Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

The Hydraulic Conductivity Structure Of Gravel-Dominated Vadose Zones Within Alluvial Floodplains, Ronald B. Miller, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, Todd Halihan, Daniel E. Storm, Aaron R. Mittelstet

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The floodplains of many gravel-bed streams have a general stratigraphy that consists of a layer of topsoil covering gravel-dominated subsoil. Previous research has demonstrated that this stratigraphy can facilitate preferential groundwater flow through focused linear features, such as paleochannels, or gravelly regions within the vadose zone. These areas within the floodplain vadose zone may provide a route for interactions between the floodplain surface and alluvial groundwater, effectively extending the hyporheic zone across the floodplain during high stream stage. The objective of this research was to assess the structure and scale of texture heterogeneity within the vadose zone within the gravel …

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, 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, 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 …

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 …

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, 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 …

Equity And Fairness In Transport Planning: The State Of Play, Sarah Rock, Aoife Ahern Prof., Brian Caulfield Dr.

Conference Papers

This paper explores the concept of equity, or fairness, in transport. As a pillar of sustainable development, social equity is an important objective of transport planning. The provision of transport infrastructure can have significant equity impacts on society through the distribution of costs and benefits. In recent years, there has been an increase in research interest in transportation related equity issues. The paper outlines the primary theoretical traditions that relate to equity and transport equity, and how equity concerns are currently addressed and evaluated in academia and in practice. Recent research has attempted to establish stronger principles from which to …

Seed Tape Effects On Corn Emergence Under Greenhouse Conditions, Ramarao Venkatesh, Peter R. Thomison, Colette K. Gabriel, Mark A. Bennett, Elaine M. Grassbaugh, Matthew D. Kleinhenz, Scott A. Shearer, Santosh Pitla

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Seed tape has recently received attention as an alternative planting system for smallholder farmers in underdeveloped regions of South America, Africa, China, and India (Mateus, 2014). Seed companies are also developing seed-tape planting systems for germplasm evaluations (Deppermann et al., 2013). Although seed tape has been promoted as a method for ensuring uniform seed spacing and plant density of small-seeded flowers, herbs, and vegetables (Chancellor, 1969), little or no information is available on the use of seed tape for larger-seeded row crops and its effect on crop emergence. The objective of this study was to compare the emergence of corn …

Development Of Cementitious Materials For Adhesion Type Applications Comprising Calcium Sulfoaluminate (Csa) Cement And Latex Polymer, Joshua V. Brien

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

The objective of this research was to develop high performing polymer modified calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement materials for use in applications requiring superior adhesion characteristics. Little information is available describing interactions of CSA cement containing minor phase tri-calcium aluminate (C₃A) with commonly used admixtures. Given the scarcity of information, a basic approach for developing cementitious materials was followed. The basic approach consisted of four tasks: cement design, admixture design, polymer design and testing developed materials. The iterative, time consuming process is necessary for understanding the influence of specific constituent components on overall system behavior. Results from the cement …

Concise Handbook For Temporary Traffic Control, Indiana Ltap, Ohio Department Of Transportation

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This handbook gives the basic principles and provides examples for the design, application, installation, and maintenance of the various types of traffic control devices used in temporary traffic control or for incident management. The guidelines presented are in accordance with the standards provided within the Indiana Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD). This handbook is based upon one created by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Guidelines for Traffic Control in Work Zones. Indiana LTAP expresses thanks to ODOT for their permission to reprint this material.

Development Of Resilience Index In Transport Systems, Seungjae Lee, Jooyoung Kim, Shinhae Lee, Yan Chang-Richards

International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction (I3R2) Conference

This paper demonstrates the quantification of the resilience index (RI) in transport systems. The transport infrastructure can be managed by using the concepts of resilience. Vugrin, Warren, Ehlen, & Camphouse (2010) emphasized the enhancement of resilience in infrastructure before disasters and the establishment of efficient measures for the recovery of systems in an emergency. The concept of resilience has a significant influence on transport planning and operations for disaster preparation. Lee, Kim, & Lee (2013) investigated the concepts of resilience and examined case studies using valuable asset-management techniques in order to maintain the resilience concepts which should be introduced in …

Freeze Thaw Durability Of Internally Cured Concrete Made Using Superabsorbent Polymers, Wesley A. Jones, W. Jason Weiss

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The use of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to produce internally cured concrete has been shown to be effective in reducing the potential for restrained shrinkage cracking of high performance concrete mixtures. However, not much is known regarding the freeze–thaw durability of concrete mixtures that incorporate SAPs for internal curing (IC). When SAP particles desorb (or partially desorb) the “water” (pore fluid) they contain for the purposes of IC, some believe that the void space created by these particles can provide enough empty voids to accommodate the additional volume caused by water expansion upon freezing. This paper investigates the freeze–thaw durability of …

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 (ET_a) was quantified in all treatments and used to schedule irrigation events on a 100% ET_a 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, 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, 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, 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 …

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, 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.

Geotextile Tubes And Their Application To Dewatering, Kevin R. Morgan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Geotextile tubes are a proven cost-effective technology offering speed, efficiency, and minimal impact to the environment for dewatering of sediment or sludge from dredging operations. Common applications include: removal of solids from municipal water and waste water treatment, agricultural remediation, marine dredging operations, construction dewatering, and beach preservation and protection. Geotextile tubes are manufactured in a variety of configurations.

Geotextile tubes are used for a wide variety of environmental applications including dewatering and slurry containment. One of the most important design aspects of the tubes themselves is the ability to be flexible and expand and hold form under high pressure …