Laboratory Scale Concept Validation And Evaluation Of Compromising Plant Nodal Integrity As A Means To Increase Bale Density,
2014
University of Kentucky
Laboratory Scale Concept Validation And Evaluation Of Compromising Plant Nodal Integrity As A Means To Increase Bale Density, Aaron P. Turner
Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Transportation costs represent a significant role in the economics of packaged hay and biomass crops. The material’s low bulk density limits transportation efficiency. Density is currently limited by the ability of the baling twine to withstand the expansion forces generated by the baled material shortly after it is ejected from the bale chamber. It was hypothesized that compromising the structure of the plant, particularly the plant nodes could reduce the amount of energy stored in the material as it is compressed and thereby reduce the material’s elastic response to compression. Literature pertinent to the biomass material’s behavior in compression was …
Field Implementation Of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Biomass Pretreatment: Fungal Identification And Inoculation Techniques,
2014
University of Kentucky
Field Implementation Of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Biomass Pretreatment: Fungal Identification And Inoculation Techniques, Bobby D. Carey Jr
Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Scaling biological pretreatment from the bench scale to the production scale may be more economical if unsterilized feedstock are used, however these allow for microbial competition from contaminates. An accurate and rapid method for identifying the desired biological pretreatment organism is necessary to confirm the presence of the desired organism when contaminates are morphologically similar to the target organism. Traditional methods, such as visual identification, sequencing, and selective plating can be time consuming and are sometimes still inconclusive. Based on methods described in the literature, plasmid DNA containing the marker genes gus (�-glucuronidase), LacZ, and gfp (green fluorescence protein) …
Design And Construction Of A Portable Cattle Loading Ramp,
2014
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Design And Construction Of A Portable Cattle Loading Ramp, Gino A. Torlai
BioResource and Agricultural Engineering
This project is to design and construct an affordable and effective portable cattle loading trailer. The trailer should save money by not having to buy a commercial brand and also by being able to utilize the piece of equipment at multiple different ranches.
Development And Testing Of An In-Stream
Phosphorus Cycling Model For The
Soil And Water Assessment Tool,
2014
USDA-ARS Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Lab., Temple, TX
Development And Testing Of An In-Stream Phosphorus Cycling Model For The Soil And Water Assessment Tool, Michael J. White, Daniel E. Storm, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Philip R. Busteed, Brian E. Haggard, Colleen Rossi
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool is widely used to predict the fate and transport of phosphorus (P) from the landscape through streams and rivers. The current in-stream P submodel may not be suitable for many stream systems, particularly those dominated by attached algae and those affected by point sources. In this research, we developed an alternative submodel based on the equilibrium P concentration concept coupled with a particulate scour and deposition model. This submodel was integrated with the SWAT model and applied to the Illinois River Watershed in Oklahoma, a basin influenced by waste water treatment plant discharges and …
Simulation Supported Estimation Of End-To-End
Transmission Parameters In Non-Viral Gene Delivery,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Simulation Supported Estimation Of End-To-End Transmission Parameters In Non-Viral Gene Delivery, Beata J. Wysocki, Tadeusz A. Wysocki, Timothy M. Martin, Angela K. Pannier
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Communications, in general, involve delivery of information from a source to a sink. At nano-scale, an example of a man-made communications involving interfacing with biological systems at intra-cellular level is non-viral gene delivery. From a telecommunications engineering perspective, important end-to-end parameters of such a system are: the endto- end delay, system capacity, and packet loss rate. There are neither known methods to estimate those parameters theoretically nor they are ready available from standard measurements. The paper provides estimates for those parameters based on the simulation of non-viral gene delivery system based on the queuing theory. The simulator used has been …
Alginate/Silica Hybrid Materials For Immobilization
Of Green Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris For Cellbased
Sensor Arrays,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Alginate/Silica Hybrid Materials For Immobilization Of Green Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris For Cellbased Sensor Arrays, Angela K. Pannier, Ulrich Soltmann, Bettina Soltmann, Rolf Altenburger, Mechthild Schmitt-Jansen
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Thin layers and patterned dot arrays of sodium alginate containing living microalgal cells were deposited onto glass carriers which were subsequently gelled using amino-functionalized silica sol to obtain reinforced alginate hydrogels. The resulting alginate/silica hybrid materials showed improved stability in salt-containing solutions compared to alginate gels gelled by traditional methods using Ca2+-ions. Cell arrays were patterned by printing nanolitre-scale drops of sodium alginate/cell suspension using a noncontact micro-dosage system which allows the printing of solutions of high viscosity. Cultures of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris were immobilized within the newly developed alginate/silica hydrogels in order to demonstrate the …
In Vitro Development Of Preimplantation Porcine Embryos
Using Alginate Hydrogels As A Three-Dimensional
Extracellular Matrix,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
In Vitro Development Of Preimplantation Porcine Embryos Using Alginate Hydrogels As A Three-Dimensional Extracellular Matrix, Catherine Sargus-Patino, Elane C. Wright, Sarah A. Plautz, Jeremy R. Miles, Jeff L. Vallet, Angela K. Pannier
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Between Days 10 and 12 of gestation, porcine embryos undergo a dramatic morphological change, known as elongation, with a corresponding increase in oestrogen production that triggers maternal recognition of pregnancy. Elongation deficiencies contribute to embryonic loss, but exact mechanisms of elongation are poorly understood due to the lack of an effective in vitro culture system. Our objective was to use alginate hydrogels as three-dimensional scaffolds that can mechanically support the in vitro development of preimplantation porcine embryos. White cross-bred gilts were bred at oestrus (Day 0) to Duroc boars and embryos were recovered on Days 9, 10 or 11 of …
Nutrient Concentrations Of Runoff As Affected By The Diameter Of Unconsolidated Material From Feedlot Surfaces,
2014
USDA & UNL Biological Systems Engineering
Nutrient Concentrations Of Runoff As Affected By The Diameter Of Unconsolidated Material From Feedlot Surfaces, John E. Gilley, Gregory Boone, David B. Marx
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Beef cattle feedlots contain unconsolidated material that accumulates on the feedlot surface during a feeding cycle. This study was conducted to measure the effects of varying diameters of unconsolidated surface material and varying flow rates on nutrient concentrations in runoff. Unconsolidated surface material with an average diameter of 4.76, 9.53, 19.1, or 47.5 mm and a composite sample with a 15.2 mm mean diameter were placed within 0.75 m wide × 4.0 m long plot areas. Flow was then introduced at the top of the plots in successive increments, and runoff samples for water quality analyses were obtained. Particle diameter …
Dynamic Analysis Of Dna Nanoparticle Immobilization To Model Biomaterial Substrates Using Combinatorial Spectroscopic Ellipsometry And Quartz Crystal Microbalance With Dissipation,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dynamic Analysis Of Dna Nanoparticle Immobilization To Model Biomaterial Substrates Using Combinatorial Spectroscopic Ellipsometry And Quartz Crystal Microbalance With Dissipation, Tadas Kasputis, Alex Pieper, Mathias Schubert, Angela K. Pannier
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Gene expression within cells can be altered through gene delivery approaches, which have tremendous potential for gene therapy, tissue engineering, and diagnostics. Substrate-mediated gene delivery describes the delivery of plasmid DNA or DNA complexed with nonviral vectors to cells from a surface, with the DNA immobilized to a substrate through specific or nonspecific interactions. In this work, DNA-nanoparticle (DNA–NP) adsorption to substrates is evaluated using combinatorial, in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (SE/QCM-D), to evaluate the basic dynamic processes involved in the adsorption and immobilization of DNA–NP complexes to substrates. The concentration of DNA–NP solutions influences …
Soybean Yield, Evapotranspiration, Water
Productivity, And Soil Water Extraction Response
To Subsurface Drip Irrigation And Fertigation,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Soybean Yield, Evapotranspiration, Water Productivity, And Soil Water Extraction Response To Subsurface Drip Irrigation And Fertigation, Suat Irmak, James E. Specht, Lameck O. Odhiambo, J. M. Rees, K. G. Cassman
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), crop water use efficiency (CWUE), evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETWUE), and soil water extraction response to eleven treatments of full, limited, or delayed irrigation versus a rainfed control were investigated using a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system at a research site in south-central Nebraska. The SDI system laterals were 0.40 m deep in every other row middle of 0.76 m spaced plant rows. Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) was quantified in all treatments and used to schedule irrigation events on a 100% ETa replacement basis in all but …
Combined Qcm-D/Ge As A Tool To Characterize Stimuli-Responsive Swelling Of And Protein Adsorption On Polymer Brushes Grafted Onto 3d-Nanostructures,
2014
Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden
Combined Qcm-D/Ge As A Tool To Characterize Stimuli-Responsive Swelling Of And Protein Adsorption On Polymer Brushes Grafted Onto 3d-Nanostructures, Meike Koenig, Tadas Kasputis, Daniel Schmidt, Keith B. Rodenhausen Jr., Klaus-Jochen Eichhorn, Angela K. Pannier, Mathias Schubert, Manfred Stamm, Petra Uhlmann
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
A combined setup of quartz crystal microbalance and generalized ellipsometry can be used to comprehensively investigate complex functional coatings comprising stimuli-responsive polymer brushes and 3D nanostructures in a dynamic, noninvasive in situ measurement. While the quartz crystal microbalance detects the overall change in areal mass, for instance, during a swelling or adsorption process, the generalized ellipsometry data can be evaluated in terms of a layered model to distinguish between processes occurring within the intercolumnar space or on top of the anisotropic nanocolumns. Silicon films with anisotropic nanocolumnar morphology were prepared by the glancing angle deposition technique and further functionalized by …
Parallel Synthesis Of Poly(Amino Ether)-Templated Plasmonic
Nanoparticles For Transgene Delivery,
2014
Arizona State University
Parallel Synthesis Of Poly(Amino Ether)-Templated Plasmonic Nanoparticles For Transgene Delivery, James Ramos, Thrimoorthy Potta, Olivia Scheideler, Kaushal Rege
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Plasmonic nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated for numerous applications in medicine, sensing, and catalysis. In particular, gold nanoparticles have been investigated for separations, sensing, drug/nucleic acid delivery, and bioimaging. In addition, silver nanoparticles demonstrate antibacterial activity, resulting in potential application in treatments against microbial infections, burns, diabetic skin ulcers, and medical devices. Here, we describe the facile, parallel synthesis of both gold and silver nanoparticles using a small set of poly(amino ethers), or PAEs, derived from linear polyamines, under ambient conditions and in absence of additional reagents. The kinetics of nanoparticle formation were dependent on PAE concentration and chemical composition. …
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectral Biomarkers Correlate With
Ankle Brachial Index And Characterize Leg Muscle Biochemical
Composition Of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease,
2014
Wichita State University
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectral Biomarkers Correlate With Ankle Brachial Index And Characterize Leg Muscle Biochemical Composition Of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease, Kim Cluff, Abby M. Kelly, Panagiotis Koutakis, Xiang N. He, Xi Huang, Yongfeng Lu, Iraklis I. Pipinos, George P. Casale, Jeyamkondan Subbiah
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by atherosclerotic blockages of the arteries supplying the lower extremities, which cause a progressive accumulation of ischemic injury to the skeletal muscles of the lower limbs. This injury includes altered metabolic processes, damaged organelles, and compromised bioenergetics in the affected muscles. The objective of this study was to explore the association of Raman spectral signatures of muscle biochemistry with the severity of atherosclerosis in the legs as determined by the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and clinical presentation. We collected muscle biopsies from the gastrocnemius (calf muscle) of five patients with clinically diagnosed claudication, five …
Water-Stable Three-Dimensional Ultrafine Fibrous Scaffolds From
Keratin For Cartilage Tissue Engineering,
2014
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Water-Stable Three-Dimensional Ultrafine Fibrous Scaffolds From Keratin For Cartilage Tissue Engineering, Helan Xu, Shaobo Cai, Lan Xu, Yiqi Yang
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Intrinsically water-stable scaffolds composed of ultrafine keratin fibers oriented randomly and evenly in three dimensions were electrospun for cartilage tissue engineering. Keratin has been recognized as a biomaterial that could substantially support the growth and development of multiple cell lines. Besides, three-dimensional (3D) ultrafine fibrous structures were preferred in tissue engineering due to their structural similarity to native extracellular matrices in soft tissues. Recently, we have developed a nontraditional approach to developing 3D fibrous scaffolds from alcohol-soluble corn protein, zein, and verified their structural advantages in tissue engineering. However, keratin with highly cross-linked molecular structures could not be readily dissolved …
Intrinsically Water-Stable Keratin Nanoparticles And Their In Vivo
Biodistribution For Targeted Delivery,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Intrinsically Water-Stable Keratin Nanoparticles And Their In Vivo Biodistribution For Targeted Delivery, Helan Xu, Zhen Shi, Narendra Reddy, Yiqi Yang
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Highly water-stable nanoparticles of around 70 nm and capable of distributing with high uptake in certain organs of mice were developed from feather keratin. Nanoparticles could provide novel veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics to boost efficiency in identification and treatment of livestock diseases to improve protein supply and ensure safety and quality of food. Nanoparticles could penetrate easily into cells and small capillaries, surpass detection of the immune system, and reach targeted organs because of their nanoscale sizes. Proteins with positive and negative charges and hydrophobic domains enable loading of various types of drugs and, hence, are advantageous over synthetic polymers …
The Biophysical Link Between Climate, Water, And
Vegetation In Bioenergy Agro-Ecosystems,
2014
Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Biophysical Link Between Climate, Water, And Vegetation In Bioenergy Agro-Ecosystems, Justin E. Bagley, Sarah C. Davis, Matei Georgesu, Mir Zaman Hussain, Jesse Miller, Stephen W. Nesbitt, Andy Vanloocke, Carl J. Bernacchi
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications
Land use change for bioenergy feedstocks is likely to intensify as energy demand rises simultaneously with increased pressure to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Initial assessments of the impact of adopting bioenergy crops as a significant energy source have largely focused on the potential for bioenergy agroecosystems to provide global-scale climate regulating ecosystem services via biogeochemical processes. Such as those processes associated with carbon uptake, conversion, and storage that have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However, the expansion of bioenergy crops can also lead to direct biophysical impacts on climate through water regulating services. Perturbations of processes …
Divergence And Flow Direction As Indicators Of Subsurface
Heterogeneity And Stage-Dependent Storage In Alluvial Floodplains,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Divergence And Flow Direction As Indicators Of Subsurface Heterogeneity And Stage-Dependent Storage In Alluvial Floodplains, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, A. K. Fox, Daniel E. Storm, Ronald B. Miller, Aaron R. Mittelstet
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Assuming homogeneity in alluvial aquifers is convenient, but limits our ability to accurately predict stream-aquifer interactions. Research is needed on (i) identifying the presence of focused, as opposed to diffuse, groundwater discharge/recharge to streams and (ii) the magnitude and role of large-scale bank and transient storage in alluvial floodplains relative to changes in stream stage. The objective of this research was to document and quantify the effect of stage-dependent aquifer heterogeneity and bank storage relative to changes in stream stage using groundwater flow divergence and direction. Monitoring was performed in alluvial floodplains adjacent to the Barren Fork Creek and Honey …
Long-Term Activity Of Biohybrid Coatings Of
Atrazine-Degrading Bacteria Pseudomonas Sp.
Adp,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Long-Term Activity Of Biohybrid Coatings Of Atrazine-Degrading Bacteria Pseudomonas Sp. Adp, Angela K. Pannier, T. Lehrer, M. Vogel, U. Soltmann, H. Bottcher, S. Tarre, M. Green, J. Raff, K. Pollmann
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
The atrazine-degrading bacterial strain Pseudomonas sp. ADP was immobilized by the sol–gel process within thin silica layers coated onto water-retaining carrier materials (expanded clay pellets and scoria). The performance of the obtained biohybrid material has been investigated concerning long-term activity under non-growth conditions. Experiments were run in phosphate buffer containing atrazine (20 mg l-1) as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Even after one year of consecutive batch tests, P. ADP immobilized onto expanded clay pellets showed a high atrazine degradation activity. In the course of long-term batch experiments, the average amount of removed atrazine was about …
Use Of Controller Area Network (Can)
Data To Determine Field Efficiencies
Of Agricultural Machinery,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Use Of Controller Area Network (Can) Data To Determine Field Efficiencies Of Agricultural Machinery, Santosh Pitla, N. Lin, Joe D. Luck, Scott A. Shearer
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is used on current agricultural equipment for in-vehicle communication among multiple microcontrollers. In this study, CAN data was collected from the tractor diagnostic port during three field operations: anhydrous ammonia (NH3) application, field cultivation, and planting. Specifically, CAN messages corresponding to engine fuel use rate were filtered, decoded, and analyzed. High fuel use rates were recorded from the tractor when implements were engaged in the soil compared to when the implements were lifted out of the ground at the end of the passes or, when the tractor was turning and idling. Threshold fuel …
Implementing Green Roofs On Movie Theaters And Shopping Centers: Business Cases In Profitable Sustainability,
2014
Pomona College
Implementing Green Roofs On Movie Theaters And Shopping Centers: Business Cases In Profitable Sustainability, Ryan J. Miller
Pomona Senior Theses
This thesis presents the business case for installing green roofs on movie theaters and shopping centers. These businesses can then derive increased profits from the environmental benefits of reduced energy use and increased stormwater retention. After presenting the basic design and benefits of a green roof, the thesis develops stand-alone business plans for a movie theater and shopping center. The author finds that green roofs are a profitable sustainability solution for the commercial enterprise.
