Engineering Commons^™

Morphometric, Biochemical, And Raman Spectral Analyses Of Muscle Damage In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Providing Objective Criteria For Diagnosis And Treatment Monitoring, Kim Cluff

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects approximately 10 million Americans, is characterized by atherosclerosis of the non-coronary arteries. PAD produces a progressive accumulation of ischemic injury to the limbs that is reflected in a gradual worsening in the myofiber morphology and oxidative damage in the gastrocnemius muscle. In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that quantitative morphological and biochemical parameters of gastrocnemius myofibers change in a consistent manner during the progression of PAD, provide an objective grading of muscle degeneration in the ischemic limb, and correlate to clinical stage of PAD. Myofiber morphometrics were determined precisely with mathematical equations that …

Characterization Of Xylan Utilization And Discovery Of A New Endoxylanase In Thermoanaerobacterium Saccharolyticum Through Targeted Gene Deletions, Kara K. Podkaminer, Adam M. Guss, Heather L. Trajano, David A. Hogsett, Lee R. Lynd

Dartmouth Scholarship

The economical production of fuels and commodity chemicals from lignocellulose requires the utilization of both the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions. Xylanase enzymes allow greater utilization of hemicellulose while also increasing cellulose hydrolysis. Recent metabolic engineering efforts have resulted in a strain of Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum that can convert C5 and C6 sugars, as well as insoluble xylan, into ethanol at high yield. To better understand the process of xylan solubilization in this organism, a series of targeted deletions were constructed in the homoethanologenic T. saccharolyticum strain M0355 to characterize xylan hydrolysis and xylose utilization in this organism. While the deletion of …

Two-Dimensional Blood Flow Velocity Estimation Using Ultrasound Speckle Pattern Dependence On Scan Direction And Velocity, Tiantian Xu

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause death in the United States. Although emergency surgery and medicine can be used for cardiovascular disease treatment, the survivors will suffer for it afterwards. Ultrasound blood flow measurement provides a noninvasive way for cardiovascular diseases diagnosis. In this dissertation, three algorithms for blood flow velocity measurements were investigated and optimized. Feature tracking has been previously proposed for vector velocity measurement. In Chapter 3, the optimal amplitude and time thresholds for feature extraction were investigated to minimize flow estimate variance while providing sufficient spatial and temporal coverage of flow area. A new method of lateral …

Dynamics Of Depression Storage During Sprinkler Irrigation And Precipitation Events, Michael B. Mckinney

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

Surface depression storage (D_s) is the volume of precipitation excess which is stored by surface microrelief features of soils. The volume of water stored in surface depressions when precipitation rate exceeds infiltration rate reduces the amount of runoff generated. Because Ds is dependent on soil microrelief, land slope, and crop residue, tillage and management practices can have a considerable impact on the magnitude of this value.

When modeling irrigation systems and surface hydrology, depression storage is often treated as a static abstraction, meaning that maximum storage volume must be filled before runoff occurs. However, several researchers have documented …

Ethanol And Anaerobic Conditions Reversibly Inhibit Commercial Cellulase Activity In Thermophilic Simultaneous Saccharification And Fermentation (Tssf), Kara K. Podkaminer, William R. Kenealy, Christopher D. Herring, David A. Hogsett, Lee R. Lynd

Dartmouth Scholarship

A previously developed mathematical model of low solids thermophilic simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (tSSF) with Avicel was unable to predict performance at high solids using a commercial cellulase preparation (Spezyme CP) and the high ethanol yield Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum strain ALK2. The observed hydrolysis proceeded more slowly than predicted at solids concentrations greater than 50 g/L Avicel. Factors responsible for this inaccuracy were investigated in this study.

Computational Design And Characterization Of A Temperature-Sensitive Plasmid Replicon For Gram Positive Thermophiles, Daniel G. Olson, Lee R. Lynd

Dartmouth Scholarship

Temperature-sensitive (Ts) plasmids are useful tools for genetic engineering, but there are currently none compatible with the gram positive, thermophilic, obligate anaerobe, Clostridium thermocellum. Traditional mutagenesis techniques yield Ts mutants at a low frequency, and therefore requires the development of high-throughput screening protocols, which are also not available for this organism. Recently there has been progress in the development of computer algorithms which can predict Ts mutations. Most plasmids currently used for genetic modification of C. thermocellum are based on the replicon of plasmid pNW33N, which replicates using the RepB replication protein. To address this problem, we set out …

Substrate Stiffness And Adhesivity Influence Neuron Axonal Growth, Eben Grant Estell

Honors College

The nervous system is a complex organ system that coordinates all of the actions of an animal. The transmission of signals between different body parts by this organ system allows the body to function as a whole and interact with the external environment. It is clear then that the nervous system is integral to the function and survival of those organisms in which it has developed; and yet much is lacking in our understanding of the system’s key constituents: neuronal cells or, neurons. In satisfaction of the Honors Thesis, this research investigates how certain conditions of the extracellular environment …

Fluidized-Bed Gasification Of Dairy Manure By Box–Behnken Design, Hanjing Wu, Milford A. Hanna, David D. Jones

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Application of excessive animal manure to the land may cause some environmental problems such as eutrophication of surface waters, degradation of ground water quality, and threats to human health. This paper reports an experimental study on the technology of biomass gasification to treat animal waste by analyzing the effects of key operating parameters on gasification. In this research, dairy manure from the University of Nebraska dairy farm was first collected and dried, and then gasified in a fluidized-bed, laboratory-scale gasifier to generate syngas. The effects of three parameters, namely temperature, steam to biomass ratio (SBR) and the equivalence ratio (ER), …

Living In An Age Of Technology: College Students' Perception Of The Role Of Genetic Engineering And Reproductive Technology In Today's Society, Kayla Quadros

Honors Projects

This study examines attitudes about prevalent issues in genetics and reproduction among the college population. Eighteen interviews were conducted with students at Rhode Island College. Respondents were asked questions about their moral standpoints concerning utilizing genetic engineering for disease control and aesthetic purposes, employing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), regulation of such procedures, and also about media sources for which they have heard of these topics. Findings suggest that, generally, participants felt that genetic engineering for health issues is permissible, yet reprehensible for the purpose of aesthetically "designing" a baby, though four students (three of which were female) found the enhancement …

Accounting For Indirect Land-Use Change In The Life Cycle Assessment Of Biofuel Supply Chains, Susan Tarka Sanchez, Jeremy Woods, Mark Akhurst, Matthew Brander, Michael O'Hare, Terence P. Dawson, Robert Edwards, Adam J. Liska, Rick Malpas

Adam Liska Papers

The expansion of land used for crop production causes variable direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions; and other economic, social and environmental effects. We analyze the use of life cycle analysis (LCA) for estimating the carbon intensity of biofuel production from indirect land-use change (ILUC). Two approaches are critiqued; direct, attributional life cycle analysis (ALCA) and consequential life cycle analysis (CLCA). A proposed hybrid “combined model” of the two approaches for ILUC analysis relies on first defining the system boundary of the resulting full LCA. Choices are then made as to the modeling methodology (economic equilibrium or cause-effect), data inputs, …

First Long-Term, Direct Measurements Of Evapotranspiration And Surface Water Balance In The Nebraska Sandhills, David P. Billesbach, Timothy J. Arkebauer

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The Nebraska SandHills is a vast grassland ecoregion that also serves as the main recharge zone for the High Plains (Ogallala) aquifer. Despite the national importance of this region in supplying irrigation water and supporting the US cattle industry, there have, until now, been no long-term, direct measurements of the components of the surface water balance. We have addressed this issue by installing energy balance/Bowen ratio (EBBR) flux towers in three key ecosystems. We report here the results of 7 years of measurements and interpret them in terms of annual weather variability. Additionally, these data have allowed us to make …

Development Of Porous Polymeric Implants For Use In Orthopedic Research And Development Applications, Alexander Caddell

Honors College

Current orthopedic implants comprised of plastic, ceramic, or metal alloys are susceptible to surface degradation at the implant-implant interface. The resulting microscopic fragments cause tissue irritation that can lead to osteolysis. In addition, existing percutaneous implants, such as pins used to stabilize fractures, are prone to bacterial infections due to the inability of the surrounding soft tissue to adhere to the implant and form a biologic seal. The goal of this Honors Thesis was to develop porous polymeric implants for orthopedic research and development applications that improve upon current designs in an attempt to remedy the issues detailed above. A …

Chemical Modification Of Polysaccharides Using Reactive Extrusion, Pratik Bhandari

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations and Theses

The objective of this dissertation was to study the use of reactive extrusion for the chemical modifications of starch and cellulose. A carboxymethyl derivative of starch and carboxymethyl and acetate derivatives of cellulose were prepared using reactive extrusion.

Carboxymethyl starch with rapid swelling properties in water was prepared using reactive extrusion. This was achieved by controlling the gelatinization and through the use of NaOH by controlling the water/ethanol ratio. The effects of NaOH, H₂O, temperature, ethanol, sodium mono chloro acetate, sodium tripolyphosphate, citric acid, epichlorohydrin and extruder screw configuration on the degree of substitution of carboxymethyl starch were …

Complete Genome Sequence Of Clostridium Clariflavum Dsm 19732, Javier A. Izquierdo, Lynne Goodwin, Karen W. Davenport, Hazuki Teshima

Dartmouth Scholarship

Clostridium clariflavum is a Cluster III Clostridium within the family Clostridiaceae isolated from thermophilic anaerobic sludge (Shiratori et al, 2009). This species is of interest because of its similarity to the model cellulolytic organism Clostridium thermocellum and for the ability of environmental isolates to break down cellulose and hemicellulose. Here we describe features of the 4,897,678 bp long genome and its annotation, consisting of 4,131 protein-coding and 98 RNA genes, for the type strain DSM 19732.

The Biological Systems Engineering Program In Nebraska 1895-2011, William Splinter

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

4. Preface: How Mechanization Has Impacted Food Production THE PIONEERS WHO ESTABLISHED THIS DEPARTMENT 8 Oscar Van Pelt Stout 10 Charles Russ Richards 12 J. Brownlee Davidson 14 Leon W. Chase FORMER FACULTY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS 18 Laurence Froyd Seaton 20 Ivan D.Wood 22 Oscar W. Sjogren 23 Chauncey W. Smith 25 Elmer E. Brackett 27 Claud Kedzie Shedd 29 Ruby M. Loper 31 Lester F. Larsen 33 Lloyd W. Hurlbut 36 Rollin Schnieder 39 Howard D. Wittmuss 41 Deon Axthelm 46 Paul. E. Fischbach 48 Stuart O. Nelson 51 Kenneth von Bargen 56 John R. Davis 58 Robert W. …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Surface Residue Cover On Single And Dual Crop Coefficient For Estimating Soybean Actual Evapotranspiration, Lameck O. Odhiambo, Suat Irmak

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Single and dual crop coefficient methods are used in conjunction with grass reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) to estimate actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_c). However, the impact of soil surface residue cover on the accuracy of ET_c estimated with these methods is not well understood. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the FAO-56 single crop coefficient (single-K_c) and dual crop coefficient (dual-K_c) methods for estimating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ET_c in a partially residue covered field. The study was conducted …

Computational Analysis Of Hybrid Norwood Circulation With Distal Aortic Arch Obstruction And Reverse Blalock-Taussig Shunt, Andres Ceballos, I. Ricardo Argueta-Morales, Eduardo Divo, Ruben Osorio, Christopher A. Caldarone, Alain J. Kassab, William M. Decampli

Mechanical Engineering - Daytona Beach

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamics characteristics of the hybrid Norwood (HN) procedure differ from those of the conventional Norwood and are not fully understood. We present a multi-scale model of HN circulation to understand local hemodynamics and effects of aortic arch stenosis and a reverse Blalock-Taussig shunt (RBTS) on coronary and carotid perfusion. METHODS: Four 3-dimensional models of four HN anatomic variants were developed, with and without 90% distal preductal arch stenosis and with and without a 4-mm RBTS. A lumped parameter model of the circulation was coupled to a local 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. Outputs from the lumped parameter model …

Computational Fluid Dynamics In Congenital Heart Disease, William M. Decampli, I. Ricardo Argueta-Morales, Eduardo Divo, Alain J. Kassab

Mechanical Engineering - Daytona Beach

Computational fluid dynamics has been applied to the design, refinement, and assessment of surgical procedures and medical devices. This tool calculates flow patterns and pressure changes within a virtual model of the cardiovascular system. In the field of paediatric cardiac surgery, computational fluid dynamics is being used to elucidate the optimal approach to staged reconstruction of specific defects and study the haemodynamics of the resulting anatomical configurations after reconstructive or palliative surgery. In this paper, we review the techniques and principal findings of computational fluid dynamics studies as applied to a few representative forms of congenital heart disease.

Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges For Sustainable Production, Douglas L. Karlen, David Archer, Adam Liska, Seth Meyer

Adam Liska Papers

Quantifying energy issues associated with agricultural systems, even for a two-crop corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotation, is not a simple task. It becomes even more complicated if the goal is to include all aspects of sustainability (i.e., economic, environmental, and social). This Issue Paper examines energy issues associated with and affecting corn/soybean rotations by first defining the size of the system from both a U.S. and global perspective and then establishing boundaries based on the Farm Bill definition of sustainability. This structured approach is essential to help quantify energy issues within corn/soybean …

Climate Change Impacts On Streamflow, Water Quality, And Best Management Practices For The Shell And Logan Creek Watersheds In Nebraska, M. W. Van Liew, S. Feng, T. B. Pathak

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Improvements in the management of water, sediment, and nutrients under future climatic conditions are needed to ensure increased crop and livestock production to meet greater global needs and the future availability of water for competing demands and protection against adverse water quality impairments. This study determined the impacts of future climate change scenarios on streamflow, water quality, and best management practices (BMPs) for two watersheds in Nebraska, USA. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was employed to simulate streamflow, sediment, total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P) from the Shell Creek Watershed near Columbus, Nebraska and the Logan Creek …

Carbon, Water, And Heat Flux Responses To Experimental Burning And Drought In A Tallgrass Prairie, Marc L. Fischer, M S. Torn, David P. Billesbach, Geoffrey Doyle, Brian Northup, Sebastien C. Biraud

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Drought and fire are common disturbances to grassland ecosystems. We report two years of eddy covariance ecosystem–atmosphere fluxes and biometric variables measured in nearby burned and unburned pastures in the US Southern Great Plains. Over the course of the experiment, annual precipitation (∼600 mm yr⁻¹) was lower than the long term mean (∼860 mm yr⁻¹). Soil moisture decreased from productive conditions in March 2005 dry, unproductive conditions during the growing season starting in March 2006. Just prior to the burn in early March 2005, burned and unburned pastures contained 520 ± 60 and 360 ± 40 …

An Investigation Of Reflective Mulches For Use Over Capillary Mat Systems For Winter-Time Greenhouse Strawberry Production, George E. Meyer, Ellen T. Paparozzi, Elizabeth Walter-Shea, Erin E. Blankenship, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Photosynthethically active radiation (PAR) is a principle environmental variable used by horticultural specialists, agronomists and ecosystem modelers to characterize the quantity and quality of light conducive to plant growth and development. Spatial distribution of PAR in a greenhouse can be quite variable and diffuse throughout the day time photoperiod, especially at low sun angles in northern regions of the United States. Four colors of reflective plastic mulches (white, red, olive, and black) were evaluated for winter-time strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production based on their reflectance and transmittance properties in a double-polyethylene, plastic-glazed Quonset greenhouse inNebraska. The spectral properties …

A 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics Model For Forced Air Cooling Of Eggs Placed In Trays, Vikas Kumar, Ai Pheeng Wee, Sohan Birla, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Harshanardhan Thippareddi

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Shell eggs must be cooled quickly after laying for controlling Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) growth. To fulfill a research need identified by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was developed to predict the temperature of eggs placed on a tray (6 rows × 5 columns) under forced air cooling. The continuity, momentum, and energy equations were solved along with standard k-ε turbulence model using PHOENICS software. The model was validated by conducting experiments in a wind tunnel at various air temperatures (7–11 °C) and velocities (0.3– 0.7 m/s). Root mean square error for predicting …

Using Rapid Geomorphic Assessments To Assess Streambank Stability In Oklahoma Ozark Streams, Derek M. Heeren, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Garey A. Fox, Daniel E. Storm, Abdulsahib T. Al-Madhhachi, Taber L. Midgley, Ashley F. Stringer, Kevin B. Stunkel, Ron D. Tejral

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

High streambank erosion and failure rates on streams in the Ozark ecoregion of Oklahoma may be attributed to land use change and degradation of riparian areas. Numerous benefits may be achieved from streambank stabilization, but methods are needed to determine the most critical reaches for investing limited funds. Rapid geomorphic assessments (RGAs) have been used to aid in prioritizing stream reaches. This research (1) applied an existing RGA, the channel stability index (CSI), on several reaches along the Barren Fork Creek and Spavinaw Creek, and (2) modified the existing RGA to create an ecoregion-specific RGA called the Oklahoma Ozark streambank …

Subsurface Phosphorus Transport And Scale Dependent Phosphorus Leaching In Alluvial Floodplains, Derek Michael Heeren

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Increased nutrient loads have resulted in several adverse impacts on surface water quality, including excessive algal growth, fish kills, and drinking water taste and odor issues across the United States and especially in the Ozark ecoregion of northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. Nitrogen is a concern, but phosphorus (P) is generally considered the limiting nutrient in most surface water systems. Scientists and engineers need to identify critical nutrient source areas and transport mechanisms within a catchment in order to cost effectively protect and enhance drinking water systems, recreation activities, and aquatic ecosystems. While surface runoff is considered to be the …

Global Estimation Of Evapotranspiration Using A Leaf Area Index-Based Surface Energy And Water Balance Model, H. Yan, S.Q. Wang, David P. Billesbach, Walter Oechel, J.H. Zhang, Tilden Meyers, Ta. Martin, Roser Matamala, Dennis D. Baldocchi, G. Bohrer, D. Dragoni, R. Scott

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Studies of global hydrologic cycles, carbon cycles and climate change are greatly facilitated when global estimates of evapotranspiration (E) are available. We have developed an air-relative-humidity-based two-source (ARTS) E model that simulates the surface energy balance, soil water balance, and environmental constraints on E. It uses remotely sensed leaf area index (L_ai) and surface meteorological data to estimate E by: 1) introducing a simple biophysical model for canopy conductance (G_c), defined as a constant maximum stomatal conductance g_smax of 12.2mm s⁻¹multiplied by air relative humidity (R_{h …}