The purpose of this study is to explore the biological effects of ultrasound exposure on growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The result shows the biological effects of ultrasound exposure. The resonance frequencies and a non-resonance frequency were used with different intensities to find the relations between ultrasonic and cell growth. The methods of this study adopted finite element method and Rayleigh-Plesset theory to calculate the resonance frequencies. And then, the study set a diffuse field to exposure the yeast cells. In the experiment, cell growths were analyzed by a 600 nm ultraviolet spectrophotometer measuring the cell mass concentration. The results show that the restrained time under high intensity ultrasonic exposure was longer than low intensity in 0.306 and 11.6625 MHz. However, the restrained effects were the same between high and low irradiation intensity in 2.4079 MHz. By 10 MHz low irradiation intensity, the restrained time was 0.5 hr after sonication. The restrain effects were not obvious under low and high irradiation intensity in 16.124 MHz.

Contamination by dense non aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) [e.g., trichloroethylene (TCE)] in soil and groundwater has become an issue of great concern in many industrialized counties. In this study, a chlorinated-compound spill site was selected as the case study site to evaluate the possible risk to site workers and local residents caused by the contaminated soil and groundwater. The contaminants of concern at this site were TCE and 1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE). The detected concentrations for TCE and 1,1-DCE exceeded the control standards of 0.05 and 0.07 mg/L, respectively. In this study, the Risk-based Corrective Action (RBCA) protocol developed by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), health and risk assessment methods for soil and groundwater contaminated sites developed by Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration were applied for risk calculation and quantification. Monte Carlo analysis using @RISK software was applied for uncertainty analysis to calculate the cumulative risk at 95% probability distribution. Moreover, a natural attenuation model (BIOCHLOR) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of natural attenuation mechanisms on the chlorinated compounds. Results from this study show that the occurrence of natural attenuation for the chlorinated compounds was confirmed through the anaerobic biodegradation processes. The calculated cumulative risk at 95% cumulative probability via ingestion route was 2.61¡Ñ10-5 through the Monte Carlo analysis. The calculated cumulative risk at 95% cumulative probability via inhalation route and ambient (outdoor) vapor inhalation diffusion channels were 1.461¡Ñ10-5 and 2.17¡Ñ10-6, respectively. Because the calculated risk levels were higher than the target cancer risk is 1¡Ñ10-6 described in Taiwan¡¦s ¡§Soil and Groundwater Remediation Act¡¨, appropriate remedial actions are required to lower the risk to below the target level. Results also show that the calculated hazard index (HI) values of the contaminated site are lower than the acceptable level (HI < 1) described in the ¡§Soil and Groundwater Remediation Act.¡¨ To meet the target level of cancer risk of 1¡Ñ10-6, TCE contaminated groundwater needs to be remediated to below the site specific target level (SSTL) for inhalation exposure routes in a confined space volume, which is 6.91 ¡Ñ 10-2 mg/L. Based on the results of risk assessment, it is very important for the decision makers to incorporate remedial activities including institutional controls, engineering controls, and remediation programs from RBCA results. This study provides a streamlined process and guidelines of developing the risk-based decision-making strategy for contaminated sites in Taiwan.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 19, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-153).

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 3140. Adviser: Thomas Stock. Includes bibliographical references.

The harbour land fill in Halmstad has been described in the news as one of the most polluted areas in Halland County based on the a survey from the Swedish environmental protection agency. In order to identify the extent and severity of the situation several environmental investigations have been performed in this area. This report is based on available data from investigations and environmental reports from WSP, Höganäs AB, HEM and Halmstad municipality. This investigation focus on an “Area C” within the land fill where the main land fill material is i.a. slag from a steel work, construction waste, dredge spoil, waste from glass production and a casting shop. Of these material the focus have been on the metal rich slag from the steel work and its possible environmental impact. The environmental exposure of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni, Mo and V have been calculated as an annual load from Area C. Unfortunately the data available for this investigation has not been complete, e.g. slag concentration data with corresponding leachate data was only obtained for one year. The groundwater data and land fill metal concentrations have been measured only once. This made it impossible to investigate e.g. annual variations like ageing effects of the material or weather variations, variation in the properties of the deposed slag material and statistical significance in differences could not be calculated. Further characterisation of the land fill would be worthwhile in order to be able to draw some conclusions. Calculations of the environmental load has been performed based on concentration in the slag, the land fill, the leachate data of the slag and groundwater concentrations. A model has been developed to calculate the weighted land fill metal concentration. The partitioning coefficient, Kd; between soil and liquid has been calculated and used to estimate the environmental load. It was assumed that the groundwater data was the most reliable data, which indicated that the exposure may be higher than from common soil, especially for Pb and Mo. Relating the environmental exposure values with guideline values based on MKM (less sensitive land use)-land using HQ (hazard quotient) indicates a decreasing risk in the order Pb&gt;V&gt;Mo. However, the exposure is well below that from MKM soil which could be assumed, according to Swedish environmental protection agency guideline values, to be an acceptable exposure.

Background: The relationship between fruit and vegetable (FV) exposure, preference, and consumption among children has been a targeted topic of study due to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine FV home exposure in elementary children and the selection of both fruits and vegetables and less familiar lunch entrées at school. Design: Cross-sectional data on 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students (N=59) from an elementary school in central Texas. Methods: Home and school FV exposure was collected via self-report using a six-item questionnaire. Students were placed into high and low groups for 1) the variety of FV offered at home, and 2) the variety of FV eaten at home. Absolute and relative ratings of eight lunch entrées were collected through taste-tests conducted at school. Results: Differences in the consumption of FV at school and the selection of lunch entrées between high and low groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U independent non-parametric tests. Results indicated that the distribution of consumption at school differed across high and low groups for parental offering of FV for: oranges (z=2.16, p<0.05), cucumber (z=2.44, p<0.05), pineapple (z=3.41, p=0.001), mandarin oranges (z=2.93, p<0.01), tomato (z=3.14, p<0.01), and broccoli (z=3.26, p=0.001). The distribution of consumption at school across high and low groups for the eating FV at home was significant for 10 out of the 11 FV items: oranges (z=2.24, p<0.05), cucumber (z=2.64, p<0.01), pineapple (z=4.19, p<.001), mandarin oranges (z=3.06, p<0.01), tomatoes (z=3.47, p=0.001), bell pepper (z=2.25, p<0.05), broccoli (z=4.00, p<0.001), melon (z=3.06, p<0.01), apples (z=2.79, p<0.01), and zucchini (z=2.27, p<0.05) Likewise, significant differences between high and low groups for parental offering of FV were found for the selection of the chef salad (z=2.546, p<0.05), the Greek salad (z=2.091, p<0.05), and the veggie humus plate (z=2.104, p<0.05). Absolute and relative ratings of eight lunch entrées are also reported. Conclusions: Children who are more frequently exposed to FV at home consume a wider variety FV at school and are more likely to select healthy, less familiar entrées at school lunch. / text

Studies show that the use of cleaning products is related to adverse respiratory health effects ranging from irritation to asthma. Yet exposure to these chemicals is poorly understood. This dissertation summarizes the current state of knowledge of inhalation exposure to toxic chemicals in consumer cleaning products. An improved two-zone model that treats personal air space as distinct from bulk room air is presented. The model accounts for air exchange between the two zones, dynamic source characteristics (i.e., the time-varying liquid concentrations and emission rates of pollutants within a mixture), and the characteristics of chemical use (e.g., how frequently a cleaning chemical is applied to a new area). To assess exposure to cleaning products and validate the improved two-zone model twenty-three experiments, encompassing six cleaning scenarios, were completed in an environmentally-controlled chamber with a thermal mannequin. Then, the model was used to predict exposure for four hypothetical cleaning scenarios and compared against other models. The model's applicability is restricted by limited data available for parameterization. At low air exchange rates gas-phase experimental results show concentrations in the breathing-zone of the mannequin exceeded concentrations predicted by the well-mixed model by factors up to 2.1. Breathing-zone concentrations also exceed those measured at centralized room monitors by factors up to 6.1. Thus, studies that use the centralized room monitors or the well-mixed model as a surrogate for breathing-zone concentrations could potentially underpredict exposure at low air exchange rates. The two-zone model provides the best prediction of exposure to cleaning tasks, at low air exchange rates. The next best model is the well-mixed model with an exponentially decreasing emission rate, followed by the well-mixed model with a constant emission rate. At high air exchange rates the well-mixed assumption appears to be valid. The inner-zonal volume and inter-zonal air exchange were independent of fresh air ventilation rate. But both were dependant on the mannequin's body position, with standing having the highest inner-zonal volume and lowest intra-zonal air exchange rate of the three body positions investigates (standing, bent over 45°, and hands and knees). / text

Despite efforts to increase female participation in STEM majors, women continue to be an underrepresented population in this domain, impacting the U.S. workforce. Researchers have identified a variety of factors that benefit engineering students without regard to gender (mentoring; student-faculty interactions; co-curricular involvement) but research is limited on how female engineering students foster a sense of belonging to the engineering major helping them persist through to graduation. Negative factors like gender bias or stereotyping are detailed in extant literature. Research needs to identify ways that contribute to female engineering connection and sense of belonging in engineering, not solely focus on the factors that negatively impact female engineering student trajectories. In an effort to address this gap in the literature, interviews with alumnae who graduated from engineering colleges across the U.S. were conducted. Data from this study provides a glimpse into what helped foster successful navigation through engineering majors for alumnae. Expanding current female and STEM literature, participants provide insights on pre-college, college, and on career influences. / text

Efforts to estimate the population prevalence of chemical sensitivities have been limited and have yielded different estimates of the prevalence of affected individuals. Researchers recognize that people differ in their biological susceptibility to environmental contaminants as well as the amount of contaminant to which they are potentially exposed. Lack of information on the population prevalence of people, who report sensitivity to a chemical or many chemicals, as well as variables associated, has been recognized in previous studies (Kreutzer et al., 1999). In a more recent report, Berg et al., in 2007 reported the prevalence and consequences related to inhalation of chemicals in a Danish population. They concluded that the symptoms related to inhalation of airborne chemicals were common, especially among women. A small part of that population reported that these symptoms affected social life or occupational conditions. Details in prevalence on severity of symptoms caused by inhaled odors, chemicals and irritants have not been investigated comparing populations based on ethnical differences. These differences could influence how individuals report their symptoms. This study evaluated the differences between Americans and Hispanics in sensitivity and symptoms related to inhalation of strong odors, chemical and irritants. We also evaluated the differences between both ethnic groups on quality of life due to these symptoms. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between December 2008 and March 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a total of 290 adults and 205 were selected for the analysis. American and Hispanic individuals of 16 years old or more were included. The responses were cross-tabulated and comparisons between means were performed using t-test and ANOVA. 29.8% of study population reported being more sensitive than the average person and women reported more than men (75%). These findings were consistent with previous reported in the literature. The reaction more frequent reported was to cigarette smoke (60%). Statistically significant differences were identified between Americans and Hispanics regarding to sensitivity to chemicals, irritants, odors or strong fragrances and reaction to cigarette smoke when history of Allergy is present. Significant differences between both ethnic groups were detected with Lower Respiratory, Neuro-psychological and Non-specific symptoms; and Quality of life. These differences were disclosed when history of Allergy, smoking habit, used steroids or antibiotics within the last 4 weeks, and age were considered. Americans reported being more sensitive with exposure to recognized everyday irritants, react more to cigarette smoke and reported more Non-specific symptoms than Hispanics. Hispanic smokers tend to report Lower Respiratory symptoms more than the Americans. Hispanics between 50 to 59 years old reported more Neuro-psychological symptoms than Americans. Quality of life was more affected among Americans if they are exposed to common irritants, when Allergy history and use of steroids or antibiotics were considered.

Objectives Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which include a broad range of cognitive, growth, behavior, and physical abnormalities. Early detection of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure is necessary to identify early interventions. The aim of this study is to identify the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on growth and infant development, to determine if ultrasound imaging can be used as an early identification tool, and to determine if maternal folate supplementation can mitigate the detrimental effects on growth and infant development. Methods A prospective cohort study and randomized trial from 2008 to 2014 conducted in two sites of Western Ukraine was analyzed. A sample of pregnant women who reported moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and a sample reporting little-to-no alcohol use during pregnancy participated in a comprehensive maternal interview and screening process. Women were further randomized into micronutrient supplementation groups. Standard ultrasound examinations during pregnancy including study specific brain growth measurements, along with blood and urine samples were obtained during follow-up visits. A biometric screening was conducted at birth, along with Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) assessments at 6 and 12 months of age. Results Estimated fetal weight (EFW), abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), caval-calvarial distance (CCD), and orbital diameter (OD) were significantly reduced by alcohol exposure at third trimester ultrasound (p2(7)=18.044, p=0.012), AC at third trimester (X2(5)=17.955, p=0.003), and birth weight (X2(6)=75.058, p2(11)=63.051, p Conclusions Significant reductions in fetal growth measurements during third trimester ultrasound suggest that the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure may be detectable in late pregnancy. Significant associations between multivitamin supplementation and specific growth measurements suggest that micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy, including high doses of folate, may be an early intervention to reduce the harmful effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Further studies are needed to identify the specific micronutrients producing these effects, and to assess the appropriate level of these micronutrients necessary to provide the greatest benefit without exceeding the safe limit.