Feedstock in Chemistry and Engineering

A feedstock refers to any unprocessed material used to supply a manufacturing process. Feedstocks are bottleneck assets because their availability determines the ability to make products. In its most general sense, a feedstock is a natural material (e.g., ore, wood, seawater, coal) that has been transformed for marketing in large volumes. In engineering, particularly as it relates to energy, a feedstock refers specifically to a renewable, biological material that can be converted into energy or fuel. In chemistry, a feedstock is a chemical used to support a large-scale chemical reaction. The term usually refers to an organic substance. Also Known As: A feedstock may also be called a  raw material or unprocessed material. Sometimes feedstock is a synonym for biomass. Examples of Feedstocks Using the broad definition of a feedstock, any natural resource might be considered an example, including any mineral, vegetation, or air or water. If it can be mined, grown, caught, or collected and isnt produced by man, its a raw material. When a feedstock is a renewable biological substance, examples include crops, woody plants, algae, petroleum, and natural gas.  Specifically, crude oil is a feedstock for the production of gasoline. In the chemical industry, petroleum is a feedstock for a host of chemicals, including methane, propylene, and butane. Algae is a feedstock for hydrocarbon fuels, Corn is a feedstock for ethanol. Sources McClellan, James E., III; Dorn, Harold (2006). Science and Technology in World History: An Introduction. JHU Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8360-6.

The Role of Zoos in Endangered Species Conservation

The worlds best zoos offer face-to-face encounters with some of the most fascinating and rare creatures on the planet—an experience that few people would ever be able to pursue in the wild. Unlike the cramped cages that housed wild animals in sideshow spectacles of the past, the modern zoo has elevated habitat emulation to an art, carefully recreating natural environments and offering inhabitants challenging activities to reduce boredom and stress. The evolution of zoos has also included programs dedicated to protecting endangered species, both in captivity and in the wild. Zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) participate in Species Survival Plan Programs that involve captive breeding, reintroduction programs, public education, and field conservation to ensure survival for many of the planets threatened and endangered species. Conservation Breeding AZA conservation breeding programs (also known as captive breeding programs) are designed to augment populations of endangered species and avoid extinction via regulated breeding in zoos and other approved facilities. One of the primary challenges facing captive breeding programs is maintaining genetic diversity. If the population of a captive breeding program is too small, inbreeding may result, leading to health problems that can have a negative impact on the species survival. For this reason, breeding is carefully managed to ensure as much genetic variation as possible. Fast Facts: Six Species Saved From Extinction by Zoos Arabian Oryx: Hunted to extinction in the wild, the Arabian Oryx  was revitalized thanks to conservation efforts of Phoenix Zoo  and others. As of 2017, 1,000 animals had been restored to the wild, while thousands more were living in zoo environments.Przewalski’s Horse: The only truly wild species left in the world, Przewalski’s Horse is native to the grasslands of Central Asia. After being declared completely extinct in the wild, it’s made an amazing comeback.California Condor: Not all that long ago, there were only 27 of these magnificent birds left. Thanks to conservation efforts from the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo, hundreds of California Condors have been reintroduced into the wild.Bongo: The  Eastern Bongo, a large antelope native to a remote region of Kenya was one of the last large mammal species to be discovered but poaching and loss of habitat nearly wiped them out.  Zoos worldwide are  to working to establish a stable p opulation to ensure their survival.Panamanian Golden Frog:  Beautiful but extremely poisonous, the entire species succumbed to the effects of a devastating fungal disease in the wild. Since 2007, existing captive populations abetted by collaborative conservation efforts by a number of zoos have staved off their extinction.Golden Lion Tamarin: Close to extinction due to loss of habitat from logging and mining, as well as poaching in its native Brazil, there has been a steady effort since the 1980s to ensure this species doesn’t vanish from the face of the Earth. Currently, about one-third of wild Golden Lion Tamarins come from breeding programs.Source: Taronga Conservation Society Australia Reintroduction Programs The goal of reintroduction programs is to release animals that have been raised or rehabilitated in zoos back into their natural habitats. AZA describes these programs as powerful tools used for stabilizing, re-establishing, or increasing in situ animal populations that have suffered significant declines. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the IUCN Species Survival Commission, AZA-accredited institutions have established reintroduction programs for endangered animals such as the black-footed ferret, California condor, freshwater mussel, and Oregon spotted frog. Public Education Zoos educate millions of visitors each year about endangered species and related conservation issues. Over the past 10 years, AZA-accredited institutions have also trained more than 400,000 teachers with award-winning science curricula. A nationwide study including more than 5,500 visitors from 12 AZA-accredited institutions found that visits to zoos and aquariums prompt individuals to reconsider their role in environmental problems and see themselves as part of the solution. Field Conservation Field conservation focuses on the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats. Zoos participate in conservation projects that support studies of populations in the wild, species recovery efforts, veterinary care for wildlife disease issues, and conservation awareness. AZA sponsors a landing page on the National Geographic Societys Global Action Atlas, featuring worldwide conservation projects associated with participating zoos. Success Stories Today, 31 animal species classified as Extinct in the Wild are being bred in captivity. Reintroduction efforts are underway for six of these species, including the Hawaiian crow. According to the IUCN, conservation breeding and reintroduction have helped prevent the extinction of six out of 16 critically endangered bird species and nine out of 13 mammal species, including species previously classified as Extinct in the Wild. The Future of Zoos and Captive Breeding A study recently published in the journal Science supports the establishment of specialized zoos and a network of captive breeding programs that target species facing an acute risk of extinction. According to the study, Specialization generally increases breeding success. The animals can be parked at these zoos until they have a chance of survival in the natural environment and can then be returned to the wild. Endangered species breeding programs will also help scientists better understand population dynamics critical to the management of animals in the wild.

Deadly Feasts Free Essays

Erica Dunyon Directed Readings Deadly Feasts by Richard Rhodes I have to admit, on the opening scene I was really skeptical about reading this book. I really have always hated the idea of cannibalism, so when I was reading and imagining this, in my mind one word came to my attention, â€Å"Disgusting! † Progression into the book, however, received my attention, and I continued forward. I enjoyed reading this book. We will write a custom essay sample on Deadly Feasts or any similar topic only for you Order Now It was very informative, easy to understand, and easy to read. I learned about various prion diseases and their effect on each species they infect. Deadly Feasts is about spongiform encephalopathies including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Scrapies, Rida, Kuru, and mad cow disease. This book explains the relationships each spongiform disease has in common with each other, as well as their signs and symptoms. Mad cow disease and scrapies are quite similar to each other, and was endemic in Britain when this book was published. Another rare disease occurring in humans known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has then been related to mad cow disease. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is one in which eats human brains. Kuru is thought to be another spongiform disease. Kuru was thought to be a result of sorcery. Initially when this disease was discovered, the belief was leaning toward this disease taking on a genetically transmissible role. After much research, it is known that it is a transmissible disease spread by the consumption of infected flesh. The extremely unusual thing about kuru, along with other spongiform encephalopathies, is that it lacks the presence of inflammation. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are also known as prion diseases. The infectious microbe in TSEs is a specific protein called prion protein. These prion proteins and proteins of the brain are extremely similar. This may be the reason these proteins are not detected by the immune system which is why they do not cause inflammation. These diseases are unique because they are impossible to kill. They have been exposed to virtually everything including, extreme temperatures and radiation, and still have the ability to infect and cause disease. Gajdusek believed that transmission of these spongiform encephalopathies was in the form of protein in diseased dead animals, including sheep and cattle that were fed to other cattle. Rhodes refers to a concept known as industrial cannibalism. This means that the supplements were made from dead cows. Despite the fact that cattle were coming down with a disease that decreases the cow population, supplements were still made with the remaining’s of diseased cattle and fed to other cattle. Transmission of this disease can occur months or even up to decades because the disease can incubate for the allotted time. Britain was responsible for the initiation of research in this epidemic group of diseases. Britain did not inform the public in regards to this disease. They also bought diseased animals for half of the market value. The British government banned individuals from feeding animal waste to other animals, in 1989 to limit the spread of these diseases. In addition to limitting the transmission of these diseases, as a safety measure, the FDA prevented industries from feeding cattle protein from dead sheep, cattle, and other susceptible diseased animals. Europe still has increasing cases of the disease, which it infects many various herds and species of animals, supporting that the epidemic disease is able to spread across the species barrier The British government, by making the wrong public health choices, has conducted a frightening natural experiment, allowing a lethal disease agent to spread through the human food supply, exposing the entire British population. † (Rhodes 97) America is trying to prevent the spread of spongiform disease transmission from Britain to the U. S. by manufacturing our own beef and meat products. Unfortu nately, it would not be known if the disease has affected our population until it is a point when it might be too late. TSE’s are essentially unidentifiable until they progress to the point of brain damage. † (Rhodes 97) Spongiform diseases are still a known problem in the world, and the protection we give ourselves, or lack of protection is an issue brought up by Rhodes. Rhodes refers that spongiform diseases might be Britain’s †new Black Death. † He states that the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are public health problems and not only clinical. Transmission is controlled by actions of both social and institutional aspects. The term the â€Å"new Black Death† refers to the ease of the transmission of the disease. If the plan for eradication is not carefully planned and executed, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies can be a serious epidemically known disease that can cause many deaths. In conclusion, I recommend Deadly Feasts to all individuals, not necessarily limited to only those interested in microbiology. This book gives insight on a former, and always possible, group of diseases that can become epidemic at any time. I believe knowledge is power, so knowing about these diseases only contributes to public safety. How to cite Deadly Feasts, Papers