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The simple, accurate, and rapid detection of foodborne pathogens is essential for public health. Development of an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) multiplex touchdown PCR (IMS–multiplex TD–PCR) assay for simultaneous detection and distinguishing of C. jejuni and C. coli is reported herein. Polyclonal antibody (pAb) against multiepitope antigen (MEA) was conjugated to ferromagnetic nanoparticles (FMNs) to produce anti-MEA FMNs. Optimal anti-MEA FMNs loading yielded 26.7 μg of immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules per mg of FMNs with an average size of 72 ± 9 nm, corresponding to an 83% rate of pAb conjugation. Anti-MEA FMNs (20 μg) for IMS captured culturable C. jejuni cells at 3.54 × 10 2 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL in pure culture, while higher amounts (40 and 60 μg) reduced the recovery. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the attachment of anti-MEA FMNs to target bacteria, forming aggregated cells and magnetic nanoparticles in ellipse-like shapes. The subsequent multiplex TD–PCR assay simultaneously detected and distinguished C. jejuni and C. coli at 104 CFU/mL in mixed culture and at 103 CFU/mL for each individual species. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) of the IMS–multiplex TD–PCR assay was 104 CFU/g in spiked chicken breast samples. Specificity was 100% for both C. jejuni and C. coli as none of the amplicons were detected in control samples where Campylobacter was absent. This assay is able to detect and distinguish C. jejuni and C. coli simultaneously and is simple, accurate, and rapid with a time to result of 4 h without an enrichment step, making it a promising approach for rapid and culture-free detection of Campylobacter in chicken products.

Military activities can contaminate productive land with potentially toxic substances. The most common trace metal contaminant on military bases is lead (Pb). A field experiment was begun in 2016 at Fort Riley, KS, in an area with total soil Pb concentrations ranging from 900 to 1,500 mg kg-1 and near-neutral pH. The main objectives were to test the potential of Miscanthus sp. for phytostabilization of the site and to evaluate the effects of soil amendments on Miscanthus growth, soil-plant Pb transfer, bioaccessibility of soil Pb, and soil health. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five treatments and four replications. Treatments were (a) existing vegetation; (b) Miscanthus planted in untilled soil, no amendments; (c) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil; (d) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil amended with inorganic P (triple superphosphate applied at 5:3 Pb:P); and (e) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil amended with organic P (Class B biosolids applied at 45 Mg ha-1 ). Tilling and soil amendments increased dry matter yields only in the establishment year. Total Pb uptake, plant tissue Pb concentration, and soil Pb bioaccessibility were significantly less in the Miscanthus plots amended with biosolids than the Miscanthus plots with no added P across all 3 yr. Enzyme activities, organic carbon, and microbial biomass were also greater in biosolids-treated plots. Results show that planting-time addition of soil amendments to Pb-contaminated soil supported Miscanthus establishment, stabilized and reduced bioaccessibility of soil Pb, reduced concentration and uptake of Pb by Miscanthus, and enhanced soil health parameters.

Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant associated with several health issues. Ozone concentrations have exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the Chicago metropolitan area on hot summer days for many years because of nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions. Annual fourth highest 8-hour ozone concentrations have been between 0.070 and 0.084 ppm at several monitoring sites in Cook county, during the 2016-2018 time period. The continuous measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) was conducted in several communities in Chicago in 2017. The air pollution impacts the health of all who live in the area. The data were used to analyze correlations between the O3 distribution and its association with ambient concentrations of NO2 from transportation emissions. Higher concentrations in NO2 and O3 occurred in succession in the daytime. The diurnal variation of O3 concentration was analyzed. The daily cycle of NO2 concentration reaches a maximum in the late morning and has smaller nighttime concentrations. The daily cycle of ozone concentration reaches the maximum in the afternoon and also becomes smaller for nighttime concentrations. In addition, relationships were found between O3 and NO2. Monthly variations of ozone and NO2 are presented. Some options to reduce ozone pollution are presented.

This study aims to summarize results on potential phytomanagement of two metal(loid)-polluted military soils using Miscanthus x giganteus. Such an option was tested during 2-year pot experiments with soils taken from former military sites in Sliac, Slovakia and Kamenetz-Podilsky, Ukraine. The following elements were considered: As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn and Zr. M. x giganteus showed good growth at both military soils with slightly higher maximum shoot lengths in the second year of vegetation. Based on Principal Component Analysis similarities of metal(loid) uptake by roots, stems and leaves were summarized. Major part of the elements remained in M. x giganteus roots and rather limited amounts moved to the aerial parts. Levels taken up decreased in the second vegetation year. Dynamics of foliar metal(loid) concentrations divided the elements in two groups: essential elements required for metabolism (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) and non-essential elements without any known metabolic need (As, Sr, Ti, and Zr). Fe, Mn, Ti and Sr showed similar S-shaped uptake curve in terms of foliar concentrations (likely due to dilution in growing biomass), while Cu exhibited a clear peak mid-season. Behavior of Zn was in between. Foliar Zr and As concentrations were below detection limit. The results illustrated a good potential of M. x giganteus for safely growing on metal-polluted soils taken from both military localities.

Contamination of soil by heavy metals is among the important environmental problems due to their toxicity and negative impact to human health and the environment. An effective method for cleaning the soil from heavy metals is phytoremediation using the second-generation bioenergy species Miscanthus × giganteus. The purpose of this research is to study the benefits of M. × giganteus cultivation at the soils taken from the mining and former military sites contaminated by As, Pb, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, V, Mn, Sr, and U as well as at the soil artificially contaminated by Zn and Pb, to evaluate the physiological parameters of the plant, to establish peculiarities of the phytoremediation process, and to characterize the behavior of the plant in relation to the nature and concentrations of the metals in the soils. Results showed that M. × giganteus was resistant to heavy metals (tolerance index ≥ 1) and that the greatest portion of metals accumulated in the root system. The morphological parameters of the plant while grown on different soils are influenced by soil type and the content of contaminants. The stress effect while growing M. × giganteus on soil artificially contaminated by Zn and Pb was evaluated by measuring the content of pigments (chlorophylls a, b, and carotenoids) in the plant’s leaves. The decrease in the total content of chlorophylls, Сa + b/Сcar and transpiration rate of water along with the increase in the water absorbing capacity were observed. The accumulation of heavy metals in different parts of the plant was determined; bioaccumulation coefficient and values of translocation factor were calculated. The obtained results showed that M. × giganteus was an excluder plant for nine highly toxic elements (As, Pb, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, V, U) and an accumulator species for the moderately dangerous elements (Mn, Sr). Further research will be focused on the extraction of stable stimulated plant-growth–promoting rhizobacteria from the rhizosphere of M. × giganteus and formulation on that base the plant-bacterial associations as well as on the comparison of the plant physiological parameters, biochemical soil activity, and accumulation of heavy metals in the Miscanthus tissues between first and second vegetations.

Applying phytotechnologies with energy crops on lands contaminated with trace elements provides cellulosic biomass and improves soil health. The process can be reflected in changes in the soil nematode community structure. This study assessed the nematode community composition of soil with Miscanthus grown with different agronomic practices. The research was conducted at Fort Riley, Kansas, USA, in soil with aged contamination by Pb at 1000 to 1500 mg/kg. The experimental design was a randomized complete block composed of four replications of five treatments: Control-undisturbed mixed plant cover and four conditions of Miscanthus growth, which consisted of No-till, Till (immediately before planting), Till + P, and Till + biosolids. Analysis of abundance, diversity, and community functional status indicators showed differential sensitivity of nematode taxa to agronomic treatments. Significant transformations in the nematode trophic group structure occurred under Miscanthus cultivation compared with the undisturbed mixed plant cover. Shannon and Pielou index response to agronomic treatments illustrated decreasing nematode community diversity with all Miscanthus agronomic conditions. However, agronomic practices led to increasing nematode community maturity, but those effects varied between spring and fall seasons. Increasing herbivores and omnivore-predators were the primary drivers of the observed changes in the nematode community due to planting Miscanthus. The nematode ecological structure indicators suggested that growth in Pb-contaminated land using different agronomical practices likely affects essential soil processes. More study is needed to define the effects of pre-plant tillage and amendments to soil nematode communities and Miscanthus yield over multiple growing seasons of this perennial crop.

Nitrogen oxides and ozone impact air quality in many parts of the United States (U S ), Europe, China, and many other countries The greatest air quality challenge in Los Angeles, some other areas of California, and some parts of China is to reduce ozone levels to meet regulations Background ozone is a major factor which makes it more difficult to reduce urban concentrations in Los Angeles and some other locations Air pollution from China affects the background ozone entering California More than 50?years of history are reviewed with an emphasis on reducing concentrations of nitrogen oxides and ozone During this time period, there has been significant progress in reducing levels of these pollutants in urban air in the U S and Europe;however, ozone concentrations in China have increased since 2013 Cost and benefit analysis has shown that benefits associated with the Clean Air Act of 1970 have greatly exceeded costs to improve air quality in the U S over the past 50?years Further actions to consider to improve air quality include reducing combustion of coal and petroleum products and transitioning to renewable energy Public education is recommended to inform citizens that the benefits of reducing emissions far exceed costs This article is protected by copyright All rights reserved

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular because of their low operating costs. However, the anticipated increase in EV usage presents opportunities as well as challenges fo...

The worldwide annual cost of campylobacteriosis is at least several billion dollars. Risk analysis is being used to reduce the magnitude of the problem and to support regulations and voluntary actions that are successful in that the number of cases of illness is decreasing. The new regulations in the U.S. have resulted in commercial products with fewer Campylobacter. During the last 16 years there has been significant progress in New Zealand because of new regulations that have resulted in reduced numbers of Campylobacter on marketed products. While some progress has been made in reducing cross contamination, it remains an important issue. Food safety education on the general principles of food hygiene and food handling as well as applications of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles in food safety management are recommended to address the challenges associated with cross contamination. Economic analysis of campylobacteriosis and the poultry meat industry shows that there are significant benefits of addressing the challenges associated with Campylobacter in poultry products. Freezing has been shown to be an excellent cost-effective method to reduce the number of viable Campylobacter and the number of cases of campylobacteriosis.

Immersion chilling of chicken carcasses is used in many locations to reduce temperature. In some cases chemicals are added to the water to reduce the numbers of Campylobacter and other microbial populations. The addition of chlorine to the chilling water has the potential to reduce Campylobacter numbers significantly. Because of the interest in reducing campylobacteriosis, the chilling process is reviewed with emphasis on successful methods for the reduction of viable Campylobacter populations. A mathematical model of the fate of Campylobacter during the chilling process is presented. Some parameters in the model are estimated based on experimental data from several sources. Experimental results and simulation results show that Campylobacter numbers can be reduced significantly in chillers with three tanks in series and a measurable concentration of free chlorine in the chillers.

Constructed wetland treatment systems are used to remove selenium (Se) from flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater (WW). However, direct confirmation of the mechanism responsible for FGD WW Se retention in soil is lacking. A laboratory-based soil column study was performed to develop an evidence-based mechanism of Se retention and to study the behavior and the retention capacity of FGD WW constituents in water-saturated soil. A deoxygenated 1:1 mixture of FGD WW and raw water was delivered to the columns bottom-up at a flux of 1.68 cm d for 100 d. Some of the columns were flushed with the raw water at the same rate for an additional 100 d. Column effluent was analyzed for constituents of concern. Results showed a complete retention of FGD WW Se in the soil materials. Boron and fluorine were partially retained; however, sulfur, sodium, and chlorine retention was poor, agreeing with field observations. The FGD WW Se was retained in soil near the inlet end of the columns, indicating its limited mobility under reduced conditions. Sequential extraction procedure revealed that retained Se was mainly sequestered as stable/residual forms. Bulk- and micro-X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy confirmed that Se was mainly retained as reduced/stable species [Se(IV), organic Se, and Se(0)]. This study provides direct evidence for FGD WW Se retention in water-saturated soil via the transformation of oxidized Se into reduced/stable forms.

The objective of this research was to develop new technology for possible noncontact, nondestructive, and culture-independent rapid detection of Salmonella using ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Light signal changes of particles, cells, and their reaction stages were investigated. Amino-functionalized ferromagnetic nanoparticles (amino-FMNs) were synthesized and modified by glutaraldehyde to crosslink the attachment of specific antibodies to the particles. The nanoparticle complex was used to capture, concentrate, and isolate Salmonella in a culture broth. Signal changes of the four stages of the nanoparticles-amino-glutaraldehyde-antibodies-Salmonella cell attachments were tracked with sensitive Synchrotron FTIR spectroscopy (SR-FTIR). The unique peaks from these four steps were identified. Results can be applied to develop a new test method or a new test/universal reader for rapid, nondestructive, and culture-independent detection of Salmonella in food products using IR spectroscopy at wave numbers 1454 cm-1, 1542 cm-1, and 1414 cm-1, respectively.

The electrification of transportation is a key development for society because of its impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. The economic appeal of electric vehicles has continuously increased with the rapid decline in battery prices over the past several years, with average prices of less than $200/kWh in 2018, and projected future prices of less than $50/kWh. With reduced battery prices, electric cars and electric bikes will become attractive options for those looking for inexpensive transportation. In 2018, the number of EVs in service (cars, buses, and trucks) increased to more than 5 million, with a large fraction of these being in China. There were more than 100 million electric bicycles in service in 2018, with more than 60% of these being in China. Electric buses have significant air quality benefits which have helped to justify their purchase in China, in California, and in major cities like London and elsewhere. Norway currently leads the world in this transition, with about 40% of new car sales being EVs in 2018. EVs that can be charged with renewable electricity also have the capability to store energy and provide benefits to grid operators and managers.

There has been significant progress since 2015, when the Paris Agreement on Climate Change was adopted. Consistent with the goals of the Agreement, many coal-fired plants have been retired, as the costs of electricity from solar photovoltaic systems and wind power have decreased to being less expensive than electricity from coal. Most of the new electricity-generating capacity that is being developed and put into service is from renewable wind and solar systems. There is still far to go, however. Trillions of dollars can be saved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the state where carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are no longer increasing. There are also many benefits associated with the transition to zero carbon emissions and steady state concentrations of greenhouse gases. Advances in science and technology that reduce the costs of electric vehicles and battery storage contribute to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

There are many people who would benefit from having electricity but who live too far from an electrical grid to access it. Recent developments can help such people. Solar-generated electricity and battery storage are now available at a very reasonable cost for those who want to have an electrical system in their home or business. The very simplest system of this type is a solar lantern that can be set in the sun each morning to charge the battery, and then used in the evening for lighting. Because of the low cost of solar-generated electricity now, there is an active transition around the world away from fuel oil or propane-powered generators and towards solar panels for generation of electricity. Lighting, cooking, communication, and refrigeration are among the most important reasons to have off-grid electricity. Storage batteries are an important part of the off-grid system.

A microwave oven has been used to measure biomass concentration and construct a growth curve for Candida utilis ATCC 1084. Drying curve results show that when a sample was exposed to microwave radiation for 15 min, microwave and air oven dry weight results are within 4 mg of one another when dried at the "cook" power setting (approximately 630 W at full power). For biomass dry weight sample sizes of 147.74 and 14.42 mg, the sample weight was reduced to within 10% of the final air oven dry weight in less than 4 min. At the "defrost" power setting 7 min were required to reduce the sample weight to within 10% of the final air oven dry weight for the large sample. For the small sample, this point was not reached in 15 min. Microwave drying can be used to rapidly estimate microbial biomass concentration.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing in popularity because of their low operating cost and environmental friendly operation. The anticipated rise in EV usage, along with the increased use of renewable energy sources and smart storage devices for EV charging, presents opportunities as well as challenges. Time-varying electricity pricing and day-ahead power commitment add another dimension to this problem. In this research, we develop coordinated EV charging strategies for renewable energy powered charging stations in parking lots. This work maximizes the profits for parking lot operators by taking advantage of time-varying electricity pricing while satisfying system constraints. We propose a linear programming-based strategy for EV charging, and we specifically derive a centralized linear program that minimizes the charging cost for parking lot operator while satisfying customers’ demand in available time.

Air quality is impacting health in many cities in most countries because of particulate pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Very small particulates from engine emissions and coal fired electric power plants enter the lungs and pollute the blood of urban residents leading to a burden of disease with more than 3 million premature deaths per year attributed to outdoor air pollution. Welfare losses including premature deaths associated with air pollution were about $5 trillion in 2013. A global transition to electric vehicles, and the generation of electricity without combustion emissions would improve air quality significantly and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This transition is in progress in many parts of the world with more than 2 million electric vehicles in service in 2017. Electric bus and electric taxi sales are increasing, and many large cities have multiple programs to improve air quality. When health costs are considered, it is very appropriate for communities to take action to improve air quality and health. This work reviews and reports many positive actions that are in progress in larger cities.

Eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs is a major water quality problem that poses significant environmental, economic and social threats around the world. Monitoring and managing lakes and reservoirs to prevent or limit eutrophication, therefore, has significant value. The literature has been reviewed to study ecological engineering and management methods that have been and can be applied to improve water quality. Ecological engineering has the potential to be utilized to improve the design and operation of lakes and reservoirs through monitoring and active management of biological, chemical and physical components. Phosphorus concentrations can be reduced by effective and sustainable management practices to improve water quality.

The semi-field research on using second-generation biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus for restoration of former military site in Kamenetz-Podilsky, Ukraine was carried out during two vegetation seasons. Despite high metal pollution of soil, in particular, by Fe, Mn, Ti, and Zr, no growth inhibition was observed. The concentrations followed pattern soil > roots > stems > leaves. Accumulation of particular metals in roots was different: Fe, Mn and Ti were accumulated rather palpably after the first vegetation season and less tangible after the second one. Cu, Pb and Zn were less accumulative in both vegetation seasons, and for As and Pb the accumulative concentrations were very small. Accumulations in the aboveground parts of the plant in comparison to roots were significantly lower in case of Fe, Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, Sr and even statistically comparable to zero in case of As, Pb and Zr. Calculated translocation ratio of metals in the plant’s parts preferably indicated lack of metals’ hyper accumulation. Generally, no correlations were observed between concentrations of metals in the soil and in the upper plant’s parts. The research confirmed the ability of Miscanthus x giganteus to grow on the military soils predominantly contaminated by metals.