. This expansion of the existing quality system will be cost effective and ensure that the continuous improvement program will meet its goals. The QS-9000 quality system was developed in 1994 by the "Big Three" automotive and truck producers in Detroit, Michigan. This document, originated in the United States, is based upon the International Standard: ISO 9001-94. It is mandatory that any supplier of goods and/or services to either Chrysler, Ford or General Motors must have their quality system registered to the QS-9000 standard. We believe that there can be benefits to non-automotive organizations if they will incorporate some of the QS-9000 clauses into their current ISO 9000 quality systems. We will discuss actual cases in the following areas: purchasing, safety, process control, training, business management and continuous improvement. We will show how these examples of quality system enhancement are both effective and efficient ways of driving cost reduction and process improvement programs. Cost of quality initiatives can be better managed.

Impact of Government Bailout on Banks’ Cost of Equity: Additional Evidence from the Financial Bailout of 2008–2009

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 2150003
Author(s):  
Daphne Wang ◽  
Robert Houmes ◽  
Thanh Ngo ◽  
Omar Esqueda
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Ownership ◽  
The United States ◽  
Matched Sample ◽  
Cost Of Equity ◽  
Troubled Asset Relief Program ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Relief Program ◽  
Robust Evidence

The Capital Purchase Program (CPP) was the first and most significant program under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) during 2008–2009 financial crisis. This study evaluates the effect of the CPP during this period on the cost of equity of 170 publicly listed banks in the United States that received funding. To control for the potential effects of endogeneity on our results, we use a propensity score matched sample of non-CPP banks. Using this approach, we document robust evidence that the liquidity provided by the government bailout reduced the cost of equity for recipient banks, especially for those banks that repaid their bailout funds in full. This decrease in the cost of equity is particularly significant for banks with high market-to-book ratios, low concentrations of institutional ownership, and those banks with at least one large blockholder. Our findings have important implications for the assessment of government bailout programs and the future regulation of financial institutions.

A Tool for Designing Policy Packages To Achieve India’s Climate Targets: Methods, Data, and Reference Scenario of the India Energy Policy Simulator

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepthi Swamy ◽  
Apurba Mitra ◽  
Varun Agarwal ◽  
Megan Mahajan ◽  
Robbie Orvis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Reference Scenario ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Business As Usual

India is currently the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) after China and the United States and is set to experience continued growth in its population, economy, and energy consumption. Exploring low-carbon development pathways for India is therefore crucial for achieving the goal of global decarbonization. India has pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 33–35 per cent relative to 2005 levels by 2030 through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), among other related targets for the renewable energy and forestry sectors. Further, countries, including India, are expected to respond to the invitation of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Paris Agreement to communicate new or updated NDCs with enhanced ambition and long-term low-GHG development strategies for 2050. To design effective policy packages to support the planning and achievement of such climate targets, policymakers need to identify policies that can reduce GHG emissions in a timely and cost-effective manner, while meeting development-related and other national objectives. The India Energy Policy Simulator (India EPS), an open-source, system dynamics model, can enable an integrated quantitative assessment of different cross-sectoral climate policy packages for India through 2050 and their implications for key variables of interest such as emissions, GDP, and jobs. The tool was developed by Energy Innovation LLC and adapted for India in partnership with World Resources Institute. It is available for open access through a Web interface as well as a downloadable application. This technical note describes the structure, input data sources, assumptions, and limitations of the India EPS, as well as the setup and key results of its reference scenario, referred to as the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario in the model. It is intended as an update to the first technical note on the India EPS (Mangan et al. 2019) and accounts for the changes incorporated into the model since the first version.

scholarly journals Surgical instrumentation: the true cost of instrument trays and a potential strategy for optimization

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Mhlaba ◽  
Emily W. Stockert ◽  
Martin Coronel ◽  
Alexander J. Langerman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
Instrument Type ◽  
Hospital Revenue ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
The Cost

Objective: Operating rooms (OR) generate a large portion of hospital revenue and waste. Consequently, improving efficiency and reducing waste is a high priority. Our objective was to quantify waste associated with opened but unused instruments from trays and to compare this with the cost of individually wrapping instruments.Methods: Data was collected from June to November of 2013 in a 550-bed hospital in the United States. We recorded the instrument usage of two commonly-used trays for ten cases each. The time to decontaminate and reassemble instrument trays and peel packs was measured, and the cost to reprocess one instrument was calculated.Results: Average utilization was 14% for the Plastic Soft Tissue Tray and 29% for the Major Laparotomy Tray. Of 98 instruments in the Plastics tray (n = 10), 0% was used in all cases observed and 59% were used in no observed cases. Of 110 instruments in the Major Tray (n = 10), 0% was used in all cases observed and 25% were used in no observed cases. Average cost to reprocess one instrument was $0.34-$0.47 in a tray and $0.81-$0.84 in a peel pack, or individually-wrapped instrument.Conclusions: We estimate that the cost of peel packing an instrument is roughly two times the cost of tray packing. Therefore, it becomes more cost effective from a processing standpoint to package an instrument in a peel pack when there is less than a 42%-56% probability of use depending on instrument type. This study demonstrates an opportunity for reorganization of instrument delivery that could result in a significant cost-savings and waste reduction.

Program Review of Community Residential Care

2000 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24
Author(s):  
Annie R. Pope ◽  
Daniel E. Rodell ◽  
Ron L. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Residential Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Program Review ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Client Characteristics

This article provides an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Residential Care Program and summarizes key literature about programs developed in the United States Descriptive data for 1995 and 1996 are provided to assist program planners in comparing and contrasting client characteristics and services. The authors conclude that, in addition to being cost effective, the residential care program strengthens relationships between the health care facility and the community it serves.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document