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Development Of A Colorimetric Test For Quantification Of Uranium In Drinking Water, Amy Ratliff

All Theses

A new method was developed for the determination of uranium in groundwater above 30µg/L (30ppb). This concentration is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for uranium in drinking water, which was set in December 2003 by the US EPA under the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The method is rapid and requires little technical training to conduct, allowing it to be used by consumers, in the laboratory, or in the field. The two-step technique involves preconcentrating uranium using a U/TEVA-2 extraction chromatographic resin followed by complexation with a pyridylazo indicator dye, Br-PADAP. At neutral pH, a counter ion is …

Chemisorption Of Oxygen Onto Activated Carbon Can Enhance The Stability Of Biological Perchlorate Reduction In Fixed Bed Biofilm Reactors, Young Chul Choi, Xu Li, Lutgarde Raskin, Eberhard Morgenroth

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Fixed bed biofilm reactors with granular activated carbon (GAC) or glass beads as support media were used to evaluate the influence of short-term (12 h) and long-term (23 days) increases of influent dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations on biological perchlorate removal. The goal was to evaluate the extent by which chemisorption of oxygen to GAC can enhance the stability of biological perchlorate reduction. Baseline influent concentrations were 50 μg/L of perchlorate, 2 mg/L of acetate as C, and 1 mg/L of DO. Perchlorate removal in the glass bead reactor seized immediately after increasing influent DO concentrations from 1 to 4 mg/L …

Analysis And Calibration Of Rdii And Design Of Sewer Collection Systems, Misgana K. Muleta, Paul F. Boulos

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Excessive wet weather flow resulting from rainfall-derived inflow and infiltration (RDII) is a major source of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). SSOs pose serious problem to the public and the environment by causing back up into basements and sewer overflows to streets and rivers. Control of sewer overflows is, therefore, vital to reducing risks to public health and protecting the environment from water pollution. Computer modeling of sewer collection systems plays an important role in determining sound and economical remedial solutions that reduce RDII, improve system integrity, reliability and performance, and avoid overflows. This paper presents a rigorous and efficient three-step …

Geotechnical Investigations At Three Sites In The South Carolina Coastal Plain That Did Not Liquefy During The 1886 Charleston Earthquake, Ronald Boller

All Theses

Geotechnical investigations were performed at three sites in the South Carolina Coastal Plain where liquefaction is believed to not have occurred in 1886 or during other Holocene earthquakes. The three sites are the Coastal Research and Education Center (CREC) located near Charleston, and the Borrow Pit and Marsh Road sites at Hobcaw Barony near Georgetown. The investigations consisted of nine seismic cone penetration test (SCPT) soundings, three non-seismic cone penetration test (CPT) soundings, one standard penetration test (SPT) boring, and two dilatometer test (DMT) soundings. Shear wave velocities (Vs) were calculated from the SCPTs using pseudo interval measurements at the …

Hydrogen Production Through The Process Of Electrolysis Can Benefit Fuel Conservation In Automobiles, Wade D. Stahr

Graduate Research Papers

Every day over 8.5 million barrels of gasoline are consumed in America alone. Since fuel prices have skyrocketed there is more need than ever for a fuel-conserving device that the public can use in any automobile and will result in true savings both financially and environmentally. Many people and organizations have talked about an all hydrogen-powered vehicle; while this is a wonderful concept, the actuality of it happening throughout the entire country is less that probable. Due to many factors, mainly financial, the use of hydrogen to power vehicles on a mass scale could take many years to incorporate. However, …

Brunswick Me: De-Militarizing The Bnas, Anne Holland, Brett Richardson, Richard Barringer

Planning

Closure of the Brunswick Naval Air Station in 2011 will have profound economic impacts on the entire mid-coast Maine region of Maine, with an estimated loss of 6,500 jobs and $330 million annual income. Throughout the Base Realignment and Closure process, Brunswick, the region, and the State of Maine followed federal rules and developed the federally-funded Brunswick Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA) to plan for reuse of the 3300 acre base. In its planning process, the BLRA adhered to a number of well thought-out Guiding Principles, including the use of extensive public participation and the consideration of “smart growth” principles and …

Genome Sequencing And Analysis Of The Biomass-Degrading Fungus Trichoderma Reesei (Syn. Hypocrea Jecorina), Diego Martinez, Randy M. Berka, Bernard Henrissat, Markku Saloheimo, Mikko Arvas, Scott E. Baker, Jarod Chapman, Olga Chertkov, Pedro M. Coutinho, Dan Cullen, Etienne G. J. Danchin, Igor V. Grigoriev, Paul Harris, Melissa Jackson, Christian P. Kubicek, Cliff S. Han, Isaac Ho, Luis F. Larrondo, Alfredo Lopez De Leon, Jon K. Magnuson, Sandy Merino, Monica Misra, Beth Nelson, Nicholas Putnam, Barbara Robbertse, Asaf A. Salamov, Monika Schmoll, Astrid Terry, Nina Thayer, Ann Westerholm-Parvinen, Conrad L. Schoch, Jian Yao, Ravi Barabote, Mary Anne Nelson, Chris Detter, David Bruce, Cheryl R. Kuske, Gary Xie, Paul Richardson, Daniel S. Rokhsar, Susan M. Lucas, Edward M. Rubin, Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Michael Ward, Thomas Brettin

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Trichoderma reesei is the main industrial source of cellulases and hemicellulases used to depolymerize biomass to simple sugars that are converted to chemical intermediates and biofuels, such as ethanol. We assembled 89 scaffolds (sets of ordered and oriented contigs) to generate 34 Mbp of nearly contiguous T. reesei genome sequence comprising 9,129 predicted gene models. Unexpectedly, considering the industrial utility and effectiveness of the carbohydrate-active enzymes of T. reesei, its genome encodes fewer cellulases and hemicellulases than any other sequenced fungus able to hydrolyze plant cell wall polysaccharides. Many T. reesei genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes are distributed nonrandomly in …

Benefits Of Leed Designs In Arkansas K-12 Schools, Philip Thrift

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper provides and evaluation of an existing LEED certified sustainable green building for energy-efficiency, environmental impact, economic value, and occupant health. The new Bethel Middle School located in Bryant, Arkansas was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified public school building in the state. Based on actual building specifications and validated with the first year's utility bills, a simulation model was used to evaluate various design aspects of the school building. The building's baseline energy usage was compared with numerous energy and environmental scenarios. Results include both environmental and economic assessments. Overall, the study found that …

Release Of Hydrophobic Molecules From Polymer Micelles Into Cell Membranes Revealed By Forster Resonance Energy Transfer Imaging, Hongtao Chen, Sungwon Kim, Shuyi Wang, Kinam Park, Ji-Xin Cheng

Other Nanotechnology Publications

it is generally assumed that polymeric micelles, upon administration into the blood stream, carry drug molecules until they are taken up into cells followed by intracellular release. The current work revisits this conventional wisdom. The study using dual-labeled micelles containing fluorescently labeled copolymers and hydrophobic fluorescent probes entrapped in the polymeric micelle core showed that cellular uptake of hydrophobic probes was much faster than that of labeled copolymers. This result implies that the hydrophobic probes in the core are released from micelles in the extracellular space. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging and spectroscopy were used to monitor this process …

Exploring The Potential For Electromangetophoretic Separation, Thomas Lewis

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current research in mircofluidic technology is underway to develop automatic micro-analyzing chips for medical diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing often requires separation of specific biological particles from a sample, and many of these molecules contain electric or magnetic properties. This project investigates the potential for separation in electromagnetophoretic and magnetophoretic microfluidic technology. In electromagnetophoresis, the Lorentz force acting on a current carrying medium in a homogeneous magnetic field creates a pressure gradient in the fluid, resulting in an applied force to particles present in the separation medium. This force causes the particle to have a velocity component that is perpendicular to …

Evaluating Arkansas Roadway Intersection Accidents Using Traffic Safety Analysis Methods: Generalized Estimating Equations And Roadway Observation, Jacob Mercer

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Considerable research has been made in recent years to evaluate road traffic safety. This is especially true with the United States, whose international rank in public safety is rapidly declining. In 2004, Arkansas ranked as the third highest in traffic fatalities among all the states. These are striking numbers that reflect the lack of attention that the state has received in terms of evaluating road traffic safety. Historically, this safety is measure by one of two methods: Statistical analyses of historical data or hands-on, observational analyses of present safety conditions. Rarely in research are both methods used within the same …

Promoting Neuron Adhesion And Growth, Laura M. Y. Yu, Nic Leipzig, Molly S. Schoichet

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering Faculty Research

During nervous system development, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role offering anchorage points to maturing neurons and neurites, as well as a permissive environment for tissue formation. Thus enhancement of cell adhesion is often an important criterion when designing biomaterials for neural tissue engineering. In addition to functionalizing biomaterials with ECM-derived cell adhesive molecules, there is emerging evidence that indicates the surface topography, stiffness, and electrical properties play an important role in neuron adhesion and neurite outgrowth. We describe recent developments in biomaterials modification for simulating the microenvironment in order to promote neuron adhesion and growth, as well …

2008 Epa’S Report On The Environment

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

To accomplish its mission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must pay close attention to trends in the condition of the nation’s air, water, and land, and to associated trends in human exposure and health and the condition of ecological systems. Data on environmental trends serve two key purposes: they provide valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and they allow EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes.
In …

The Effects Of Physical And Chemical Modulating Agents On The Induction Of Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses, Andrea Nicole Ryan

Honors Scholar Theses

After the development of the viral-based prostate cancer vaccine, Ad5-PSA, much research has been orientated to help enhance the induced immune response by combining the vaccine with physical and chemical modulating agents, more specifically the polymers polyethylenimine (PEI), chitosan, and chitosan coated with CD3 complex antibodies; all previously shown to stimulate an immune response as isolated gene carriers. To compare the vaccine-induced immune responses between the naked vaccine and the polymer-vaccine combinations, a mouse model using the ovalbumin- specific Ad-OVA vaccine was tested using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), tetramer staining, and cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte assays to measure the activation of …

Potential Application Of The Modulated Scatterer Technique To Multilayered Material Evaluation And Health Monitoring, Kristen M. Munoz, Amy K. Perrey, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Modulated scatterer technique (MST) is based on illuminating a small antenna, usually a dipole, loaded with a PIN diode, with an electromagnetic wave. The scattered (or reflected) wave from the probe may then be used to determine dielectric properties of the material in which the probe is located or embedded. The PIN diode is turned "on" and "off" which not only changes the impedance of the probe, but also modulates (with the same rate) the reflection from the probe. A major challenge associated with MST is detecting and distinguishing the desired probe response in the ever-present reflections from surrounding structures …

A Study Of Craft Worker Length Of Employment At Select Missouri Construction Companies, Richard D. Bruce

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Craft worker retention is a constant concern of construction firms who selfperform portions of projects. These companies must maintain an understanding oftheir work force. A methodology is presented in this study for studying information in readily available employee databases to gain such an understanding. Using a sample of 10 of Missouri's 17 largest contractors, that employ 5,277 craft workers; this study examined the employee databases to identify differences in mean length of employment based on hire age, craft, union affiliation, and company size. The analysis of variance statistical technique was utilized to test four null hypotheses. Based on the test …

Conversion Of Biomass Resource To Useful Forms Of Energy And Other Products, Steven Jennings

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States is facing increasing pressure to find renewable energy sources due to rising energy costs. With world energy demand at an all time high, renewable energy has been thrust into the forefront of research as a means to mitigate this looming crisis. Throughout the United States, there is a large quantity of agricultural biomass that could be used to generate energy and lessen the dependence on diminishing resources. Specifically, animal feeding operations (AFOs) such as dairies generate large amounts of cow manure, which, when improperly handled, causes both air and water pollution. Currently, most manure is temporarily stockpiled …

E-Racer, Allison Meisner

Honors Scholar Theses

The E-Racer was made for a young boy with cerebral palsy. The client cannot use his legs and control in his left arm is very limited. The client's family expressed a desire for an electric go-kart, and also for the go-kart to resemble a "normal" go-kart. To that end, the E-Racer has been outfitted with both steering wheel and joystick modes so the client can choose which control system he would like to use depending on what he is comfortable with. The E-Racer is a stock go-kart which was modified in several key ways. The electronics were drastically modified to …

The Effect Of Water Extracted Silibinin On Reactive Oxygen Species (Ros) Production Of Macrophages, Julie Abbott, Sunny Wallace, Ed Clausen, Danielle Carrier

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The world is actively looking for technology to produce sustainable liquid fuels to replace our reliance on petroleum-based fuels. Biomass can be converted either through the thermochemical or saccharification platforms into fuels such as ethanol or butanol. In addition to converting the biomass into liquid fuels, valuable phytochemicals can be extracted prior, during, or after the conversion. Extracting useful phytochemicals, as a part of the overall conversion of biomass to fuels, is included in the concept of the biobased biorefinery. However, the key to effectively and economically extract phytochemicals from biomass is the ability to couple the extraction to the …

Anaerobic Biodegradation Of Ethylene Dibromide And 1,2-Dichloroethane In The Presence Of Fuel Hydrocarbons, James Henderson

All Dissertations

Field evidence from underground storage tank (UST) sites where leaded gasoline leaked indicates the lead scavengers 1,2-dibromoethane (ethylene dibromide, or EDB) and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) may be present in groundwater at levels that pose unacceptable risk. These compounds are seldom tested for at UST sites. Although dehalogenation of EDB and 1,2-DCA is known to occur, the effect of fuel hydrocarbons on their biodegradability under anaerobic conditions is poorly understood. Microcosms (2 L glass bottles) were prepared with soil and groundwater from a UST site in Clemson, South Carolina, using samples collected from the source (containing residual fuel) and less contaminated downgradient …

Restart Capabilities Of Hybrid Rocket Motor Utilizing Gaseous Propane And Oxygen Injection System, Joseph Gracy

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hybrid rockets have become an increasingly popular application in professional and amateur rocketry for their outstanding performance and reliability. An issue pressing the marketability and functionality of these rockets is the ability to restart with an exclusive system after primary ignition. Research and development of a system that can be used reliably in either application to achieve restart under various conditions has been made recently using dual injection of GOX and C3H8 using a 200kV ignition system while implementing a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) formable polymer as primary fuel. The system used a manual valve arrangement for control. The design features most …

Development Of Low Temperature Alpha Alumina Coatings By Ac Magnetron Sputtering, Andrew Cloud

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Alpha-phase aluminum oxide thin films were created using an Isoflux ICM-10 dual target inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering system using mid-frequency AC power supplies. Alpha alumina films were deposited at a magnetron power of 6 kW, 50% oxygen partial pressure by volume, and -35 V DC bias. Film thickness, substrate material, and position and orientation within the deposition chamber were varied. To ensure the deposition conditions are suitable for alloys, the substrate temperature was measured using temperature indicating liquids. The experimental results, supported by Explicit Euler numerical analysis, revealed a steady state temperature of ~480°C at 6kW. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) …

Cellular Arrays (Us Patent Application), Angela K. Pannier, Eric A. Ariazi, V. Craig Jordan, Lonnie D. Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present invention relates to characterizing transcription within cells. In particular, the present invention provides transfected cell arrays (e.g., two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional arrays) and systems, kits and methods utilizing the same (e.g., for transcriptional activity characterization). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, research, drug discovery and clinical (e.g., diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic) applications.

The Awe Wall: A Novel Robotic Surface, Martha Kwoka

All Theses

In this thesis, we present fundamental contributions towards AWE, a novel 'Animated Work Environment', which seeks to introduce robotics at the architectural scale to modify environments in real time to the changing needs and moods of their occupants. Part of AWE is a robotic surface, or wall, featuring a multiple folding panel structure. The panels of the AWE wall feature embedded IT and adapt to the current movements and tasks of the user. We describe the overall AWE concept and discuss the construction of the robot surface, its motion planning and its control, and all experiments run to this point.

The Formation Of Halonitromethanes In Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents, Jesse Addison

All Theses

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) have been a water treatment concern since their discovery in the 1970's. Today, only eleven drinking water DBPs are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, over 500 DBPs have been identified in drinking waters with advances in analytical methods within the last two decades. Halonitromethanes (HNMs) were among the fifty-plus unregulated high-priority DBPs that were monitored for and detected in drinking waters in a recent nationwide occurrence study funded by EPA. The toxicology studies conducted in recent years showed that HNMs are one of the most cytotoxic and genotoxic classes among the emerging DBPs, and …

Development Of Prediction Models Of High Temperature Crumb Rubber Modified Binders, Carl Thodesen

All Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify and model critical elements of the asphalt rubber matrix contributing to the crumb rubber modified (CRM) binder properties as measured by Superpave testing procedures. Current models are neither applicable (due to new testing procedures) nor practical (due to the difficulty of application or lack of accuracy). Therefore, this research investigated the development of predictive models for estimating binder properties within a specified range of accuracy.
Multiple crumb rubber sources were evaluated in order to gain an understanding of the differences between the various crumb rubbers. This analysis permitted identification of the important …

Algorithm Development Of The Aglite-Lidar Instrument, Christian Marchant

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Particulate emissions from agricultural operations are increasingly receiving attention from regulatory bodies as a potential source of air pollution. The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) has developed the Aglite system, a suite of instruments including a lidar that is capable of measuring particulate emission levels from agricultural facilities. This system provides a novel method of measuring particulate mass (PM) pollution, allowing measurements to be taken of diverse types of facilities with high temporal and spatial resolution. This high resolution allows for the measurement of emission levels generated by specific activities, fostering the development and determination of best management practices.

The Aglite …

Decision Analysis Considering Welfare Impacts In Water Resources Using The Benefit Transfer Approach, Ashraf Shaqadan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Decision making in environmental management is faced with uncertainties associated with related environmental variables and processes. Decision makers are inclined to use resources to acquire better information in one or more uncertain variable(s). Typically, with limited resources available, characterizing the feasibility of such investment is desirable yet complicated.

In the context of reducing inherent uncertainty, decision makers need to tackle two difficult questions, first, the optimal selection of variable(s) and second, the optimal level of information collection which produces maximum gain in benefits.

We develop a new framework to assess the socioeconomic value of potential decisions of collecting additional information …

Distributed Hydrologic Modeling For Streamflow Prediction At Ungauged Basins, Christina Bandaragoda

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydrologic modeling and streamflow prediction of ungauged basins is an unsolved scientific problem as well as a policy-relevant science theme emerging as a major challenge to the hydrologic community. One way to address this problem is to improve hydrologic modeling capability through the use of spatial data and spatially distributed physically based models. This dissertation is composed of three papers focused on 1) the use of spatially distributed hydrologic models with spatially distributed precipitation inputs, 2) advanced multi-objective calibration techniques that estimate parameter uncertainty and use stream gauge and temperature data from multiple locations, and 3) an examination of the …

Nutrient Mobility From Biosolids Land Application Sites, Mai Anh Vu Tran

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three types of biosolids (lime-stabilized, aerobically digested, and anaerobically digested biosolids) were applied on 0.13-ha test plots on disturbed rangelands in Western Utah at rates of up to twenty times (20X) the estimated N-based agronomic rate. Soil samples at depths up to 1.5 m were collected and analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, regulated metals, pH, and electrical conductivity for up to two years after biosolids application.

NH₄-N at the soil surface (0.2 m) was primarily lost through ammonia volatilization and nitrification. This observation was consistent with reported increases in nitrate (NO₃-N) concentrations found within the soil surface …