Showing papers in "Virginia journal of science in 2020"

Assessing Microplastic Pollution in Four Mile Run, an Urban Stream in Northern Virginia

Abstract: Microplastics are pollutants of concern in waterways and oceans for their persistence and impact on aquatic life and food webs. This study demonstrates a low-cost land-based sampling method to assess the extent of microplastic pollution found in Four Mile Run, an urban stream in Northern Virginia. Microplastic particle counts in environmental and treated wastewater ranged from 0.01-0.24 particles L-1 (mean 0.08 particles L-1) and from 2 to 446 μg L-1 (mean 70 μg L-1), with fibers found to be the most common microplastic category. Treated wastewater effluent was found to be a significant source of microplastic pollution, though microplastics were also found upstream of any influence from wastewater or tide-borne materials. The sampling method proved effective for collecting and analyzing microplastic pollution, though the sample size of 100 L was deemed insufficient for reliable measurement of total mass of microplastics.

Table 1 Data for "Variables Associated with Thermal Emittance of Wall Mural Art in Richmond, Virginia"

Abstract: The objectives of this research are to determine the factors associated with the minimum, maximum, and average thermal emittance temperatures of wall murals in Richmond, Virginia, and make recommendations for color and location of wall murals. Data for 17 parameters were collected for 64 art murals in downtown Richmond, VA from 28 June 2018 – 19 July 2018. Date, time, solar exposure duration, solar elevation, latitude, longitude, air temperature (C), lux, color, solar cardinal minutes, cardinal direction, minimum, maximum, and average surface thermal emittance temperatures of mural face were recorded for each mural. We reject the hypothesis that minimum, maximum, and average thermal emittance temperatures of wall murals do not vary significantly with temporal, spatial, physical changes, and solar factors. Maximum, minimum, and average emittance temperatures of wall mural art varied significantly with the number of minutes that solar energy directly illuminating mural art for each cardinal direction, lux, solar elevation, total diurnal exposure, maximum mural color, and percent dark colors on murals. Minimum mural wall art temperatures (30.0-37.0 C) occurred on surfaces facing East, North, Northwest, and Northeast which also had the lowest lux values (8,86714,231); highest temperatures (44.8-49.9 C) were recorded on walls facing South, Southeast, and West, which had the highest lux values (42,51746,000). Based on results of this study and those investigating mitigation of the urban heat island effect with building materials and coatings on walls and roofs, we recommend a study that uses a systematic approach to locating wall mural art based on specific colors, paint composition, and wall materials to guide local building authorities owners, and artists to maximize albedo. Additionally, we recommend, where possible, mural art should be painted on vertical surfaces facing North, Northeast, and Northwest where * Graduated from the University of Richmond in 2019. Sarah is currently working at the Keck Center for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: 500 5th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Virginia Journal of Science Volume 71, Issue 1 & 2 Spring & Summer 2020 doi: 10.25778/6hjn-a318 Note: This manuscript has been accepted for publication and is online ahead of print. It will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Virginia Journal of Science, Vol. 71, No. 1, 2020 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol71/iss1

A Survey on Securing Personally Identifiable Information on Smartphones

Abstract: With an ever-increasing footprint, already topping three billion devices, smartphones have become a huge cybersecurity concern. The portability of smartphones makes them convenient for users to access and store personally identifiable information (PII); this also makes them a popular target for hackers. This survey paper shares practical insights derived from analyzing 16 real-life case studies that exemplify: the vulnerabilities that leave smartphones open to cybersecurity attacks; the mechanisms and attack vectors typically used to steal PII from smartphones; the potential impact of PII breaches upon all parties involved; and recommended defenses to help prevent future PII losses. The contribution of this research is recommending proactive measures to dramatically decrease the frequency of PII loss involving smartphones.

Central Administration of Agouti-Related Peptide Increases Food Intake in Japanese Quail

Abstract: Agouti-related peptide is a 132-amino acid peptide associated with stimulating food intake in birds and mammals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of AgRP in seven-day old Japanese quail. In Experiment 1, we tested 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 nmol AgRP and found no effect on food or water intake over a threehour period. In Experiment 2, we tested 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 nmol AgRP and found no effect on food or water intake over 24 hours. In Experiment 3, we tested 0.0625 and 0.125 nmol AgRP and found no effect on food intake over a 24-hour duration, but found an increase in water intake 900 minutes following injection. In Experiment 4, we found an increase in food and water intake 900 minutes following injection in quail which received 1.5, but not 3.0, nmol AgRP. In Experiment 5, we found that AgRP had no effect on behaviors other than food intake. These results suggest that AgRP might have a stimulatory effect on food intake in Japanese quail.