Digital Commons Network^™

Project Scheduling To Maximize Positive Impacts Of Reconstruction Operations, Andrew D. Chaney

Theses and Dissertations

Since the decline of the Cold War, the risk of major conflict between powerful industrialized nations has significantly decreased. Insecurity in the twenty-first century is forecast to arise rather from the debris of imploding states. Such situations may require intervention | military or otherwise | by concerned states, and the frequency with which these interventions occur is increasing. To meet this new operational challenge, the US military must adapt its planning procedures to account for Security, Stabilization, Transition, and Reconstruction Operations (SSTRO). This research develops a project scheduling based framework for post-conflict reconstruction that prioritizes and schedules reconstruction activities in …

Biodiesel – Oxidation, Storage Stability And Materials Compatibility – The Brazilian R&D Experience, Eduardo Cavalcanti

Bioenergy - II: Fuels and Chemicals from Renewable Resources

N/A

Session 2c, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Western Kentucky Deep Saline Reservoir CO₂ Storage Test, David Williams and J. Richard Bowersox, Kentucky Geological Survey, UK
• Western Kentucky Deep Saline Reservoir CO₂ Storage Test: Preliminary Environmental Assessments and Monitoring, E. Glynn Beck, Thomas Parris, and David Williams, Kentucky Geological Survey, UK
• Arsenite Oxidation by a Chemostat Culture of Thiomonas Arsenivorans Strain B6, Aniruddha Dastidar and Yi-Tin Wang, Dept Civil Engineering, UK
• Biological Control of Manganese in Water Supplies – A New Mn(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria Isolate, Michael Snyder and Y.T. Wang, Dept Civil Engineering, UK

Effect Of Transport Vibration On Quality Of Minimally Processed And Packaged Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe, Koushik Saha, S. Paul Singh, Bruce Harte

Industrial Technology and Packaging

This study was undertaken to determine the quality of packaged fresh cut cantaloupe subjected to transport vibration after treating with various anti-browning agents. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) pieces were dipped in two anti-browning solutions: Treatment- A (2% ascorbic acid + 1% calcium chloride + 0.5% citric acid) and Treatment-B (3% NatureSeal™) for 2 minutes and packaged in bio-based clamshell containers and vibrated for 60 minutes (ASTM 4169, Truck assurance level II). Vibration of cut-cantaloupe packaged in sample containers had a positive effect on the flavor and overall liking. The overall liking scores were higher than 6(slightly like) on a hedonic scale …

Development Of Microbial And Enzymatic Fuel Cells For Bio-Inspired Power Sources, Fatih Dogan, Shelley Minteer

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This report is based on some of the revolutionary concepts described in the Road Map on Bioinspired Power Systems within the AFRLRW Campus Challenge II. Development of biofuel cell concepts integrated with fuel regeneration and energy storage capabilities are proposed to create a compact and self-sustaining power system. The first part of this work identified a sediment based microbial fuel cell that could power small electronics and maintain electrical activity over long periods of time. AFRLRW does not feel that this work adequately addresses the original scope nor does it provide a basis on which to continue work. The second …

A Successful Interdisciplinary Course On Computational Intelligence, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article presents experiences from the introduction of a new three hour interdisciplinary course on computational intelligence (CI) taught at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This course is unique in the sense that it covers five main paradigms of CI and their integration to develop hybrid intelligent systems. The paradigms covered are artificial immune systems (AISs), evolutionary computing (EC), fuzzy systems (FSs), neural networks (NNs) and swarm intelligence (SI). While individual CI paradigms have been applied successfully to solve real-world problems, the current trend is to develop hybrids of these paradigms …

Preparation Of Nanovehicles For Targeted Drug Delivery, Anagha Avinash Bhakay

Theses

Application of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical research has opened new frontiers for drug development and its efficient delivery. In recent years, the focus of the research has been on the engineering of nano/micro-particulate structures for efficient and targeted delivery of drugs for selective and enhanced absorption. This work throws light on the preparation of biodegradable and non-toxic nanoparticulate systems for targeted drug delivery. The drug vehicles were made by two different processes namely electrostatic interactions and desolvation process. The drug carriers made by these processes were found to be in the size range of 150-200nm which is necessary for cellular uptake …

The Developmental Effect Of Human Embryoid Bodies (Heb) Under Dynamic Culturing Conditions Using A Perfusion Based Slow Turning Lateral Vessel (Stlv) Bioreactor, Claiborne Collier

Theses and Dissertations

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can provide a unique approach for novel tissue engineering applications. Previous groups have shown that hESCs can differentiate into specialized cell types through the generation of human embryoid bodies (hEBs). These multi-cellular constructs are then subjected to suspension culture for several weeks. Traditional hESC differentiation techniques have yielded non-homogeneous EBs derived in standard static cultures providing an inefficient platform for cellular viability and embryonic modeling. Here, our study aimed at systematically comparing the formation, growth, and differentiation capabilities of hESC-derived hEBs in dynamic and static suspension cultures. We used a continuous flow perfusion slow turning …

Uncertainty Management Of Intelligent Feature Selection In Wireless Sensor Networks, Sanchita Mal-Sarkar

ETD Archive

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are envisioned to revolutionize the paradigm of monitoring complex real-world systems at a very high resolution. However, the deployment of a large number of unattended sensor nodes in hostile environments, frequent changes of environment dynamics, and severe resource constraints pose uncertainties and limit the potential use of WSN in complex real-world applications. Although uncertainty management in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is well developed and well investigated, its implications in wireless sensor environments are inadequately addressed. This dissertation addresses uncertainty management issues of spatio-temporal patterns generated from sensor data. It provides a framework for characterizing spatio-temporal pattern in …

Biological Treatment Of Dietary Supplement Wastewater, Erick Benjamin Butler

ETD Archive

Dietary supplement wastewater contains higher order polysaccharides such as the complex sugars maltodextrin and low fat milk. These complex sugars contain a significant amount of organic carbon therefore, presence of these sugars can pose threats to the environment if discharged without treatment. While many food processing plants are required to send their waste through wastewater treatment, legislation may require preliminary treatment of these wastes in order to satisfy the effluent discharge requirements. Because of the high organic carbon presence, it would be preferable to use biological treatment methods to reduce the organics present within the system. Microorganisms are capable of …

Biomineralization Associated With Microbial Reduction Of Fe3+ And Oxidation Of Fe2+ In Solid Minerals, Gengxin Zhang, Hailiang Dong, Hongchen Jiang, Ravi K. Kukkadapu, Jinwook Kim, Dennis Eberl, Zhiqin Xu

United States Department of Energy: Publications

Iron-reducing and oxidizing microorganisms gain energy through reduction or oxidation of iron, and by doing so play an important role in the geochemical cycling of iron. This study was undertaken to investigate mineral transformations associated with microbial reduction of Fe³⁺ and oxidation of Fe²⁺ in solid minerals. A fluid sample from the 2450 m depth of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling project was collected, and Fe³⁺-reducing and Fe²⁺-oxidizing microorganisms were enriched. The enrichment cultures displayed reduction of Fe³⁺ in nontronite and ferric citrate, and oxidation of Fe²⁺ in vivianite, siderite, and monosulfide …

The Plant Ionome Coming Into Focus, Lorraine Williams, David Salt

Cyber Center Publications

92 elements have been identified on earth and 17 of these are known to be essential to all plants. The essential elements required in relatively large amounts (>0.1% of dry mass) are called macronutrients and include C, H, O, N, S, P, Ca, K, Mg. Those required in much smaller amounts (<0.01% of dry mass) are referred to as micronutrients or trace elements and include Ni, Mo, Cu, Zn, Mn, B, Fe, and Cl. Plant growth and development depends on a balanced supply of these essential elements and thus the plant has a range of homeostatic mechanisms operating to ensure that this is maintained. Beneficial elements which promote growth and may be essential to some taxa, include Na, Co, Al, Se and Si. Elements such as the heavy metal Cd and the metalloid As have no demonstrated biological function in plants, but are nevertheless taken up and cause severe toxicity in most plant species. The concept for this special issue is the plant ionome, a word coined to encompass all these elements and allow focussed discussion and investigations on the mechanisms that co-ordinately regulate these elements in response to genetic and environmental factors reviewed in Salt et al., 2008).

Differential Regulation Of Vitamin D Receptor (Vdr) By P53, P63 And P73, Ramakrishna Kommagani

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The tumor suppressor p53 is the single most altered gene in human cancers. p53 homologues, p63 and p73 play a major role in development and in human cancer. Both p63and p73-null mice exhibit profound developmental abnormalities, suggesting a vital role for p63 and p73 in development. Although the role of p73 in human cancers is well established, the role of p63 still remains to be understood. While p63 plays a major role in development, p73 plays a major role in tumor suppression as well as in development. Although a functional co-operation is evident between each member of p53 family, additional …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2009, 129th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Nineteenth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Collegiate Academy: Biology

Earth Science

Collegiate Academy: Chemistry and Physics

Biological and Medical Sciences

Nebraska Wesleyan University Health and Sciences Graduate School Fair

Junior Academy: Senior High Competition

Aeronautics and Space Science, Poster Session

History and Philosophy of Science

Teaching of Science and Math

Maiben Memorial Lecture: Donald Frey, Department of Family Practice, Creighton University Medical Center

Anthropology

Chemistry and Physics

Junior Academy, Junior High Competition

Perchlorate In Wet Deposition Across North America, Srinath Rajagopalan, Todd A. Anderson, Stephen Cox, Greg Harvey, Qiuqiong Cheng, W. Andrew Jackson

United States Air Force: Publications

Natural perchlorate is believed to be of atmospheric origin, yet no systematic study has been conducted to evaluate perchlorate deposition rate and possible seasonal or spatial variations. This study evaluated perchlorate concentrations in weekly composite wet deposition samples acquired through the National Atmospheric DepositionProgramfrom 26 sites across the continental United States, Alaska, and Puerto Rico for a 1-3 year period. Perchlorate concentrations varied from /L to a high of 102 ng/L with a mean of 14.1±13.5 ng/L for the 1578 total samples. The annual perchlorate flux by site ranged from a low of 12.5 (TX) to 157 mg/ha-year (NE) and …

The Modification, System Software Development, Validation, And Clinical Trial Of A Novel Ankle Stiffness Testing Device, T. Tyler Clement

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this project is to modify, validate, and gather preliminary clinical data on a novel ankle stiffness device that measures stiffness (torque / degree) and range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint complex (AJC). The initial device was designed by a mechanical engineering design group at Louisiana State University in 2006, but had not been tested on human participants. Clinical evaluation of the ankle joint is important in patients afflicted with diabetes mellitus, Hansen’s disease, or peripheral neuropathies. The combination of peripheral neuropathies, decreased ankle range of motion, and increased stiffness pose a threat to these patients, …

Advanced Microwave Technology For Biodiesel Feedstock Processing, Beatrice G. Terigar

LSU Master's Theses

The goal of this work was to assist in overcoming the most important bottlenecks in the biodiesel production chain: to improve the biodiesel production process (oil extraction and esterification) using advanced microwave technologies from traditional and alternative feedstock; and identify the important characteristics of an alternative, high oil yield crop (TT). Dielectric properties of two feedstocks, soybean and rice bran were measured in presence of several solvents at different ratios, temperature and frequency. Results indicated that dielectric properties are ratio, temperature, frequency and solvent type dependent. Quasi-linear relationship using second order logarithmic transformation of the data provided a reliable estimator …

Temperature Impact On Nitrification And Bacterial Growth Kinetics In Acclimating Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Biofilters, Milton Maada-Gomoh Saidu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This project assessed short-term temperature effects on total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) utilization rates in a batch laboratory-scale recirculating system. The tank system was designed for experiments on short term steady state and diurnal temperatures. A set of numerical models was developed to simulate observed results. The performance of the biofilters was determined with three tank replicates at fixed temperatures of 13, 20 and 300C; and at diurnal transient (sinusoidal) temperature regimes of (20 ± 30C; 30 ± 30C). Ammonia utilization rates and biofilter performance for beads acclimated at different temperatures regimes separated and mixed were also determined. Total ammonia utilization …

Hearing Assessment Of Forest Loggers, Antonio A. Fonseca

LSU Master's Theses

Forest logging is the process in which trees are cut down for forest management and/or timber harvest. According to OSHA, logging is the most dangerous occupation in the United States. It consistently represents one of the most hazardous industries, with a fatality rate more than 21 times higher than the rate for all workers in the United States. Yet, little research has been performed to determine the long term effect of noise on forest loggers. OSHA regulations state that the maximum permissible hearing in an 8 hour shift should not exceed 90 dB. Occupational noise exposure is recognized as a …

Understanding The Development Of Infant Feeding: A Spectral Analysis Approach, Pooja Vijaygopal

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Feeding problems in preterm neonates stem from complications of early delivery. Attainment of independent feeding is a prerequisite for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharges. Some quantitative studies of infant feeding involve excessive amounts of time for data processing. Multivariate spectral analysis was used to minimize time for investigation of variability in these rhythms. Auto and Cross-spectral parameters of the rhythms were correlated with Gestational Age (GA), Postmenstrual Age (PMA), Birthweight (BW), Days of Life (DOL), and Time Since First Nipple feeding (TSFN). Auto-spectral analysis showed 25.55% increase in Bandwidth of suck (bw-su) for a 2-week increase in GA (DOL …

Community Managed Rural Water Supply Systems In The Dominican Republic : Assessment Of Sustainability Of Systems Built By The National Institute Of Potable Water And Peace Corps, Dominican Republic , Ryan W. Schweitzer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

In the Dominican Republic economic growth in the past twenty years has not yielded sufficient improvement in access to drinking water services, especially in rural areas where 1.5 million people do not have access to an improved water source (WHO, 2006). Worldwide, strategic development planning in the rural water sector has focused on participatory processes and the use of demand filters to ensure that service levels match community commitment to post-project operation and maintenance. However studies have concluded that an alarmingly high percentage of drinking water systems (20-50%) do not provide service at the design levels and/or fail altogether (up …

Development And Evaluation Of An Effective Process For The Recovery Of Oil And Detoxification Of Meal From Jatropha Curcas, Sarthak Gaur

Masters Theses

"There has been significant research on biofuels to ensure national security and economic stability of the US. Jatropha curcas, a hardy plant, holds tremendous potential as a biodiesel source and cattle feed-stock largely due to its high triglyceride and crude protein content. However, its viable economic utilization is limited due to the presence of important toxic compounds, phorbol esters. A novel and efficient process has been developed that obtains high yields of jatropha oil and detoxifies the defatted (oil free) jatropha meal. Principles of solid-liquid extraction were utilized to detoxify the meal and then liquid chromatography was employed to analyze …

2008-2009 Che Newsletter, Department Of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Chemical Engineering Newsletters

Table of Contents

• Department
• Faculty
• Research
• Alumni & Friends
• 2008 Industrial Advisory Board
• Convocation
• Student News

Design And Characterization Of A Shock And Vibration Mitigation Seat System, George Samaan Ladkany

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Extensive research has been conducted into the development of pneumatic seatbladder systems for shock and vibration mitigation for use in current U.S military vehicle envelopes. This research expands on the previous work through an elaborate experimental characterization of four prototype air bladder seat cushion systems. The experimental characterization conducted included shock testing, continuous vibration, and internal dynamic pressure measured during the shock event.

The shock testing was conducted both at the Army Research Lab as well at UNLV. The shock testing conducted at UNLV was performed on a drop tower designed and constructed during the time of this research. The …

Ion Transport Mechanisms During Hyposmotic Regulatory And Isosmotic Apoptotic Volume Decreases In A Human Lens Epithelial Cells Line, Ameet Ajit Chimote

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Living cells maintain constant volume in response to physiological stresses by altering trans-membrane ion, solute and water flow. In the present study, early and late membrane transport changes in human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cells under hyposmotic and apoptotic stress were compared. Cell potassium (Ki), rubidium (Rbi)-uptake and water content were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gravimetry, respectively. Intracellular chloride concentration [Cl]i was determined with the fluorescence dye N- (ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide (MQAE), during regulatory volume decrease (RVD) after hyposmotic stress and apoptotic volume decrease (AVD) induced by staurosporine (STP), a protein-kinase inhibitor. Cell water increased in hyposmotic balanced salt solution …

Hif-1 Alpha: A Master Regulator Of Trophoblast Differentiation And Placental Development, Kashmira Kulkarni

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Early embryonic development occurs under low oxygen levels. The placenta is an organ transiently formed during pregnancy and plays a crucial role during development of the embryo. Alterations in the placental structure or function have been associated with the pathologies such as preeclampsia in humans. In mammals, the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors have been identified as the major regulators of cellular responses in low oxygen. In the current study, we investigated the effects of low oxygen on the differentiation of trophoblast stem cells, lineage committed trophoblast giant cells and labyrinthine lineage-committed cells. We examined the effects of an …

Using The World Wide Web To Educate And Inform The Public About Risk And Agricultural Biotechnology, Douglas A. Golick, Robert D. Peterson, Leon G. Higley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The University of Nebraska and AgBios, Inc. launched the AgBiosafety website (http://agbiosaftzy.unl.edu) with the purpose of educating the public about agricultural biotechnology risk and safezy issues through science-based content. This article discusses the creation ofthe website, its components, and data gathered from usage statistics and a web-delivered survey. Also included is a discussion of the results ofdata gathered and recommendations for future web-based educational efforts in biotechnology safety and risk assessment.

Genes Differentially Expressed By Cumulus Cells And Assays Using Same To Identify Pregnancy Competent Oocytes, Jose B. Cibelli, Amy E. Iager, Hasan H. Otu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

A genetic means of identifying "pregnancy competent" oocytes is provided. The means comprises detecting the level of expression of one or more genes that are expressed at characteristic levels (upregulated or downregulated) in cumulus cells derived from pregnancy competent oocytes. This characteristic gene expression level, or pattern referred to herein as the "pregnancy signature", also can be used to identify subjects with underlying conditions that impair or prevent the development of a viable pregnancy, e.g., pre-menopausal condition, other hormonal dysfunction, ovarian dysfunction, ovarian cyst, cancer or other cell proliferation disorder, autoimmune disease and the like. In preferred embodiments the …

Switchgrass For Bioethanol And Other Value-Added Applications: A Review, Deepak R. Keshwani, Jay J. Cheng

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Switchgrass is a promising feedstock for value-added applications due to its high productivity, potentially low requirements for agricultural inputs and positive environmental impacts. The objective of this paper is to review published research on the conversion of switchgrass into bioethanol and other value-added products. Environmental benefits associated with switchgrass include the potential for carbon sequestration, nutrient recovery from runoff, soil remediation and provision of habitats for grassland birds. Pretreatment of switchgrass is required to improve the yields of fermentable sugars. Based on the type of pretreatment, glucose yields range from 70% to 90%, and xylose yields range from 70% to …

Plant Sterol And Policosanol Characterization Of Hexane Extracts From Grain Sorghum, Corn, And Their Ddgs, Caolina Leguizamón, Curtis L. Weller, Vicki L. Schlegel, Timothy P. Carr

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Plant sterols (PS) and policosanols (PC) have been attributed with plasma cholesterol-lowering properties in humans. Hexane extracts from grain sorghum, corn and their distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS), an important co-product of ethanol production, contain these health promoting compounds, which could be used to develop health promoting dietary products. However, limited information is currently available regarding optimal methods of extraction and their influence on plant sterol or PC levels and compositions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify lipids, particularly PS and PC extracted from grain sorghum and its DDGS using reflux and Soxtec methods. Corn and …