Sustainability Research

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http://hdl.handle.net/10342/6422

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 78

Open Access
Gaps and Barriers Along the North Carolina Agri-Food Value Chain
(2016-02-01) Pitts, Stephanie
Open Access
A Decade of Environmental Public Health Tracking (2002-2012): Progress and Challenges
(2015-03-01) Kearney, Gregory D.
Open Access
Identifying the key barriers to promote sustainable construction in the United States: A principal component analysis
(2020-06-22) Karji, A.; Namian, M.; Tafazzoli, M.
The need to build more facilities has intensified the inherited adverse impacts of the construction industry on the triple bottom lines of sustainability (i.e., people, planet, and profit). The current practice of sustainability in the construction industry is far from reaching the targeted green goals. In order to foster these endeavors, this study aims to explore sustainable construction barriers in the United States. To achieve the objective, first, 12 sustainability barriers were identified based on an excessive and comprehensive literature review and solicitation of experts’ opinions to validate the barriers. Next, a questionnaire survey was developed and distributed among 135 industry professionals to evaluate the relative importance of factors. To offer a practical solution, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the data and find the most effective barriers. The results show that four major barriers, including (1) pre-construction constraints, (2) managerial constraints, (3) legislative constraints, and (4) financial and planning constraints are the most influential challenges that the industry faces to foster sustainable construction. Practical solutions are suggested to tackle sustainable construction barriers. The findings of this study are beneficial to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry members along with owners and policymakers.
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TELLUS: A BUSINESS DRIVING THE WORLD’S TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
(East Carolina University, 2021-05-28) Watkins, Rachel E; Christensen, Tim; Biology
Tellus is a business founded in the HNRS 2000/3000 courses with a mission of driving the world’s transition to eco-friendly products. Initially, Tellus targeted the waste generated by plastics in the medical field, such as otoscope specula; however, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tellus pivoted to tackle a more prevalent issue - the waste generated by PPE. Preliminary research revealed that “around 75% of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas” (“Five Things,” 2020). Furthermore, it was found that surgical masks contribute to microplastics in the environment, and cloth masks release harmful dyes, chemicals, and methane when sitting in the landfill (Fadare & Okoffo, 2020; Rossignol, 2014). Acknowledging this fact, Tellus hypothesized that if biodegradable facemasks are introduced into the mask market, then the environmental harm caused by facemasks will be significantly reduced. Therefore, in order to begin its impact, our team, Tellus, took initiative through our HNRS 4500/4550 courses and third-party programs to introduce biodegradable, disposable face coverings called Tellus Masks into the mask industry. Throughout this process, it was discovered that there is a desire for biodegradable facemasks, but given they are made of high-quality wood pulp, there are concerns about their effectiveness. Moreover, our attempts to acquire funding were unsuccessful, which inhibited us from completing a manufacturing run. With this being said, future attempts should focus more on marketing the quality of Tellus Masks and expend more effort on obtaining seed money.
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COMPARING THE EFFECT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON WATER FILTER USAGE IN RURAL GUATEMALA
(East Carolina University, 2021-05-28) Holt, Brooks Nicole; Larson, Kim; Nursing
Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of a community engagement (CE) strategy on sustainability of a safe drinking water initiative. Methods: A natural, quasi-experimental study design was conducted using community-based participatory research principles. We collaborated with two local community-based organizations in Guatemala to distribute table-top water filters in selected villages in rural Guatemala in 2014 and in 2018. One-year post-distribution, surveys were completed by the head of household. We compared data from three villages (n=38) who participated in a CE strategy with data from one village (n=56) that did not participate in CE (non-CE group). Findings: A major finding of this study was that households who participated in the CE strategy had almost five times higher odds of having a working water filter one year later (OR = 4.7, p = 0.022). Secondary findings were that the CE group was comprised of more adults/household (OR = 2.78, p = 0.017) and fewer children/household (OR = 5.76, p < 0.0001). Also, households in the CE group were more likely to have a concrete or wood floor (OR = 11.65, p = 0.002). However, using logistic regression we found the single best predictor that explained the working water filters in these households was the CE strategy. Conclusions: Community engagement strategies that support family dignity and ownership may be key to sustainability of public health initiatives especially those with collaborative global partnerships. Future work should include linking villages with local and international organizations that can ensure access to safe drinking water and evaluate sustainability. Clinical Relevance: These results suggest that community engagement in the form of monetary incentives could sustain safe drinking water initiatives.
Open Access
Designing A Research Study on ECU’s Recycling Habits Through Prototyping, Pivoting, and Failing
(East Carolina University, 2021-05-28) High, Mattie; Agostini, Marco; Banzon, Caroline; Rubino, Emily; Shingleton, Will; Christensen, Tim; Little, Terry; Carwein, Chad; Mathematics, Science and Instructional Technology Education; Chemistry; Health Education Promotion; Computer Science
According to the National Waste and Recycling Association, approximately 25% of items in recycling bins are considered nonrecyclable contamination, obstructing recycling efforts nationwide. On ECU’s campus, contamination in outdoor recycling has negatively impacted the overall recycling efficiency. The current design and color of bins may be a factor. We are testing whether a change in color has an impact on the rates of recycling and the percent of contamination. To test this, we will conduct an experiment with different colored bins that are more closely associated with recycling, like blue and green. The current purple bins will be used as a control. The ECU bus stop close to Greene Residence Hall and the Eakin Student Recreation Center was selected as the testing site. Each week, the bin will be audited for contamination and rotated weekly to the next test color. At the conclusion of the experiment, we hoped to find a bin that promoted the cleanest outdoor recycling stream possible. With the data collected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to present our findings to administration to advocate for change and provide insight on recycling during COVID-19.
Open Access
Exploring sustainability of affordability initiatives: a library case study
(2020-09) Hoover, Jeanne K.; Shirkey, Cindy; Barricella, Lisa Sheets
Purpose The cost of textbooks continues to rise for college students along with the cost of tuition. These costs can impact student success. In response to the rising costs, higher education institutions have started affordability initiatives. These initiatives are frequently housed in academic libraries. Joyner Library at East Carolina University (ECU) addresses affordability through three initiatives: Course-Adopted Textbook program, Alternative Textbook Mini-Grant program and Streaming Video licensing. Design/methodology/approach This paper will explore the above-mentioned three programs in-depth and perform a sustainability analysis on each program. Findings After reviewing the affordability initiatives discussed in the case study, the authors found that there were varying degrees of sustainability for the programs. Originality/value ECU is not alone in addressing affordability through multiple initiatives, and this case study paper will address long-term sustainability of these initiatives, especially during a time when libraries are experiencing shrinking budgets.
Open Access
HOW CAN WE REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS ON THE PLACENTA?
(East Carolina University, 2020-11-19) Fricke, Ariel; McCoy, Krista; Biology
Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can lead to birth defects and adult disease. While it is impossible to avoid pollutant exposure, development of a prenatal supplement that augments natural protective mechanisms would be invaluable. Here, I show that prenatal supplementation with sulforaphane reduces gene changes caused by a model endocrine disrupting chemical. Further the candidate mechanisms of resilience associated with this rescue were identified.
Open Access
Healthy Eating also is good for the planet
(2020-07-29) Trei, Alexander; Kolasa, Kathryn M
This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column is a discussion between the efforts of our community members to maintain healthy diets while trying to make a more sustainable environment for our future.
Open Access
A rapid assessment of co-benefits and trade-offs among Sustainable Development Goals
(2017-06-15) Singh, Gerald G.; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés M.; Swartz, Wilf; Cheung, William; Guy, J. Adam; Kenny, Tiff-Annie; McOwen, Chris J.; Asch, Rebecca G.; Geffer, Jan Laurens; Wabnitz, Colette C.C.; Sumaila, Rashid; Hanich, Quentin; Ota, Yoshitaka
Achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results in many ecological, social, and economic consequences that are inter-related. Understanding relationships between sustainability goals and determining their interactions can help prioritize effective and efficient policy options. This paper presents a framework that integrates existing knowledge from literature and expert opinions to rapidly assess the relationships between one SDG goal and another. Specifically, given the important role of the oceans in the world's social-ecological systems, this study focuses on how SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and the targets within that goal, contributes to other SDG goals. This framework differentiates relationships based on compatibility (co-benefit, trade-off, neutral), the optional nature of achieving one goal in attaining another, and whether these relationships are context dependent. The results from applying this framework indicate that oceans SDG targets are related to all other SDG goals, with two ocean targets (of seven in total) most related across all other SDG goals. Firstly, the ocean SDG target to increase economic benefits to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries for sustainable marine uses has positive relationships across all SDGs. Secondly, the ocean SDG target to eliminate overfishing, illegal and destructive fishing practices is a necessary pre-condition for achieving the largest number of other SDG targets. This study highlights the importance of the oceans in achieving sustainable development. The rapid assessment framework can be applied to other SDGs to comprehensively map out the subset of targets that are also pivotal in achieving sustainable development.
Open Access
Mitigation Effect of Waste Glass Powders on Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) Expansion in Cementitious Composite
(2018-11-20) Ke, Guojun; Li, Wengui; Li, Ruyi; Li, Yuelin; Wang, George
The effects of different contents and particle sizes of waste glass powder on alkali–silica reaction (ASR) expansion of cementitious composite bar were investigated in this study. Waste glass powder with particle size less than 300 μm exhibits an excellent mitigation effect on ASR expansion. With larger content and smaller particle size, the mitiga- tion effect of waste glass powder on ASR expansion gradually increases. The mitigation effect of waste glass powder with particle size ranging from 38 to 53 μm and 20% by weight of cement seems relatively better than that of fly ash. When the waste glass powder content reaches 30%, the mitigation effect is still effective and almost the same as that of fly ash. However, the waste glass powder with particle size larger than 300 μm presents negative mitigation effect on ASR expansion when the replacement rate is larger than 30%. On the other hand, the waste glass powder and calcium hydroxide (CH) further react, and produce more calcium–silicate–hydrate gels, which apparently reduce the amount of CH. Moreover, the increasing content of waste glass powder results in a lower pH value in the pore solu- tion of cementitious composite.
Open Access
Impact of Fuel and Energy Complex on Sustainable Development of Mineral Extracting Regions: the World Experience
(2019-06-21) Barbara, Anna; Sluder, Lyubov
The fossil fuel sectors and export of its products occupy a leading position in the economy of many countries and directly affect the sustainability of national economies. Therefore, in the long term an adequate vision of the development of these sectors is of great importance in forecasting and planning the strategic development of these countries. The wide use of coal fuel in the world energy consumption will remain for quite a long time; however, the environmental problems associated with its production are a serious factor hindering the possibility of a transition to the sustainable development of coal-producing regions. There is an obvious need for a balanced approach in developing greater industrial potential while protecting the environment. The world is slowly moving away from coal as other forms of energy have become cheaper and environmental concerns mount. The authors analyzed the world and domestic experience in the initiation, promotion and implementation of projects that contribute to the sustainable development of the leading mining regions of the world. The ability of the authorities to clearly define strategic priorities, improve the business climate, effectively distribute and improve the quality of regional resources and infrastructure creates the prerequisites for enhancing the sustainable competitive advantages of a region, business, and public welfare.
Open Access
Assessment of Spatial Variation of Groundwater Quality in a Mining Basin
(2017-05-15) Alexander, Augustina Clara; Ndambuki, Julius; Salim, Ramadhan; Manda, Alex
Assessment of groundwater quality is vital for the sustainable safe use of this inimitable resource. However, describing the overall groundwater quality condition—particularly in a mining basin—is more complicated due to the spatial variability of multiple contaminants and the wide range of indicators found in these areas. This study applies a geographic information system (GIS)-based groundwater quality index (GQI) to assess water quality in a mining basin. The study synthesized nine different water quality parameters available—nitrate, sulphate, chloride, sodium, magnesium, calcium, dissolved mineral solids, potassium, and floride (NO−, SO2−, Cl−, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, DMS, 34 K+ and F−)—from 90 boreholes across the basin by indexing them numerically relative to the World Health Organization standards. The study compared data from 2006 and 2011. The produced map indicated a lower GQI of 67 in 2011 compared to 72 in 2006. The maximum GQI of 84.4 calculated using only three parameters (Mg2+, K+ and F−) compared well with the GQI of 84.6 obtained using all nine parameters. A noticeable declining groundwater quality trend was observed in most parts of the basin, especially in the south-western and the northern parts of the basin. The temporal variation between the GQIs for 2006 and 2011 indicated variable groundwater quality (coefficient of variation = 15–30%) in areas around the mining field, and even more variability (coefficient of variation >30%) in the south-western and eastern parts of the basin.
Open Access
A Waterfront View of Coastal Hazards: Contextualizing Relationships among Geographic Exposure, Shoreline Type, and Hazard Concerns among Coastal Residents
(2019-11-26) Scyphers, Steven B.; Beck, Michael W.; Furman, Kelsi L.; Haner, Judy; Josephs, Lauren I.; Lynskey, Rebecca; Keeler, Andrew G.; Landry, Craig E.; Powers, Sean P.; Webb, Bret M.; Grabowski, Jonathan H.
Coastal communities exist on the front lines of diverse natural hazards and the growing impacts of climate change. While traditional strategies for dealing with coastal hazards have often involved the hardening or armoring of shorelines, more recent research and practice have demonstrated the value and cost-effectiveness of “living shorelines” and other ecosystem-based strategies for coastal protection. To explore potential relationships among geographic exposure (waterfront vs. inland), shoreline condition (armored vs. natural), and hazard concerns, we surveyed 583 waterfront and inland residents in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We found that overall concern for coastal hazards was similar across waterfront and inland residents, as well as among residents with both armored and natural shorelines. However, concern for specific hazards differed across these groups. Waterfront residents were significantly more concerned about major hurricanes and erosion than inland residents. Conversely, inland residents were more concerned with drought and flooding than waterfront residents. Among waterfront residents, specific hazard concerns were similar between residents with natural and armored shorelines with two key exceptions. Residents with armored shorelines reported higher concern for erosion and sea level rise than residents with natural shorelines. Our results suggest that armored shorelines do not necessarily alleviate concerns about coastal hazards. In the context of balancing social and ecological objectives in addressing coastal hazards or adapting to climate change, understanding the perceptions and behaviors of coastal residents is essential for conserving and protecting coastal ecosystems along residential shorelines.
Open Access
Voluntary stuttering suppresses true stuttering: A window on the speech perception–production link
(2004-02) SALTUKLAROGLU, TIM; KALINOWSKI, JOSEPH; Dayalu, Vikram N.; STUART, ANDREW; RASTATTER, MICHAEL P
In accord with a proposed innate link between speech perception and production (e.g., motor theory), this study provides compelling evidence for the inhibition of stuttering events in people who stutter prior to the initiation of the intended speech act, via both the perception and the production of speech gestures. Stuttering frequency during reading was reduced in 10 adults who stutter by approximately 40% in three of four experimental conditions: (1) following passive audiovisual presentation (i.e., viewing and hearing) of another person producing pseudostuttering (stutter-like syllabic repetitions) and following active shadowing of both (2) pseudostuttered and (3) fluent speech. Stuttering was not inhibited during reading following passive audiovisual presentation of fluent speech. Syllabic repetitions can inhibit stuttering both when produced and when perceived, and we suggest that these elementary stuttering forms may serve as compensatory speech gestures for releasing involuntary stuttering blocks by engaging mirror neuronal systems that are predisposed for fluent gestural imitation.
Open Access
Functional Genomics of Wood Quality and Properties
(2003-11) Tang, Wei; Luo, Xiaoyan; Nelson, Aaron; Collver, Hilary; Kinken, Katherine
Genomics promises to enrich the investigations of biology and biochemistry. Current advancements in genomics have major implications for genetic improvement in animals, plants, and microorganisms, and for our understanding of cell growth, development, differentiation, and communication. Significant progress has been made in the understanding of plant genomics in recent years, and the area continues to progress rapidly. Functional genomics offers enormous potential to tree improvement and the understanding of gene expression in this area of science worldwide. In this review we focus on functional genomics of wood quality and properties in trees, mainly based on progresses made in genomics study of Pinus and Populus. The aims of this review are to summarize the current status of functional genomics including: (1) Gene discovery; (2) EST and genomic sequencing; (3) From EST to functional genomics; (4) Approaches to functional analysis; (5) Engineering lignin biosynthesis; (6) Modification of cell wall biogenesis; and (7) Molecular modelling. Functional genomics has been greatly invested worldwide and will be important in identifying candidate genes whose function is critical to all aspects of plant growth, development, differentiation, and defense. Forest biotechnology industry will significantly benefit from the advent of functional genomics of wood quality and properties.
Open Access
Emerging Genomic and Proteomic Evidence on Relationships Among the Animal, Plant and Fungal Kingdoms
(2004-05) Stiller, John W
Sequence-based molecular phylogenies have provided new models of early eukaryotic evolution. This includes the widely accepted hypothesis that animals are related most closely to fungi, and that the two should be grouped together as the Opisthokonta. Although most published phylogenies have supported an opisthokont relationship, a number of genes contain a tree-building signal that clusters animal and green plant sequences, to the exclusion of fungi. The alternative tree-building signal is especially intriguing in light of emerging data from genomic and proteomic studies that indicate striking and potentially synapomorphic similarities between plants and animals. This paper reviews these new lines of evidence, which have yet to be incorporated into models of broad scale eukaryotic evolution.
Open Access
Last Glacial Maximum in an Andean cloud forest environment (Eastern Cordillera, Bolivia): Comment and Reply
(2003-01) Baker, Paul A.; Bush, Mark; Fritz, Sherilyn; Rigsby, Catherine A; Seltzer, Geoffrey; Silman, Miles
Whether the climate of tropical South America during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was colder and drier or colder and wetter than present day has been widely debated. It is accepted, however, that the LGM in tropical South America was 2–9 °C colder than today (e.g., Betts and Ridgway, 1992; Bush et al., 2001). Without debating the merits of the following choices, if we assume a lapse rate in the LGM similar to the modern one of ~0.6 °C·100 m−1, then an intermediate cooling of 5 °C would lower the boundary between montane cloud forest and the overlying puna grasslands by ~800 or 900 m. Palynologists on both sides of the wet/dry debate have come to similar conclusions about forest-boundary lowering due to temperature decrease (reviewed by Flenley, 1998). In the Eastern Cordillera of Bolivia the modern puna–cloud forest boundary lies ~3400 m above sea level (masl). Ignoring any other environmental changes, LGM cooling would have lowered this boundary to 2500 or 2600 masl.
Open Access
Low alpha power (7.5–9.5 Hz) changes during positive and negative affective learning
(2003-03) Everhart, D. Erik; DEMAREE, HEATH A.
There is evidence that the positive and the negative word lists of the Affective Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AAVL) are useful with regard to mood induction. To date, however, changes in brain activation, as indicated by quantitative electroencephalographic recording, have not been examined. Thus, changes in low alpha power (7.5–9.5 Hz) were examined during and after completion of the positive or the negative learning list of the AAVL among 37 undergraduate men and women. Three primary findings from the study include the following: (1) Previously reported recall patterns were replicated; (2) participants who completed the negative list reported a significant decline in mood state at the end of the session; and (3) participants who completed the negative word list evidenced a significant reduction in low alpha power (in comparison with baseline) within the parietal regions. The findings noted above are seemingly counter to contemporary theories of mood regulation (i.e., asymmetrical changes in anterior activity, rather than changes in parietal regions). Although the AAVL may have limited utility as a tool for mood induction, it may serve as a functional tool for examination of the cerebral processes associated with affective verbal memory.
Open Access
Environmental Health Resilience
(2013-03-07) Kelley, Tim