Digital Commons Network^™

Large-Scale On-Farm Implementation Of Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Management Strategies For Increasing Maize Water Productivity, Suat Irmak, Michael J. Burgert, Haishun Yang, Kenneth G. Cassman, Daniel T. Walters, William R. Rathje, Jose O. Payero, Patricio Grassini, Mark S. Kuzila, Kelly J. Brunkhorst, Dean E. Eisenhauer, William L. Kranz, Brandy Vandewalle, Jennifer M. Rees, Gary L. Zoubek, Charles A. Shapiro, Gregory J. Teichmeier

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Irrigated maize is produced on about 3.5 Mha in the U.S. Great Plains and western Corn Belt. Most irrigation water comes from groundwater. Persistent drought and increased competition for water resources threaten long-term viability of groundwater resources, which motivated our research to develop strategies to increase water productivity without noticeable reduction in maize yield. Results from previous research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) experiment stations in 2005 and 2006 found that it was possible to substantially reduce irrigation amounts and increase irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and crop water use efficiency (CWUE) (or crop water productivity) with little or …

Evaporative Losses From A Common Reed-Dominated Peachleaf Willow And Cottonwood Riparian Plant Community, Isa Kabenge, Suat Irmak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Our study is one of the first to integrate and apply within-canopy radiation physics parameters and scaling-up leaf-level stomatal resistace (r_L) to canopy resistance (r_c) approach to quantify hourly transpiration (TRP) rates of individual riparian plant species—common reed (Phragmites australis), peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), and cottonwood (Populus deltoides)— in a mixed riparian plant community in the Platte River Basin in central Nebraska. Two experimental years (2009 and 2010) were contrasted by warmer air temperature and presence of flood water in 2010. The seasonal average r_c values for common reed, …

Curcumin-Loaded Magnetic Nanoparticles For Breast Cancer Therapeutics And Imaging Applications, Murali M. Yallapu, Shadi F. Othman, Evan T. Curtis, Nichole A. Bauer, Neeraj Chauhan, Deepak Kumar, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Breast cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. It is estimated that 230,480 women were diagnosed with, and 39,520 women died from, breast cancer in 2011 in the United States.¹ Basal-like breast cancer accounts for 15% of all breast cancers and has a poor prognosis. The majority of these cancers are referred to as triple-negative breast cancers because they do not over express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.^2,3 Chemotherapy is an effective option to treat such cancers; however, chemotherapy is always associated with several sets of side …

Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges For Sustainable Production, Douglas L. Karlen, David Archer, Adam Liska, Seth Meyer

Adam Liska Papers

Quantifying energy issues associated with agricultural systems, even for a two-crop corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotation, is not a simple task. It becomes even more complicated if the goal is to include all aspects of sustainability (i.e., economic, environmental, and social). This Issue Paper examines energy issues associated with and affecting corn/soybean rotations by first defining the size of the system from both a U.S. and global perspective and then establishing boundaries based on the Farm Bill definition of sustainability. This structured approach is essential to help quantify energy issues within corn/soybean …

Mononuclear Phagocyte Intercellular Crosstalk Facilitates Transmission Of Cell-Targeted Nanoformulated Antiretroviral Drugs To Human Brain Endothelial Cells, Georgette D. Kanmogne, Sangya Singh, Upal Roy, Xinming Liu, Joellyn Mcmillan, Santhi Gorantla, Shantanu Balkundi, Nathan Smith, Yazen Alnouti, Nagsen Gautam, You Zhou, Larisa Poluektova, Alexander Kabanov, Tatiana Bronich, Howard Gendelman

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Despite the successes of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain prevalent in infected people. This is due, in part, to incomplete ART penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and lymph nodes and to the establishment of viral sanctuaries within the central nervous system. In efforts to improve ART delivery, our laboratories developed a macrophage-carriage system for nanoformulated crystalline ART (nanoART) (atazanavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and efavirenz). We demonstrate that nanoART transfer from mononuclear phagocytes (MP) to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) can be realized through cell-to-cell contacts, which can facilitate drug passage across the BBB. Coculturing of donor MP …

Go Niche Or Go Home: Influence Maximization In The Presence Of Strong Opponent, Long Foong Liow

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In hotly contested product categories dominated by a few powerful firms, it is quite common for weaker or late entrants to focus only on particular segments of the whole market. The rationale for such strategy is intuitive: to avoid direct confrontation with heavy-weight firms, and to concentrate in segments where these weaker firms have comparative advantages. In marketing, this is what people called “go niche or go home”. The niche-building strategy may rely on “homophily”, which implies that consumers in a particular market segment might possess certain set of attributes that cause them to appreciate certain products better (in other …

An In Vitro Comparative Study Of Intracanal Fluid Motion And Wall Shear Stress Induced By Ultrasonic And Polymer Rotary Finishing Files In A Simulated Root Canal Model, Jon Koch, John Borg, Abby Mattson, Kris Olsen, James Bahcall

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objective. This in vitro study compared the flow pattern and shear stress of an irrigant induced by ultrasonic and polymer rotary finishing file activation in an acrylic root canal model. Flow visualization analysis was performed using an acrylic canal filled with a mixture of distilled water and rheoscopic fluid. The ultrasonic and polymer rotary finishing file were separately tested in the canal and activated in a static position and in a cyclical axial motion (up and down). Particle movement in the fluid was captured using a high-speed digital camera and DaVis 7.1 software. The fluid shear stress analysis was …

On Critical Infrastructure Interdependency, Polinpapilinho F. Katina, C. Ariel Pinto

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Developing effective protection, mitigation, and recovery measures for critical infrastructure (CI) systems is paramount in the wake of increasing natural and manmade hazards, risks, and threats. Influencing protection, rescue, and recovery measures are interplays (i.e., interdependencies) among infrastructure systems. Understanding interdependencies plays an essential role in minimizing and reducing cascading failures among complex interdependent infrastructure systems. This paper asserts that deployment of protection, mitigation, and recovery solutions can have little effect on infrastructure management if infrastructure operators and policymakers have partial understanding of infrastructure interdependencies. Using narrative research, authors illustrate that effective coordination and response for protection, mitigation, and recovery …

Subsurface Phosphorus Transport And Scale Dependent Phosphorus Leaching In Alluvial Floodplains, Derek Michael Heeren

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Increased nutrient loads have resulted in several adverse impacts on surface water quality, including excessive algal growth, fish kills, and drinking water taste and odor issues across the United States and especially in the Ozark ecoregion of northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. Nitrogen is a concern, but phosphorus (P) is generally considered the limiting nutrient in most surface water systems. Scientists and engineers need to identify critical nutrient source areas and transport mechanisms within a catchment in order to cost effectively protect and enhance drinking water systems, recreation activities, and aquatic ecosystems. While surface runoff is considered to be the …

Chemotaxis Of Drosophila Glia With Controlled Microenvironments, Cade Beck

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Rugose, A Drosophila Akap And Loco, A Rgs Protein In Synaptogenesis And Development, Kemeh Georgina

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Human Lung Cancer Cytochrome C-Gfp Reporter Cell Line To Study Anti-Cancer Drug Responses In Apoptosis Pathways, Sidra A Piracha

Dissertations and Theses

"Currently chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most popular methods for cancer treatments after surgery, but lack of specificity and are thus toxic to the healthy human cells. Studies have shown that targeted therapies have been linked to activation of apoptosis signal pathways (cascade of caspases) in cancer cells including intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. One of the major pathways leading to caspase activation involves the release of cytochrome-c from mitochondria. However, in some tumor cells this pathway is inactivated due to the mutation of mitochondria membrane stabilizing proteins (e.g. Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). Therefore, the overall objective of this proposal was to understand …

Characterization Of Rheological Properties And Degradation Of Genipin Crosslinked Fibrin Hydrogel For Annulus Repair, Dave Khyati

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Mild Heating On The Osteogenic Differentiation Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Inflammation, Kristifor Sunderic

Dissertations and Theses

"Current surgical procedures to treat osteoarthritis have varying degrees of success, but carry inherent risks and a finite life expectancy. A more permanent solution is a treatment that regenerates biologically viable tissue that integrates with the patient and retains functionality. For maximal effectiveness, such a treatment should also repair bone loss known to occur in osteoarthritis and attenuate chronic inflammation that can obstruct healing. Mesenchymal stem cells have great potential to be used as part of a novel therapy for bone and cartilage regeneration. They are a highly regulated, self-renewing population of cells with potent mechanisms to avoid allogeneic rejection, …

Using Virtual Reality Modelling To Enhance Electrical Safety And Design In The Built Environment., Martin Barrett

Doctoral

This thesis presents a prototype desktop virtual reality model entitled ‘Virtual Electrical Services’, to enhance electrical safety and design in the built environment. The model presented has the potential to be used as an educational tool for third level students, a design tool for industry, or as a virtual electrical safety manual for the general public. A description of the development of the virtual reality model is presented along with the applications that were developed within the model. As part of the VR development process, this research investigates the cause and effects of electrical accidents in domestic properties. This highlights …

Assessing The Therapeutic Effect Of 630 Nm Light-Emitting Diodes Irradiation On The Recovery Of Exercise-Induced Hand Muscle Fatigue With Surface Electromyogram, Dandan Yang, Xiaoying Wu, Wensheng Hou, Xiaolin Zheng, Jun Zheng, Yingtao Jiang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

This paper aims to investigate the effect of light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on exercise-induced hand muscle fatigue by measuring the surface electromyography (sEMG) of flexor digitorum superficialis. Ten healthy volunteers were randomly placed in the equal sized LEDT group and control group. All subjects performed a sustained fatiguing isometric contraction with the combination of four fingertips except thumb at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until exhaustion. The active LEDT or an identical passive rest therapy was then applied to flexor digitorum superficialis. Each subject was required to perform a re-fatigue task immediately after therapy which was the same …

Las Vegas Strip Odor Remediation, Francell R. Rodriguez, Daniel Hoskins, Guadalupe Gutierrez

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

The project described in our report looks at four alternatives to eliminate odor from the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd: biofiltration, Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration, nitrate addition and the alternative of doing nothing. The odor is caused mainly by hydrogen sulfide, which escapes from the sewer system in this area. Each alternative was evaluated based on effectiveness, land usage, energy consumption, water and material usage, and cost. Cost was further broken down into initial costs and annual costs, and then a cash flow analysis was performed to evaluate the cost over a 30 year timeframe.

Nitrate …

Mandibular Bone Mechanics And Evaluation Of Temporomandibular Joint Devices, Shirishkumar Marutirao Ingawale

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of the mandibular and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) biomechanics is of importance in various clinical scenarios as it helps better understanding of the structure and function necessary to diagnose, prevent, and treat temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The objectives of this dissertation research were to characterize biomechanical behavior of cadaveric human mandible, and to design and analyze patient-specific total TMJ prostheses. We performed a combined experimental-numerical study to validate the finite element (FE) models of 16 cadaveric human mandibles by comparing strain gauge measurements with FE-predicted surface strains. Analysis of experimental data showed that strains at the condylar locations were significantly different …

Computational Analysis Of Hybrid Norwood Circulation With Distal Aortic Arch Obstruction And Reverse Blalock-Taussig Shunt, Andres Ceballos, I. Ricardo Argueta-Morales, Eduardo Divo, Ruben Osorio, Christopher A. Caldarone, Alain J. Kassab, William M. Decampli

Mechanical Engineering - Daytona Beach

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamics characteristics of the hybrid Norwood (HN) procedure differ from those of the conventional Norwood and are not fully understood. We present a multi-scale model of HN circulation to understand local hemodynamics and effects of aortic arch stenosis and a reverse Blalock-Taussig shunt (RBTS) on coronary and carotid perfusion. METHODS: Four 3-dimensional models of four HN anatomic variants were developed, with and without 90% distal preductal arch stenosis and with and without a 4-mm RBTS. A lumped parameter model of the circulation was coupled to a local 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. Outputs from the lumped parameter model …

Computational Fluid Dynamics In Congenital Heart Disease, William M. Decampli, I. Ricardo Argueta-Morales, Eduardo Divo, Alain J. Kassab

Mechanical Engineering - Daytona Beach

Computational fluid dynamics has been applied to the design, refinement, and assessment of surgical procedures and medical devices. This tool calculates flow patterns and pressure changes within a virtual model of the cardiovascular system. In the field of paediatric cardiac surgery, computational fluid dynamics is being used to elucidate the optimal approach to staged reconstruction of specific defects and study the haemodynamics of the resulting anatomical configurations after reconstructive or palliative surgery. In this paper, we review the techniques and principal findings of computational fluid dynamics studies as applied to a few representative forms of congenital heart disease.

Optimization Of A Biomimetic Poly(Lactic Acid) Ligament Scaffold, Andrew F. Uehlin

All ETDs from UAB

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee, often requiring orthopedic reconstruction using autograft or allograph tissue, both with significant disadvantages. As a result, tissue engineering an ACL replacement graft has been heavily investigated. The present study attempts to replicate the morphology and mechanical properties of the ACL using a nanomatrix composite of highly-aligned poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers with various surface and biochemical modifications. Additionally, this study attempts to recreate the natural mineralization gradient found at the ACL enthesis onto the scaffold, capable of inducing a favorable cellular response in vitro. Unidirectional electrospinning was …

Processing And Evaluation Of Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Plates For Internal Fixation, Paul Benjamin Warren

All ETDs from UAB

The metallic plates used in internal fracture fixation may have up to ten times the elastic modulus of normal bone tissue, causing stress shielding-induced osteopenia in healed bone that can lead to re-fracture after plate removal and prolonged and painful recovery. Thermoplastic polymer matrix composites reinforced with long carbon fiber are promising alternative materials for internal fixation plates because they may be produced with relative ease and be tailored to have specific mechanical properties, alleviating the stress shielding problem. Long carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (LCF PEEK) plates were produced using the extrusion / compression molding process. Static flexural testing determined that …

Regulation Of Paps Synthetase 2 By Tranforming Growth Factor-Beta And Its Role In The Maintenance Of Mouse Articular Cartilage, Girish Ramaswamy

All ETDs from UAB

Articular cartilage is a special type of hyaline cartilage present at the end of long bones and facilitates smooth functioning of joints and transfer of load. While most cartilage elements in the body are transient, articular cartilage is permanent and functions throughout life. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint degenerative disease and the leading cause of disability in the industrialized world. A multitude of factors including aging, orthopedic trauma, genetics etc. have been associated with OA. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a multifunctional polypeptide which plays an important role in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Previously, mice with …

Mechanical Analysis Of Bacterial Nanocellulose For Biomedical Applications, Joseph Mathias Schwertz

All ETDs from UAB

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a biopolymer that has been used in a variety of applications ranging from speaker diaphragms to biomedical products. Created by micro-organisms like Gluconacetobacter xylinus, BNC is composed of long cellulose fibers in a highly crystalline hydrogel. Recent interest in BNC based materials has led to the discov-ery of several cultivation and post-processing treatments that have enabled researchers to control the mechanical and structural properties of the hydrogel. Three BNC treatments were mechanically evaluated through tensile testing. Ten-sile tests were conducted using dogbone shape test strips and a video extensometer. Phys-ical compression of a BNC hydrogels not …

Engineering Of Pulsed Laser Deposited Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials In Controlled Atmospheres, Saulius Edmundas Drukteinis

All ETDs from UAB

Synthetic calcium phosphates (CAP) such as hydroxyapatite (HA) have been used as regenerative bone graft materials and also as thin films to improve the integration of biomedical implant devices within skeletal tissue. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) can deposit crystalline HA with significant adhesion on titanium biomaterials. However, there are PLD processing constraints due to the complex physical and chemical interactions occurring simultaneously during PLD, which influence ablation plume formation and development. In this investigation PLD CAP films were engineered with a focus on novel decoupling of partial pressure of H2O (g) (P(H2O)) from total background pressure, in combination with substrate …

Sonication Treatment Of Diesel Fuel Laden Sump Water, Roxanne E. Bessette

All ETDs from UAB

Diesel engines are the work horses of industry and transportation. Pervasive diesel fuel use impacts stormwater, by increasing petroleum releases to surface waters. Sump containment of diesel-adulterated stormwater commonly keeps diesel from contacting surface waters. Once contained, the quandary lies in effective stormwater treatment that allows discharges within the local watershed. On-site treatment of diesel sump water ordinarily involves gravity oil-water separation technologies. These technologies' treatment times range from hours to days. Commonly, they cannot meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater discharge standards for oil and grease because they best remove `free' oil not commonly occurring emulsions. Oil-water …

Dynamics Of A Close-Loop Controlled Mems Resonator, Abdulrahman Seleim, Shahrzad Towfighian, Emmanuel Delande, Eihab Abdel-Rahman, Glenn Heppler

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Scholarship

The dynamics of a close-loop electrostatic MEMS resonator, proposed as a platform for ultra sensitive mass sensors, is investigated. The parameter space of the resonator actuation voltage is investigated to determine the optimal operating regions. Bifurcation diagrams of the resonator response are obtained at five different actuation voltage levels. The resonator exhibits bi-stability with two coexisting stable equilibrium points located inside a lower and an upper potential wells. Steady-state chaotic attractors develop inside each of the potential wells and around both wells. The optimal region in the parameter space for mass sensing purposes is determined. In that region, steady-state chaotic …

Are Posture Data From Simulated Tasks Representative Of Field Conditions? Case Study For Overhead Electric Utility Workers, Cristiane Shinohara Moriguichi, Leticia Carnaz, Luiz Carlos De Miranda Jr, Richard W. Marklin, Helenice Jane Cote Gil Coury

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Many ergonomics studies are conducted in laboratory-simulated work environments to assess risks for the development of musculoskeletal disorders under more controlled conditions. However, the simulated conditions could be of questionable validity with respect to reproduction of field conditions involving risk factors. The objective of this study was to verify whether the postures recorded for neck extension/flexion and upper arm elevation of overhead electric utility workers in a simulated environment were similar to those recorded in a field environment. Of the three frequently performed tasks analysed, two presented similar exposure in both conditions. However, differences were identified for a more complex …

Optical Fluid-Based Photonic And Display Devices, Su Xu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conventional solid-state photonic devices exhibit an ultra-high optical performance and durability, but minimal adaptability. Recently, optical fluid-based photonic and display devices are emerging. By dynamically manipulating the optical interface formed by liquids, the optical output can be reconfigured or adaptively tuned in real time. Such devices exhibit some unique characteristics that are not achievable in conventional solid-state photonic devices. Therefore, they open a gateway for new applications, such as image and signal processing, optical communication, sensing, and lab-on-a-chip, etc. Different operation principles of optical fluidbased photonic devices have been proposed, for instance fluidic pressure, electrochemistry, thermal effect, environmentally adaptive hydrogel, …

Geographical Assessment Of Microalgae Biofuels Potential Incorporating Resource Availability, Jason C. Quinn, Kimberly Catton, Sara Johnson, Thomas H. Bradley

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Previous assessments of the economic feasibility and large-scale productivity of microalgae biofuels have not considered the impacts of land and carbon dioxide (CO2) availability on the scalability of microalgae-based biofuels production. To accurately assess the near-term productivity potential of large-scale microalgae biofuel in the US, a geographically realized growth model was used to simulate microalgae lipid yields based on meteorological data. The resulting lipid productivity potential of Nannochloropsis under large-scale cultivation is combined with land and CO2 resource availability illustrating current geographically feasible production sites and corresponding productivity in the US. Baseline results show that CO2 transport constraints will limit …