Robust Estimates Of Soil Moisture And Latent
Heat Flux Coupling Strength Obtained
From Triple Collocation,
2015
Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory, USDA ARS, Beltsville, Maryland
Robust Estimates Of Soil Moisture And Latent Heat Flux Coupling Strength Obtained From Triple Collocation, Wade T. Crow, Fangni Lei, Christopher R. Hain, Martha C. Anderson, Russell L. Scott, David P. Billesbach, Timothy Arkebauer
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Land surface models (LSMs) are often applied to predict the one-way coupling strength between surface soil moisture (SM) and latent heat (LH) flux. However, the ability of LSMs to accurately represent such coupling has not been adequately established. Likewise, the estimation of SM/LH coupling strength using ground-based observational data is potentially compromised by the impact of independent SM and LH measurements errors. Here we apply a new statistical technique to acquire estimates of one-way SM/LH coupling strength which are nonbiased in the presence of random error using a triple collocation approach based on leveraging the simultaneous availability of independent SM …
Using Swat To Simulate Crop Yields And
Salinity Levels In The North Fork River
Basin, Usa,
2015
Oklahoma State University
Using Swat To Simulate Crop Yields And Salinity Levels In The North Fork River Basin, Usa, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Daniel E. Storm, Art L. Stoecker
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Crop yields and salinity levels in the North Fork of the Red River (North Fork River) basin, located in southwestern Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, were analyzed based on the diverse climate in the region. Saline irrigation water is a major problem in the basin. The Elm Fork Creek flows through salt deposits, making the creek and its receiving stream, the North Fork River, too saline to use for irrigation. This greatly reduces the number of hectares that can be utilized for agricultural crops within the basin. A baseline SWAT model was setup, calibrated and validated to simulate streamflow and …
Identifying Intracellular Pdna Losses From A
Model Of Nonviral Gene Delivery,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Identifying Intracellular Pdna Losses From A Model Of Nonviral Gene Delivery, Timothy Michael Martin, Beata Joanna Wysocki, Tadeusz Antoni Wysocki, Angela K. Pannier
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Nonviral gene delivery systems are a type of nanocommunication system that transmit plasmid packets (i.e., pDNA packets) that are programmed at the nanoscale to biological systems at the microscopic cellular level. This engineered nanocommunication system suffers large pDNA losses during transmission of the genetically encoded information, preventing its use in biotechnological and medical applications. The pDNA losses largely remain uncharacterized, and the ramifications of reducing pDNA loss from newly designed gene delivery systems remain difficult to predict. Here, the pDNA losses during primary and secondary transmission chains were identified utilizing a MATLAB model employing queuing theory simulating delivery of pEGFPLuc …
Narrow Grass Hedges Reduce Tylosin And Associated Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In Agricultural Runoff,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Narrow Grass Hedges Reduce Tylosin And Associated Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In Agricultural Runoff, Bhavneet Soni, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt, Daniel D. Snow, John E. Gilley, Bryan Woodbury, David B. Marx, Xu Li
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Agricultural runoff from areas receiving livestock manure can potentially contaminate surface water with antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of narrow grass hedges (NGHs) on reducing the transport of antimicrobials and ARGs in runoff after land application of swine manure slurry. Plot-scale rainfall simulation tests were conducted on 0.75 m by 4.0 m plots designed to test three treatment factors: manure amendment (control plots receiving no manure vs. amended plots receiving manure based on 3 times N requirement), NGH (plots with a NGH vs. plots without a NGH), and rainfall …
Vulnerability Of Crops And Native Grasses To Summer Drying In The U.S.
Southern Great Plains,
2015
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Vulnerability Of Crops And Native Grasses To Summer Drying In The U.S. Southern Great Plains, Naama Raz-Yaseef, Dave P. Billesbach, Marc L. Fischer, Sebastien C. Biraud, Stacey A. Gunter, James A. Bradford, Margaret S. Torn
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
The Southern Great Plains are characterized by a fine-scale mixture of different land-cover types, predominantly winter-wheat and grazed pasture, with relatively small areas of other crops, native prairie, and switchgrass. Recent droughts and predictions of increased drought in the Southern Great Plains, especially during the summer months, raise concern for these ecosystems. We measured ecosystem carbon and water fluxes with eddy-covariance systems over cultivated cropland for 10 years, and over lightly grazed prairie and new switchgrass fields for 2 years each. Growing-season precipitation showed the strongest control over net carbon uptake for all ecosystems, but with a variable effect: grasses …
A Sustainable Slashing Industry Using Biodegradable Sizes From
Modified Soy Protein To Replace Petro-Based Poly(Vinyl Alcohol),
2015
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
A Sustainable Slashing Industry Using Biodegradable Sizes From Modified Soy Protein To Replace Petro-Based Poly(Vinyl Alcohol), Yi Zhao, Yuzhu Zhao, Helan Xu, Yiqi Yang
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Biodegradable sizing agents from triethanolamine (TEA) modified soy protein could substitute poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) sizes for high-speed weaving of polyester and polyester/cotton yarns to substantially decrease environmental pollution and impel sustainability of textile industry. Nonbiodegradable PVA sizes are widely used and mainly contribute to high chemical oxygen demand (COD) in textile effluents. It has not been possible to effectively degrade, reuse or replace PVA sizes so far. Soy protein with good biodegradability showed potential as warp sizes in our previous studies. However, soy protein sizes lacked film flexibility and adhesion for required high-speed weaving. Additives with multiple hydroxyl groups, nonlinear molecule, …
Sustainable And Hydrolysis-Free Dyeing Process For Polylactic Acid
Using Nonaqueous Medium,
2015
Donghua University
Sustainable And Hydrolysis-Free Dyeing Process For Polylactic Acid Using Nonaqueous Medium, Suxin Xu, Jiangang Chen, Bijia Wang, Yiqi Yang
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
A sustainable and hydrolysis-free dyeing process was developed for polylactic acid (PLA) fibers. PLA is a biobased alternative to petroleum based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is the most widely used textile fiber. However, the hydrolytic degradation of PLA fibers under the conventional aqueous dyeing conditions limited its applications in textile industry. A new solvent dyeing process was developed using liquid paraffin as a nonaqueous dyeing medium. High quality dyed PLA fabrics were obtained without consuming water and auxiliaries. Minimal strength loss of dyed fibers was achieved by postheat setting treatment. The 3R principle (reduce, reuse, and recycle) was implemented to …
Chitosan-Alginate Scaffold Cell
Culture System And Related
Methods,
2015
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Chitosan-Alginate Scaffold Cell Culture System And Related Methods, Miqin Zhang, Forrest Kievit, Matthew Chi-Hang Leung, Stephen Florczyk
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Methods for culturing cancer cells in vitro using a three dimensional scaffold, scaffolds that include the cultured cancer cells, and methods for using the cultured cancer cells and the scaffolds that include the cultured cancer cells in anticancer therapeutic drug development.
Nanoparticle Mediated Silencing Of Dna Repair Sensitizes
Pediatric Brain Tumor Cells To Y-Irradiation,
2015
University of Washington
Nanoparticle Mediated Silencing Of Dna Repair Sensitizes Pediatric Brain Tumor Cells To Y-Irradiation, Forrest M. Kievit, Zachary R. Stephen, Kui Wang, Christopher J. Dayringer, Jonathan G. Sham, Richard G. Ellenbogen, John R. Silber, Miqin Zhang
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Medulloblastoma (MB) and ependymoma (EP) are the most common pediatric brain tumors, afflicting 3000 children annually. Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral component in the treatment of these tumors; however, the improvement in survival is often accompanied by radiation-induced adverse developmental and psychosocial sequelae. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop strategies that can increase the sensitivity of brain tumors cells to RT while sparing adjacent healthy brain tissue. Apurinic endonuclease 1 (Ape1), an enzyme in the base excision repair pathway, has been implicated in radiation resistance in cancer. Pharmacological and specificity limitations inherent to small molecule inhibitors of Ape1 …
Micro- And Macro-Scale Modeling Of Filter Aging: Effects Of Particle Poly-Dispersity And Fiber Cross-Sectional Shape,
2015
Virginia Commonwealth University
Micro- And Macro-Scale Modeling Of Filter Aging: Effects Of Particle Poly-Dispersity And Fiber Cross-Sectional Shape, Ahmed M. Saleh
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of this study is to further advance the state of the art in developing self-sufficient methods to predict the performance of an aerosol filter. The simulation methods developed in this study are based on first principles and consequently, they do not rely on empirical correction factors. These simulation methods can be used to predict the instantaneous collection efficiency and pressure drop of a filter under dust-loading conditions. In the current study, 3-D micro- and macroscale CFD models are developed to simulate the service life of flat-sheet and pleated filters. These CFD micro- and macroscale models are also used …
Color Removal From Pulp Mill Effluent Using Coal Ash Produced From Georgia Power Coal Combustion Plants,
2015
Georgia Southern University
Color Removal From Pulp Mill Effluent Using Coal Ash Produced From Georgia Power Coal Combustion Plants, Christopher B. Willett
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Two environmental concerns currently face Georgia: coal fly ash (CFA) waste from coal power plants, and the effluent generated by pulp mills. Pulp mill effluent discolors surface waters into which it is discharged, and has been proven to negatively impact the dissolved oxygen and carbon necessary for aquatic life. The proposed solution is a cost-effective adsorption treatment using an inexpensive but abundantly available waste material: CFA. CFA possesses beneficial properties that allow it to effectively remove contaminants, and is available at significantly reduced cost. The primary research objective was to define treatment parameters that would result in the maximum removal …
Underwater Sound Transmission Through Arrays Of Disk Cavities
In A Soft Elastic Medium,
2015
Acoustics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
Underwater Sound Transmission Through Arrays Of Disk Cavities In A Soft Elastic Medium, David C. Calvo, Abel L. Thangawng, Christopher N. Layman Jr., Riccardo Casalini, Shadi F. Othman
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
Scattering from a cavity in a soft elastic medium, such as silicone rubber, resembles scattering from an underwater bubble in that low-frequency monopole resonance is obtainable in both cases. Arrays of cavities can therefore be used to reduce underwater sound transmission using thin layers and low void fractions. This article examines the role of cavity shape by microfabricating arrays of disk-shaped air cavities into single and multiple layers of polydimethylsiloxane. Comparison is made with the case of equivalent volume cylinders which approximate spheres. Measurements of ultrasonic underwater sound transmission are compared with finite element modeling predictions. The disks provide a …
Roadway Determinants Of Bicyclist Multi-Pollutant Exposure Concentrations,
2015
Portland State University
Roadway Determinants Of Bicyclist Multi-Pollutant Exposure Concentrations, Alexander Y. Bigazzi, Miguel A. Figliozzi
Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations
Due to poorly quantified traffic-exposure relationships, transportation professionals are unable to easily estimate exposure differences among bicycle routes for network planning, design, and analysis. This paper estimates the effects of roadway characteristics on bicyclist multi-pollutant exposure concentrations, controlling for meteorology and background conditions. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are modeled using high-resolution on-road data. This paper also compares exposure differences on immediately parallel high-traffic/low-traffic facilities and is the first study to quantify VOC exposure differences by facility. Results indicate that average daily traffic (ADT) provides a parsimonious way to characterize the …
Assessing Biofiltration Pretreatment For Ultrafiltration Membrane Processes,
2015
University of Central Florida
Assessing Biofiltration Pretreatment For Ultrafiltration Membrane Processes, Andrea Cumming
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
An engineered biological filtration (biofiltration) process treating a nutrient-enriched, low-alkalinity, organic-laden surface water downstream of conventional coagulation-clarification and upstream of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane process was assessed for its treatment effectiveness. The impact of biofiltration pretreatment on UF membrane performance was evaluated holistically by investigating the native source water chemistry and extending the analysis into the drinking water distribution system. The biofiltration process was also compared in treatment performance to two alternative pretreatment technologies, including magnetic ion exchange (MIEX®) and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption. The MIEX®, GAC adsorption, and biologically active carbon (BAC) filtration pretreatments were integrated with conventional …
Climate Change Implications For Health-Care Waste Incineration Trends During Emergency Situations,
2015
Walden University
Climate Change Implications For Health-Care Waste Incineration Trends During Emergency Situations, Emilia Mmbando Raila
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Healthcare waste (HCW) incineration practices in the global South countries are among the major sources of black carbon (BC) emissions or smoke. This study analyzes HCW incineration trends during emergency situations and smoke from HCW incineration processes in Haiti. The study was prompted by the current arguments about the climate change and the growing health effects associated with BC emissions. The conceptual framework was based on both adverse health effects from BC emissions exposure and climate change potential of BC emissions. Therefore, the goal was to determine whether cardboard HCW sharps containers emit lower BC emissions to the atmosphere during …
Recovery Of Nutrient Nitrogen From Municipal Wastewater Residuals By Gas Membrane Separation,
2015
University of Texas at El Paso
Recovery Of Nutrient Nitrogen From Municipal Wastewater Residuals By Gas Membrane Separation, Evelyn Rios
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
There are relatively high amounts of ammonia returned to the headworks of a municipal wastewater plant that are extracted from the dewatering process. This ammonia load contributes to a significant oxygen demand in the secondary treatment, requiring greater air blower energy costs. This goal of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of the recovery of an ammonium sulfate product from belt press filtrate. The objectives of this research were to: (1) analyze wastewater treatment average monthly data flows and constituents with respect to ammonia nitrification, (2) the evaluate the technical performance of a two sage gas-separation membrane for recovering …
Sustainable River-Basin Salinity Management: Treatment Of Natural Brine Springs For Recovery Of Purified Sodium Chloride And Other Valuable Minerals,
2015
University of Texas at El Paso
Sustainable River-Basin Salinity Management: Treatment Of Natural Brine Springs For Recovery Of Purified Sodium Chloride And Other Valuable Minerals, Priscilla L. Sandoval
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
A treatment process was developed to extract sodium chloride salt, via evaporation, from high-salinity natural brine springs. The source of the brine studied in this project is watershed of the Salt Fork of the Brazos River in Texas. When evaporation is applied to the brine, various impurities precipitate along with the sodium chloride salt (halite). Therefore, a treatment was developed in order to produce a valuable, high-purity salt product. The treatment consists of pretreating the brine with sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid to for softening and decarbonation. After evaporation, a brine wash post-treatment process was employed to increase the purity …
A Study Of The Huff Run Watershed,
2015
The University of Akron
A Study Of The Huff Run Watershed, Benjamin Habig
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Acid mine drainage is the formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals. The Huff Run watershed, located in Carrolton and Tuscarawas counties, is heavily polluted due to the several abandoned mines throughout the area. This research project serves to further a study began under the supervision of Dr. Cutright of the University of Akron. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has instituted an abatement plan in Mineral City. The plan, involving a retention pond, a wetland, and a limestone bed inoculated of bacteria, has been found to reduce pollutant levels substantially. However, the limestone bed …
Effects Of Solids Retention Time And Feeding Frequency On Performance And Pathogen Fate In Semi-Continuous Mesophilic Anaerobic Digesters,
2015
University of South Florida
Effects Of Solids Retention Time And Feeding Frequency On Performance And Pathogen Fate In Semi-Continuous Mesophilic Anaerobic Digesters, Nathan Daniel Manser
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical process in which organic carbon is biodegraded in an oxygen free environment through a microbial consortium. Engineered biological systems used for resource recovery often utilize anaerobic digestion to treat anthropogenic organic wastes by reclaiming the carbon as energy (methane gas) and a soil amendment (biosolids). Small-scale, or household, semi-continuous anaerobic digesters have been used in developed and developing countries for many decades to produce biogas from human and livestock waste, which is used for heating, lighting, and cooking. This application has been shown to improve the quality of life of the user. Although there is …
Evaluation Of School Vip Latrines And User Preferences And Motivations For Adopting Communal Sanitation Technologies In Zwedru, Liberia,
2015
University of South Florida
Evaluation Of School Vip Latrines And User Preferences And Motivations For Adopting Communal Sanitation Technologies In Zwedru, Liberia, Sarah J. Ness
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This thesis has three objectives as follows: 1) to investigate VIP latrine design and establish if the communal school VIP latrines located on the shared campus of Tubman Wilson Institute (TWI) Junior and Senior High School and J.C. Barlee Elementary School were properly designed and constructed, 2) to explore the user preferences and motivations impacting the adoption of these school latrines, and 3) to develop a framework for factors that influence latrine adoption. These goals were formed by the author in response to her Peace Corps experience working at a high school in Zwedru, Liberia from August 2012 to August …
