A new method for rapid chemical analysis of lignocellulosic biomass was developed using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopic techniques. The new method is less time-consuming and expensive than traditional wet chemistry. A mathematical model correlated FT-NIR spectra with concentrations determined by wet chemistry. Chemical compositions of corn stover and switchgrass were evaluated in terms of glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, lignin, and ash. Model development evaluated multivariate regressions, spectral transform algorithms, and spectral pretreatments and selected partial least squares regression, log(1/R), and extended multiplicative signal correction, respectively. Chemical composition results indicated greater variability in corn stover than switchgrass, especially among botanic parts. Also, glucose percentage was higher in internodes (>40%) than nodes or leaves (~30- 40%). Leaves had the highest percentage of lignin (~23-25%) and ash (~4-9%). Husk had the highest total sugar percentage (~77%). Individual FT-NIR predictive models were developed with good accuracy for corn stover and switchgrass. Root mean square errors for prediction (RMSEPs) from crossvalidation for glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, lignin and ash were 0.633, 0.620, 0.235, 0.374, 0.203, 0.458 and 0.266 (%w/w), respectively for switchgrass, and 1.407, 1.346, 0.201, 0.341, 0.321, 1.087 and 0.700 (%w/w), respectively for corn stover. A unique general model for corn stover and switchgrass was developed and validated for general biomass using a combination of independent samples of corn stover, switchgrass and wheat straw. RMSEPs of this general model using cross-validation were 1.153, 1.208, 0.425, 0.578, 0.282, 1.347 and 0.530 %w/w for glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, lignin and ash, respectively. RMSEPs for independent validation were less than those obtained by cross-validation. Prediction of major constituents satisfied standardized quality control criteria established by the American Association of Cereal Chemists. Also, FT-NIR analysis predicted higher heating value (HHV) with a RMSEP of 53.231 J/g and correlation of 0.971. An application of the developed method is the rapid analysis of the chemical composition of biomass feedstocks to enable improved targeting of plant botanic components to conversion processes including, but not limited to, fermentation and gasification.

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems are often designed at flows of either 284 L/person/d (75 gal/person/d) or 568 L/bedroom/d (150 gal/bedroom/d). Water use data suggest that designing systems at these flow rates can lead to overly conservative designs. A study quantifying the risk of failure (exceeding a system design flow) was needed to create a design basis for future systems. The objectives of the study were to quantify the risk of failure of decentralized system design flows depending on the number of residences served by a system and to develop new guidelines for design flows of cluster systems based on quantifiable research. Data sets were from Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County, Tennessee and contain water use information from July 2005 through July 2006 for seven subdivisions (636 residences) served by cluster systems. Water use was adjusted to wastewater production in each data set using a factor of 80 percent, and from each data set, probability distributions of average monthly flows and monthly peaking factors were made to model the variance due to residences and months, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to simulate monthly flow distributions for differing numbers of residences, which were evaluated for risk of exceeding differing design flows. For subdivisions with thirty or more three-bedroom residences, the results show that a design flow of 25552 L/month/residence (225 gal/d/residence) limits the yearly risk of exceeding a month’s design flow to less than one percent. The results of this study can be used to design future cluster systems in similar regions.

Zugl.: München, Univ., Diss., 2008

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-42).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Integrative Neuroscience." Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-218).

Zugl.: München, Univ., Diss., 2009

This is an integrative literature review of the utilisation of reflexology as complementary and alternative treatment modality in adults with chronic disease. Anecdotal evidence has claimed potential health benefits of reflexology for patients with various chronic diseases. In this study, selected databases that were accessible were searched using keywords such as reflexology therapy, zone therapy and combinations thereof. Databases such as SA Nexus, SAePublications, ProQuest, Web of Knowledge, EBSCOhost Platform, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library and Google Advanced Scholar were searched for primary studies and reviews of primary studies from 2000 until the end of 2008 (N = 1171). Primary experimental and non-experimental studies in any language with an abstract in English were identified. Only studies that complied with the inclusion criteria were reviewed and appraised (n = 35) for study quality with appropriate tools from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Evidence analysis manual. Evidence extraction, analysis and synthesis were done to review available evidence by means of the evidence class rating and evidence grading of strength prescribed in the ADA's manual. Study findings represent a statistical significant reduction in the frequency of seizures of patients with intractable epilepsy, an improvement of sensory and urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and a clinical significant reduction of pain and anxiety in patients with cancer and fibromyalgia syndrome to increase overall well-being and quality of life. No statistical significant evidence was reported on benefits of reflexology for irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, chronic low back pain and asthma. Thus there appears to be fair evidence of the effectiveness of reflexology, in addition clinical evidence supports the utilisation of reflexology to promote well-being and quality of life in adults with chronic disease. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

This is an integrative literature review of the utilisation of reflexology as complementary and alternative treatment modality in adults with chronic disease. Anecdotal evidence has claimed potential health benefits of reflexology for patients with various chronic diseases. In this study, selected databases that were accessible were searched using keywords such as reflexology therapy, zone therapy and combinations thereof. Databases such as SA Nexus, SAePublications, ProQuest, Web of Knowledge, EBSCOhost Platform, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library and Google Advanced Scholar were searched for primary studies and reviews of primary studies from 2000 until the end of 2008 (N = 1171). Primary experimental and non-experimental studies in any language with an abstract in English were identified. Only studies that complied with the inclusion criteria were reviewed and appraised (n = 35) for study quality with appropriate tools from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Evidence analysis manual. Evidence extraction, analysis and synthesis were done to review available evidence by means of the evidence class rating and evidence grading of strength prescribed in the ADA's manual. Study findings represent a statistical significant reduction in the frequency of seizures of patients with intractable epilepsy, an improvement of sensory and urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and a clinical significant reduction of pain and anxiety in patients with cancer and fibromyalgia syndrome to increase overall well-being and quality of life. No statistical significant evidence was reported on benefits of reflexology for irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, chronic low back pain and asthma. Thus there appears to be fair evidence of the effectiveness of reflexology, in addition clinical evidence supports the utilisation of reflexology to promote well-being and quality of life in adults with chronic disease. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly in demand and utilized by the public, specifically by families and their children who are being cared for by current mainstream in-hospital services. Integrative medicine (IM) is a strategy by which conventional health care is attempting to address the use of CAM and explore considerations to implement a pediatric integrative medical (PIM) service. This study will add the otherwise unexplored perspectives of CAM practitioners and hospital administrators to current literature. Semi-structured interviews with 10 CAM practitioners and 4 administrators were conducted. A qualitative comparative content analysis explored considerations for CAM integration in a pediatric hospital, including varied attitudes; levels of understanding and experiences with CAM; communication between professionals; expectations; skepticism and resistance to change; gaining knowledge about CAM; opposing health care ideologies; adapting to different health care environments; funding; safety; redistribution of care; therapeutic milieu; and patient centered care. There is a reservation toward IM in pediatric hospitals, despite generally positive personal and professional experiences and attitudes towards CAM. The realities and challenges of IM are identified. Implications for inclusion of key stakeholder perspectives are discussed in the context of IM for pediatric patients. / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2010. / "Graduate Program in Integrative Neuroscience." Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-123).