SummaryPetroleum-based fuels are nonrenewable and unsustainable. Renewable sources of energy, such as lignocellulosic biofuels and plant metabolite-based drop-in fuels, can offset fossil fuel use and reverse environmental degradation through carbon sequestration. Despite these benefits, the lignocellulosic biofuels industry still faces many challenges, including the availability of economically viable crop plants. Cell wall recalcitrance is a major economic barrier for lignocellulosic biofuels production from biomass crops. Sustainability and biomass yield are two additional, yet interrelated, foci for biomass crop improvement. Many scientists are searching for solutions to these problems within biomass crop genomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in almost all biological and metabolic process in plants including plant development, cell wall biosynthesis and plant stress responses. Because of the broad functions of their targets (e.g. auxin response factors), the alteration of plant miRNA expression often results in pleiotropic effects. A specific miRNA usually regulates a biologically relevant bioenergy trait. For example, relatively low miR156 overexpression leads to a transgenic feedstock with enhanced biomass and decreased recalcitrance. miRNAs have been overexpressed in dedicated bioenergy feedstocks such as poplar and switchgrass yielding promising results for lignin reduction, increased plant biomass, the timing of flowering and response to harsh environments. In this review, we present the status of miRNA-related research in several major biofuel crops and relevant model plants. We critically assess published research and suggest next steps for miRNA manipulation in feedstocks for increased biomass and sustainability for biofuels and bioproducts.
Introduction:Hospital waste in the United States (US) generates 7,000 tonnes of waste daily. During the pandemic, hospitals had to increase the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to compare pre and present COVID-19 waste generation amounts in comparison with hospital census and PPE purchased.Method:This research examined the solid waste generated at a level II trauma center from January 2018-December 2021. Data examined included: the amount of solid waste generated, monthly patient census, COVID-19 census, policy changes, and the amount of purchased PPE pre and during the pandemic.Results:PPE product numbers purchased varied with a noticeable increase in mask and gown ordering. The number of admitted COVID-19 patients peaked at 46. Hospital waste tonnage fluctuated but did not show a statistically significant change.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hospitals to increase their PPE posture to help safeguard its employees and patients. In our hospital setting, the use of PPE increased and overall hospital census decreased. This has profound implications for not only the hospital’s revenue, but also with less census volume, there was curiously the same amount of hospital waste generated. This work needs to be continued in other healthcare PPE heavy settings, to better understand the downstream consequences of infectious diseases on responsible hospital waste management and environmental sustainability.
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