Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Heterologous Expression And Functional Characterization Of A Gh10 Endoxylanase From Aspergillus Fumigatus Var. Niveus With Potential Biotechnological Application, Josman Velasco, Bianca Oliva, Evandro Jose Mulinari, Leidy Patricia Quintero, Awana Da Silva Lima, Aline Larissa Goncalves, Thiago Augusto Goncalves, Andre Damasio, Fabio Marcio Squina, Adriane Maria Ferreira Milagres, Asmaa Abdella, Mark R. Wilkins, Fernando Segato

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Xylanases decrease the xylan content in pretreated biomass releasing it from hemicellulose, thus improving the accessibility of cellulose for cellulases. In this work, an endo-β-1,4-xylanase from Aspergillus fumigatus var. niveus (AFUMN-GH10) was successfully expressed. The structural analysis and biochemical characterization showed this AFUMN-GH10 does not contain a carbohydrate-binding module. The enzyme retained its activity in a pH range from 4.5 to 7.0, with an optimal temperature at 60°C. AFUMN-GH10 showed the highest activity in beechwood xylan. The mode of action of AFUMNGH10 was investigated by hydrolysis of APTS-labeled xylohexaose, which resulted in xylotriose and xylobiose as the main products. AFUMN-GH10 …

Time-Domain And Frequency-Domain Reflectometry Type Soil Moisture Sensor Performance And Soil Temperature Effects In Fine- And Coarse-Textured Soils, Y. Zhu, S. Irmak, A. J. Jhala, M. C. Vuran, A. Diotto

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The performances of six time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and frequency-domain reflectometry (FDR) type soil moisture sensors were investigated for measuring volumetric soil-water content (θ_v) in two different soil types. Soil-specific calibration equations were developed for each sensor using calibrated neutron probe-measured θ_v. Sensors were also investigated for their performance response in measuring θ_v to changes in soil temperature. The performance of all sensors was significantly different (P<0.05) than the neutron probe-measured θ_v, with the same sensor also exhibiting variation between soils. In the silt loam soil, the 5TE sensor had the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.041 …

Optimization Of Process Parameters And Fermentation Strategy For Xylanase Production In A Stirred Tank Reactor Using A Mutant Aspergillus Nidulans Strain, Asmaa Abdella, Fernando Segato, Mark R. Wilkins

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present work studied the optimization of aeration rate, agitation rate and oxygen transfer and the use of various batch fermentation strategies for xylanase production from a recombinant Aspergillus nidulans strain in a 3 L stirred tank reactor. Maximum xylanase production of 1250 U/mL with productivity of 313 U/mL/day was obtained under an aeration rate of 2 vvm and an agitation rate of 400 rpm using batch fermentation. The optimum volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) for efficient xylanase production was found to be 38.6 h1. Fed batch mode and repeated batch fermentation was also performed with kLa was 38.6 h1. …

Antibiotic Resistance Gene Profile Changes In Cropland Soil After Manure Application And Rainfall, Morgan Meyers, Lisa Durso, John E. Gilley, Heidi Waldrip, Lana Castleberry, Amy Millmier Schmidt

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Land application of manure introduces gastrointestinal microbes into the environment, including bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Measuring soil ARGs is important for active stewardship efforts to minimize gene flow from agricultural production systems; however, the variety of sampling protocols and target genes makes it difficult to compare ARG results between studies. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to characterize and/or quantify 27 ARG targets in soils from 20 replicate, long-term no-till plots, before and after swine manure application and simulated rainfall and runoff. All samples were negative for the 10 b-lactamase genes assayed. For tetracycline resistance, only source …

Optimization Of Process Parameters And Fermentation Strategy For Xylanase Production In A Stirred Tank Reactor Using A Mutant Aspergillus Nidulans Strain, Asmaa Abdella, Fernando Segato, Mark R. Wilkins

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present work studied the optimization of aeration rate, agitation rate and oxygen transfer and the use of various batch fermentation strategies for xylanase production from a recombinant Aspergillus nidulans strain in a 3 L stirred tank reactor. Maximum xylanase production of 1250 U/mL with productivity of 313 U/mL/day was obtained under an aeration rate of 2 vvm and an agitation rate of 400 rpm using batch fermentation. The optimum volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) for efficient xylanase production was found to be 38.6 h-1. Fed batch mode and repeated batch fermentation was also performed with kLa was 38.6 h …

System For Optimizing Fed-Batch Hydrolysis Of Biomass, Chao Tai, Deepak R. Keshwani

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Provided herein is a system for optimizing the fed-batch hydrolysis of biomass.

System And Method For Monitoring Pleural Fluid, Dimitrios Miserlis, Kim Cluff, Abby M. Kelly, Suzanne J. Higgins, Max H. Twedt

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The disclosure is directed to intrapleural air leak detection and monitoring. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an air leak may be detected utilizing at least one sensor to determine whether fluid extracted from a pleural cavity of a patient includes carbon dioxide and/or a second substance. The second substance may be a foreign substance inhaled by the patient to confirm presence of the air leak. The air leak may be further monitored over a period of time by collecting temporally successive measurements associated with detected concentrations of carbon dioxide. Therefore, tissue damage and recovery may be assessed according …

Hydrogen Peroxide Sensors For Biomedical Applications, Jakob Meier, Eric M. Hofferber, Joseph A. Stapleton, Nicole M. Iverson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important molecule within the human body, but many of its roles in physiology and pathophysiology are not well understood. To better understand the importance of H2O2 in biological systems, it is essential that researchers are able to quantify this reactive species in various settings, including in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo systems. This review covers a broad range of H2O2 sensors that have been used in biological systems, highlighting advancements that have taken place since 2015.

Grain Yield, Crop And Basal Evapotranspiration, Production Functions And Water Productivity Response Of Drought-Tolerant And Non-Drought-Tolerant Maize Hybrids Under Different Irrigation Levels, And Population Densities: Part I. In Western Nebraska's Semi-Arid Environments, Ali T. Mohammed, Suat Irmak, William Kranz, Simon Van Donk, C. Dean Yonts

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Grain yield, crop evapotranspiration (ETc), basal evapotranspiration (ETb), ETc-yield production functions (ETYPF), and crop water use efficiency (CWUE) response of three drought-tolerant (DT) and one non-drought-tolerant (NDT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids to two plant population densities (PPDs) [84,000 plants ha-1 (high PPD) and 59,300 plants ha-1 (low PPD)] and three irrigation levels were researched at two semi-arid locations: North Platte (WCREC) and Scottsbluff (MAL), Nebraska, in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The irrigation levels were fully irrigated (FIT), early cutoff (ECOT), and rainfed (RFT). Precipitation in 2010 was above average, 2011 was a normal year, and 2012 was one of …

Microcontroller Based Granular Urea Application Attachment For Rice Transplanter, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Md Monjurul Alam, Md Mosharraf Hossain, Muhammad Rashed Al Mamun

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Transplanting and fertilizer application for rice production in Bangladesh are tedious, time consuming and laborious task, and mostly done manually. Mechanical transplanting of rice becoming popular in the country in recent years and few machines have been developed for granular urea deep placement, however, having some limitations. Placing granular urea precisely along with rice transplanting, an attempt was under taken to design and fabricate an electronic control granular urea applicator to be attach with a 4-row walk behind type rice transplanter. Fabrication of the electronic granular urea applicator was done in the workshop of the Department of Farm Power and …

Municipal Solid Waste Fly Ash Washing For Cement Application, Suthatta Dontriros

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Waste incineration is general solution to manage of municipal solid waste. However, large amount of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) accumulating heavy metals poses problem to the environment. One of the fundamental treatments is called solidification-stabilization of MSWI FA with cement to cap hazardous elements. Elements such as chloride and sulfate are captured in MSWI FA when it is collected in an air pollution control device causing low compressive strength of concrete. Thus, a further treatment of MSWI FA to remove these salts are required. Therefore, this study investigated MSWI FA treatment by deionized water, 0.01M and …

การดูดซับสารกลุ่มไตรฮาโลมีเทนโดยวัสดุโครงข่ายโลหะอินทรีย์ที่ทำการคาร์บอไนซ์, จิรภิญญา โอทอง

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้มีเป้าหมายเพื่อศึกษาการประยุกต์ใช้วัสดุโครงข่ายโลหะอินทรีย์ที่ทำการคาร์บอไนซ์เพื่อดูดซับสารกลุ่มไตรฮาโลมีเทน โดยทำการสังเคราะห์วัสดุโครงข่ายโลหะอินทรีย์ (MOFs) ชนิด MIL-53(Al), ZIF-8(Zn) และ HKUST-1(Cu) ที่อุณหภูมิห้อง และนำมาผ่านกระบวนการคาร์บอนไนเซชันที่อุณหภูมิ 900 องศาเซลเซียส ภายในก๊าซไนโตรเจน ( carbonized MIL-53(Al), carbonized ZIF-8(Zn) และ Carbonized HKUST-1(Cu)) เพื่อเพิ่มเสถียรภาพในวัฏภาคน้ำ และศึกษาดูดซับสารกลุ่มไตรฮาโลมีเทนทั้ง 4 ชนิด ได้แก่ คลอโรฟอร์ม(TCM), โบรโมฟอร์ม(TBM), โบรโมไดคลอรามีเทน (BDCM) และไดโบรโมคลอรามีเทน (DBCM) แบบทีละเทในน้ำประปา โดยทำการเปรียบเทียบประสิทธิภาพการดูดซับกับถ่านกัมมันต์ชนิดผงเกรดการค้า (PAC) จากผลการทดลองพบว่าตัวดูดซับที่ทำการคาร์บอไนซ์มีประสิทธิภาพในการดูดซับสูงกว่าตัวดูดซับแบบปกติ carbonized MIL-53(Al) มีอัตราเร็วในการดูดซับสารไตรฮาโลมีเทนทั้ง 4 ชนิดสูงกว่า carbonized MOFs อีก 2 ตัวและใกล้เคียงกับ PAC โดยจลนพลศาสตร์การดูดซับของสารไตรฮาโลมีเทนของ carbonized MIL-53(Al) และถ่านกัมมันต์ชนิดผงเกรดการค้า เป็นไปตามจลนพลศาสตร์การดูดซับลำดับที่ 2 เสมือน และเข้าสู่สภาวะสมดุลภายในระยะเวลา 40 นาที และ 60 นาที ตามลำดับ การศึกษาไอโซเทอมการดูดซับพบว่า carbonized MIL-53(Al) สามารถดูดซับสารไตรฮาโลมีเทนได้ดีกว่า PAC โดยสามารถดูดสารโบรโมฟอร์มได้ดีที่สุด (TCM

Global Food Security Under Climate-Water-Energy Nexus, Ehsan Najafi

Dissertations and Theses

During the last few decades, the global agricultural production has risen and technology enhancement is still contributing to yield growth. However, population growth, water and energy crisis, and extreme weather, climate change, etc. threaten the global food security. The focus of this study is to advance the understanding of the associations between crops productivity and large scale and local scale climatic variables, climate change, technology enhancement and assessing food-water-energy nexus to enhance global food security in a sustainable manner considering current available resources. As decision-makers try to improve food security, it is important to identify the impact of technology enhancement …

Improving Retrievals Of Crop Vegetation Parameters From Remote Sensing Data, Nathaniel Levitan

Dissertations and Theses

Agricultural systems are difficult to model because crop growth is driven by the strongly nonlinear interaction of Genotype x Environment x Management (G x E x M) factors. Due to the nonlinearity in the interaction of these factors, the amount of data necessary to develop and utilize models to accurately predict the performance of agricultural systems at an operational scale is large. Satellite remote sensing provides the potential to vastly increase the amount of data available for modelling agricultural systems as a result of its high revisit time and spatial coverage. Unfortunately, there have been significant difficulties in deploying remote …

Hydroclimate Drivers And Atmospheric Dynamics Of Floods, Nasser Najibi

Dissertations and Theses

Our preliminary survey showed that most of the recent flood-related studies did not formally explain the physical mechanisms of long-duration and large-peak flood events that can evoke substantial damages to properties and infrastructure systems. These studies also fell short of fully assessing the interactions of coupled ocean-atmosphere and land dynamics which are capable of forcing substantial changes to the flood attributes by governing the exceeding surface flow regimes and moisture source-sink relationships at the spatiotemporal scales important for risk management. This dissertation advances the understanding of the variability in flood duration, peak, volume, and timing at the regional to the …

Variability Of E. Coli In Streambed Sediments And Its Implication For Water Quality, Sadia Salam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), including E. coli, are the number one cause of water quality impairments in the United States according to the USEPA. FIB are used as a predictor to identify the possible presence of pathogens in waterbodies. E. coli is a useful indicator of gastrointestinal (GI) related illnesses from contact with fresh water. While surface water is routinely monitored for water quality, streambed sediments are rarely considered as a source of FIB to the overlying water column. This study focuses on understanding the variation of E. coli concentrations in streambed sediments and the potential impact of sediment sources …

Evaluating Design Criteria For High Hazard Dams In A Changing Climate, Aaron Read Sutton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

With changes in climate, there is the potential for future flooding events to vary in frequency and magnitude. These changes may stress the 432 high hazard dames in West Virginia. The 100-year flowrate is an important design criterion for emergency spillways of high hazard dams. Emergency spillways are designed to be reached only by 100-year flow and above. This work quantified how changes in the 100-year flowrate may affect emergency spillway activation. Peakflow data from the Central Appalachian Ecoregion in WV, taken from 24 USGS gages, were used to analyze changes in the 100-year flowrate.

Flow frequency analysis revealed that …

Minimizing Trihalomethane Formation Through Source Water Monitoring And Optimizing Treatment Practices, Nashid Mirza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Trihalomethanes, a family of halogenated disinfection byproducts, are prevalent in finished drinking water. According to USEPA’s Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules (DBPRs), the regulatory standard of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) is 80 μg/L, and water treatment plant operators are required to closely monitor TTHMs in the finished water on a quarterly basis. Although total organic carbon (TOC) has been identified as a precursor for the TTHMs, knowledge gaps still exist in how specific water and treatment related factors (e.g., intake water quality, seasonal variation, contact time, and treatment train) affect TTHMs formation. Focusing on water treatment plants in southwestern Pennsylvania, …

A Preliminary Sustainability Analysis Of Producing Class A Biosolids With Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes, Janna Brown

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Producing Class A biosolids is a beneficial way to reuse wastewater sludge. Low-cost, low-tech (LCLT) processes are attractive to small water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) because of their low capital costs and simple designs. This study examined the sustainability of conventional and LCLT processes at small WRRFs. The environmental impacts were determined by conducting life cycle assessments. Cost analyses determined the economic impacts. The social impacts were analyzed by investigating case studies and surveys of social response to biosolids. The environmental, economic, and social impacts were normalized, and each technology received an overall score. The technologies studied were direct heat …

Technology For Integrated Groyne-Vetiver Erosion Reduction (Tiger): Case Study In A West African River, Chase M. West

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

River erosion is a problem all over the world. The effects of river erosion are especially hard for farmers in developing countries, where the river is an important part of their farming practices and daily lives. A case study was done in the small village of Fode Binea in Senegal, West Africa to reduce this stream erosion. A new hybrid approach, Technology for Integrated Groyne-Vetiver Erosion Reduction (TIGER) method, was developed. The method includes combining groynes at the toe of the riverbank to reduce toe erosion in the channel and planting a buffer strip with vetiver grass to reduce erosion …