Prevention Of Harmful Algal Blooms By The Mitigation Of Phosphorus Nutrient Loading Via Filtration By Steel Wool And Activated Carbon,
2019
The University of Akron
Prevention Of Harmful Algal Blooms By The Mitigation Of Phosphorus Nutrient Loading Via Filtration By Steel Wool And Activated Carbon, Ronald Simpson, Sara Kidd, Samantha Zidd
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a devastating ecological and economic consequence of the abundance of nutrient-rich agricultural runoff entering aquatic ecosystems (Baker et al. 2014). Bio-available phosphorus from synthetic fertilizers is one of the major nutrients contributing to this global issue. Previous studies indicated that dissolved phosphorus can be removed from an aqueous environment when passed through a composite mixture of granular steel wool particles and activated carbon (Erickson, Gulliver, and Weiss, 2007). In this project, we conducted experiments using higher quality concentration measurements to determine what grades of steel wool (SW-0000, SW-000, SW-00) and types of activated carbon (granulated …
Design Of Plant Protection Uav Variable Spray
System Based On Neural Networks,
2019
South China Agricultural University
Design Of Plant Protection Uav Variable Spray System Based On Neural Networks, Sheng Wen, Quanyong Zhang, Xuanchun Yin, Yubin Lan, Jiantao Zhang, Yufeng Ge
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have rapidly emerged as a new technology in the fields of plant protection and pest control in China. Based on existing variable spray research, a plant protection UAV variable spray system integrating neural network based decision making is designed. Using the existing data on plant protection UAV operations, combined with artificial neural network (ANN) technology, an error back propagation (BP) neural network model between the factors affecting droplet deposition is trained. The factors affecting droplet deposition include ambient temperature, ambient humidity, wind speed, flight speed, flight altitude, propeller pitch, nozzles pitch and prescription value. Subsequently, …
Genetic Diversity And Population
Structure Of A Camelina Sativa Spring
Panel,
2019
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of A Camelina Sativa Spring Panel, Zinan Luo, Jordan Brock, John M. Dyer, Toni Kutchan, Daniel P. Schachtman, Megan Augustin, Yufeng Ge, Noah Fahlgren, Hussein Abdel-Haleem
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
There is a need to explore renewable alternatives (e.g., biofuels) that can produce energy sources to help reduce the reliance on fossil oils. In addition, the consumption of fossil oils adversely affects the environment and human health via the generation of waste water, greenhouse gases, and waste solids. Camelina sativa, originated from southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, is being re-embraced as an industrial oilseed crop due to its high seed oil content (36–47%) and high unsaturated fatty acid composition (>90%), which are suitable for jet fuel, biodiesel, high-value lubricants and animal feed. C. sativa’s agronomic advantages include …
Nucleic Acid Delivery To Mesenchymal Stem
Cells: A Review Of Nonviral Methods And
Applications,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nucleic Acid Delivery To Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Review Of Nonviral Methods And Applications, Andrew Hamann, Albert Nguyen, Angela K. Pannier
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can be isolated and expanded from many tissues, and are being investigated for use in cell therapies. Though MSC therapies have demonstrated some success, none have been FDA approved for clinical use. MSCs lose stemness ex vivo, decreasing therapeutic potential, and face additional barriers in vivo, decreasing therapeutic efficacy. Culture optimization and genetic modification of MSCs can overcome these barriers. Viral transduction is efficient, but limited by safety concerns related to mutagenicity of integrating viral vectors and potential immunogenicity of viral antigens. Nonviral delivery methods are safer, though limited …
Water Effects On Optical Canopy Sensing For Late-Season Site-Specific Nitrogen Management Of Maize,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Water Effects On Optical Canopy Sensing For Late-Season Site-Specific Nitrogen Management Of Maize, Tsz Him Lo, Daran Rudnick, Brian Krienke, D. M. Heeren, Yufeng Ge, Tim M. Shaver
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
The interpretation of optical canopy sensor readings for determining optimal rates of late-season site-specific nitrogen application to corn (Zea mays L.) can be complicated by spatially variable water sufficiency, which can also affect canopy size and/or pigmentation. In 2017 and 2018, corn following corn and corn following soybeans were subjected to irrigation×nitrogen fertilizer treatments in west central Nebraska, USA, to induce variable water sufficiency and variable nitrogen sufficiency. The vegetation index-sensor combinations investigated were the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the normalized difference red edge index (NDRE), and the reflectance ratio of near infrared minus red edge over near …
Principal Variable Selection To Explain Grain
Yield Variation In Winter Wheat From Features
Extracted From Uav Imagery,
2019
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Principal Variable Selection To Explain Grain Yield Variation In Winter Wheat From Features Extracted From Uav Imagery, Jiating Li, Arun-Narenthiran Veeranampalayam-Sivakumar, Madhav Bhatta, Nicholas D. Garst, Hannah Stoll, P. Stephen Baenziger, Vikas Belamkar, Reka Howard, Yufeng Ge, Jiating Li
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Background: Automated phenotyping technologies are continually advancing the breeding process. However, collecting various secondary traits throughout the growing season and processing massive amounts of data still take great efforts and time. Selecting a minimum number of secondary traits that have the maximum predictive power has the potential to reduce phenotyping efforts. The objective of this study was to select principal features extracted from UAV imagery and critical growth stages that contributed the most in explaining winter wheat grain yield. Five dates of multispectral images and seven dates of RGB images were collected by a UAV system during the spring growing …
Agenator: An Open Source Computer-Controlled Dry Aging
System For Beef,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Agenator: An Open Source Computer-Controlled Dry Aging System For Beef, Soon Kiat Lau, Felipe Azevedo Ribeiro, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris R. Calkins
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Dry aging of beef is a process where beef is exposed to a controlled environment with the ultimate goal of drying the beef to improve its quality and value. Comprehensive investigations into the effects of various environmental conditions on dry aging are crucial for understanding and optimizing the process, but the lack of affordable equipment focused on data collection makes it difficult to do so. The Agenator was thus developed as an open source system with a suite of features for investigating dry aging such as: measuring and recording relative humidity, temperature, mass, air velocity, and fan rotational speed; precise …
Early Prediction Of Soybean Traits
Through Color And Texture Features
Of Canopy Rgb Imagery,
2019
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Early Prediction Of Soybean Traits Through Color And Texture Features Of Canopy Rgb Imagery, Wenan Yuan, Nuwan Kumara Wijewardane, Shawn Jenkins, Geng Bai, Yufeng Ge, George L. Graef
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Global crop production is facing the challenge of a high projected demand, while the yields of major crops are not increasing at sufficient speeds. Crop breeding is an important way to boost crop productivity, however its improvement rate is partially hindered by the long crop generation cycles. If end-season crop traits such as yield can be predicted through early-season phenotypic measurements, crop selection can potentially be made before a full crop generation cycle finishes. This study explored the possibility of predicting soybean end-season traits through the color and texture features of early-season canopy images. Six thousand three hundred and eighty-three …
Heterologous Expression And Functional Characterization Of A Gh10
Endoxylanase From Aspergillus Fumigatus Var. Niveus With Potential
Biotechnological Application,
2019
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
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 …
Antibiotic Resistance Gene Profile Changes In Cropland Soil After Manure Application And Rainfall,
2019
USDA-ARS
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,
2019
University of Sadat City & University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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,
2019
Decatur, Illinois
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.
Policies Required To Encourage Biomethane As A Transport Fuel,
2019
Cork Institute of Technology
Policies Required To Encourage Biomethane As A Transport Fuel, Daniel Goulding
PhDs
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport industry is a major environmental issue which the world currently faces. In Ireland, the transport sector accounted for 19% of its total GHG emissions in 2015 which is projected to increase to 29% by 2030. The European Union Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) mandates Ireland to achieve a 10% share of renewable energy sources in transport (RES-T) by 2020. The Irish Government proposes to achieve the RES-T through biofuels (9%) and electric vehicles (1%). However, in 2016 the RES-T of Ireland stood at 5.0% and requires significant renewable energy penetration to reach the 2020 …
Waste Management Of Highway Right Of Way Areas In Southeast Georgia,
2019
Georgia Southern University
Waste Management Of Highway Right Of Way Areas In Southeast Georgia, David M. Penn Ii
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Maintenance of highway right of way (ROW) areas has become problematic during the last several years due to the high cost, and little to no economic return associated with disposing vegetation waste that is continuously generated on all highways and interstates across the state of Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) was interested in evaluating the feasibility of replacing ROW vegetation of highways throughout the state with high-value alternatives such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. ‘Alamo’), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus). Preliminary objective involved measuring and mapping SOC and soil N concentrations in the highway …
Municipal Solid Waste Fly Ash Washing For Cement Application,
2019
Faculty of Engineering
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,
2019
คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์
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,
2019
CUNY City College
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,
2019
CUNY City College
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 …
A Preliminary Sustainability Analysis Of Producing Class A Biosolids With Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes,
2019
Michigan Technological University
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,
2019
Michigan Technological University
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 …
