Engineering Commons^™

Simulated Biological Fluid Exposure Changes Nanoceria’S Surface Properties But Not Its Biological Response, Robert A. Yokel, Matthew L. Hancock, Benjamin Cherian, Alexandra J. Brooks, Marsha L. Ensor, Hemendra J. Vekaria, Patrick G. Sullivan, Eric A. Grulke

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Nanoscale cerium dioxide (nanoceria) has industrial applications, capitalizing on its catalytic, abrasive, and energy storage properties. It auto-catalytically cycles between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, giving it pro-and anti-oxidative properties. The latter mediates beneficial effects in models of diseases that have oxidative stress/inflammation components. Engineered nanoparticles become coated after body fluid exposure, creating a corona, which can greatly influence their fate and effects. Very little has been reported about nanoceria surface changes and biological effects after pulmonary or gastrointestinal fluid exposure. The study objective was to address the hypothesis that simulated biological fluid (SBF) exposure changes nanoceria’s surface properties …

Post-Acquisition Processing Confounds In Brain Volumetric Quantification Of White Matter Hyperintensities, Ahmed A. Bahrani, Omar M. Al-Janabi, Erin L. Abner, Shoshana H. Bardach, Richard J. Kryscio, Donna M. Wilcock, Charles D. Smith, Gregory A. Jicha

Neurology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Disparate research sites using identical or near-identical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition techniques often produce results that demonstrate significant variability regarding volumetric quantification of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the aging population. The sources of such variability have not previously been fully explored.

NEW METHOD: 3D FLAIR sequences from a group of randomly selected aged subjects were analyzed to identify sources-of-variability in post-acquisition processing that can be problematic when comparing WMH volumetric data across disparate sites. The methods developed focused on standardizing post-acquisition protocol processing methods to develop a protocol with less than 0.5% inter-rater variance.

RESULTS: A series …

Usgs 104(B) Grant Program: Kentucky’S Fy 2018 Projects, Emily Koyagi, Steve Evans, Lindell Ormsbee

KWRRI Annual Technical Reports (USGS’s 104b Grant Program)

The Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI) is one of 54 federally authorized water resource institutes or centers throughout the United States and its territories. It operates under the authority of the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-379 codified at 42 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) through the Water Resources Research Institutes Program administered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). KWRRI’s annual base grant program under section 104(b) supports the following objectives specified in the Water Resources Research Act:

1. Plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and peer reviewed research that fosters: a. improvements in water …

Distinct Patterns Of Default Mode And Executive Control Network Circuitry Contribute To Present And Future Executive Function In Older Adults, Christopher A. Brown, Frederick A. Schmitt, Charles D. Smith, Brian T. Gold

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Executive function (EF) performance in older adults has been linked with functional and structural profiles within the executive control network (ECN) and default mode network (DMN), white matter hyperintensities (WMH) burden and levels of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Here, we simultaneously explored the unique contributions of these factors to baseline and longitudinal EF performance in older adults. Thirty-two cognitively normal (CN) older adults underwent neuropsychological testing at baseline and annually for three years. Neuroimaging and AD pathology measures were collected at baseline. Separate linear regression models were used to determine which of these variables predicted composite EF scores at baseline …

Bamorc: A Software Package For Accurate And Robust 13C Reference Correction Of Protein Nmr Spectra, Xi Chen, Andrey Smelter, Hunter N. B. Moseley

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

We describe Bayesian Model Optimized Reference Correction (BaMORC), a software package that performs ¹³C chemical shifts reference correction for either assigned or unassigned peak lists derived from protein NMR spectra. BaMORC provides an intuitive command line interface that allows non-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experts to detect and correct ¹³C chemical shift referencing errors of unassigned peak lists at the very beginning of NMR data analysis, further lowering the bar of expertise required for effective protein NMR analysis. Furthermore, BaMORC provides an application programming interface for integration into sophisticated protein NMR data analysis pipelines, both before and after the …

Surface-Controlled Dissolution Rates: A Case Study Of Nanoceria In Carboxylic Acid Solutions, Eric A. Grulke, Matthew J. Beck, Robert A. Yokel, Jason M. Unrine, Uschi M. Graham, Matthew L. Hancock

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Nanoparticle dissolution in local milieu can affect their ecotoxicity and therapeutic applications. For example, carboxylic acid release from plant roots can solubilize nanoceria in the rhizosphere, affecting cerium uptake in plants. Nanoparticle dispersions were dialyzed against ten carboxylic acid solutions for up to 30 weeks; the membrane passed cerium-ligand complexes but not nanoceria. Dispersion and solution samples were analyzed for cerium by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Particle size and shape distributions were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanoceria dissolved in all carboxylic acid solutions, leading to cascades of progressively smaller nanoparticles and producing soluble products. The dissolution …

Novel Calibrated Short Tr Recovery (Castrr) Method For Brain-Blood Partition Coefficient Correction Enhances Gray-White Matter Contrast In Blood Flow Measurements In Mice, Scott W. Thalman, David K. Powell, Ai-Ling Lin

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

The goal of the study was to develop a novel, rapid Calibrated Short TR Recovery (CaSTRR) method to measure the brain-blood partition coefficient (BBPC) in mice. The BBPC is necessary for quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) using tracer-based techniques like arterial spin labeling (ASL), but previous techniques required prohibitively long acquisition times so a constant BBPC equal to 0.9 mL/g is typically used regardless of studied species, condition, or disease. An accelerated method of BBPC correction could improve regional specificity in CBF maps particularly in white matter. Male C57Bl/6N mice (n = 8) were scanned at 7T using CaSTRR …

Session 3a: Drinking Water, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Evaluating Potential Health Threats from Untreated Karst Springs as Community Drinking Water Sources, Monroe County, Kentucky
• Benefits of Energy Savings Performance Contracting for Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
• Self-Cleaning Nanocomposite Membranes with Phosphorene-Based Pore Fillers for Water Treatment

Session 3b: Pollutant Removal, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Investigation of PlarClean and Gamma-Valerolactone as Solvents for Polysulfone Membrane Fabrication
• Selenium Removal Using Bacteria Entrapped Alginate Gel Beads in a Packed-Bed Reactor
• Nanotechnology and Membranes: Water detoxification from Lab Scale to Real Site Applications

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

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• 2.1 Climate Change Impacts on Sediment Transport in a Lowland Watershed System: Controlling Processes and Projection
• 2.2 Assessment of MRSA Presence in Suburban WWTPs Effluent and Receiving Streams in Lexington, Kentucky
• 2.3 Heavy Metal Capture and Detection Using Colored Synthetic Dithiol
• 2.4 Quantifying Nutrient Fate and Transport in Karst Agroecosystems of Central Kentucky: Application of High-Resolution Sensors, Numerical Modeling, and Isotope Tracers
• 2.5 Magnetic Nanocomposite Materials for the Detection and Removal of Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Contaminated Water Sources
• 2.6 Measuring and Modeling Morphologic Processes in Karst to Sustain Water Resources in the Future
• 2.7 Impedance Spectroscopy Based Evaluation of …

Session 2a: Ecology, Biology, And Climate, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Ecological Monitoring of WRP Easements in Western Kentucky
• Discussion of Factors Influencing Ecosystem Productivity in the Greenup Pool of the Ohio River
• Biotic Interactions Between a Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria and a Planktonic Protist: Implications for Toxin Production
• The Use of Multiple Large and Detailed Databases to Evaluate the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources in the Ohio River Basin
• Evaluating and Addressing Climate Awareness and Water in Kentucky

Session 2b: Groundwater And Karst, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Incorporating Machine Learning with LiDAR for Delineating Sinkholes
• Advances in Urban Karst Hydrological and Contaminant Monitoring Techniques for Real-Time and High-Resolution Applications
• Finding the Edge: How Can We Apply Edge of Field Monitoring to Karst?
• An Urban Karst Groundwater Evaluation and Monitoring Toolbox
• Center-Pivot Irrigation in Western Kentucky: Adding Context to the Discussion

Session 1a: Nutrients And Sediment, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Nutrient Concentrations, Loads, and Yields at Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Stations
• Advancement in Watershed and Sediment Transport Modeling Using Dynamic Lateral, Longitudinal, and Vertical Sediment (Dis)connectivity Prediction
• Canine Nutrient Contributions to the Urban Environment
• Continuous Nutrient and Turbidity Sensors Reveal the Response of Watershed Sources Connected During Storm Events

Session 1b: Ecological Restoration, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• The Restoration of Cane Run Creek through Lexington’s Coldstream Park and UK’s Coldstream Research Campus
• Using Multiple Methods for Better Stream Restoration: Including 2-Dimensional Modeling
• An Ongoing Success Story: What Data, Persistence, and Patience has Enabled in the Hanging Fork Watershed
• Reclaiming Mill Creek: A Case Study in Urban Stream Restoration

Poster Session 1, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• 1.1 Evaluating Soil Characteristics in Rural and Urban Areas
• 1.2 Use of eDNA in Detection of Multiple Salamander Species in Eastern Kentucky Streams
• 1.3 Evaluation of biomass and filtration method on eDNA detection of fantail darters (Etheostoma flabellare)
• 1.4 The Impact of Agricultural Development on Nutrient Contamination Hotspots Within a Small, Intermittent Watershed at EKU’s Meadowbrook Farm, Madison County, Kentucky
• 1.5 How Does Drought Length Impact the Runoff and Nutrient Storm Response in an Agricultural, Intermittent Catchment in Central Kentucky?
• 1.6 Analyzing Sanitary Sewer Overflow Sensitivity to Storm Characteristics
• 1.7 Evaluating Soil Properties in No-Till and Conventional Tillage Systems
• 1.8 …

Plenary Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

No abstract provided.

Proceedings Of 2019 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

This symposium was planned and conducted as a part of the state water resources research institute annual program that is supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number G16AP00055 from the United States Geological Survey. The contents of this proceedings document and the views and conclusions presented at the symposium are solely the responsibility of the individual authors and presenters and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USGS or of the symposium organizers and sponsors. This publication is produced with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes. Mention of trade …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Profenofos And Triazophos Residues In The Chinese Cabbage, Brassica Chinensis, Using Ce-Doped Tio2, Xiangying Liu, You Zhan, Zhongqin Zhang, Lang Pan, Lifeng Hui, Kailin Liu, Xuguo Zhou, Lianyang Bai

Entomology Faculty Publications

Pesticides have revolutionized the modern day of agriculture and substantially reduced crop losses. Synthetic pesticides pose a potential risk to the ecosystem and to the non-target organisms due to their persistency and bioaccumulation in the environment. In recent years, a light-mediated advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) has been adopted to resolve pesticide residue issues in the field. Among the current available semiconductors, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most promising photocatalysts. In this study, we investigated the photocatalytic degradation of profenofos and triazophos residues in Chinese cabbage, Brassica chinensis, using a Cerium-doped nano semiconductor TiO₂ (TiO …

Barn Considerations For Cash Hay Operations, Morgan D. Hayes

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A well designed and built a barn can be invaluable for cash hay operation. Barn provide opportunity to reduce losses in dry matter and help maintain quality throughout the winter. There are numerous styles of barns that hay producers can purchase or build themselves. Wood frame structures, often with metal roofs and metal sides, are fairly common. You can also build barns with a steel structure with or without metal siding on the walls. Hoop barns are another common hay storage structure - particularly common with round bale storage. All, however, provide valuable storage for hay. There are four areas …

Potential Economic Impacts Of Allocating More Land For Bioenergy Biomass Production In Virginia, Thomas O. Ochuodho, Janaki R. R. Alavalapati, Pankaj Lal, Domena A. Agyeman, Bernabas Wolde, Pralhad Burli

Forestry and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

The growing attention to renewable energy and rural development has created greater demand for production of biomass feedstock for bioenergy. However, forest growth rates and the amount of land in most existing forests may not be sufficient to sustainably supply the forest biomass required to support existing forest products industries and the expanding bioenergy industry. Additionally, concerns about agricultural land use competition have dampened expansion of biomass production on agricultural land base. One of the ways to meet the growing forest biomass feedstock demand for bioenergy production is by allocating currently marginal non-forested land for growing bioenergy feedstocks. In Virginia, …

Impact Of Conformational Change, Solvation Environment, And Post-Translational Modification On Desulfurization Enzyme 2'-Hydroxybiphenyl-2-Sulfinate Desulfinase (Dszb) Stability And Activity, Landon C. Mills

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Naturally occurring enzymatic pathways enable highly specific, rapid thiophenic sulfur cleavage occurring at ambient temperature and pressure, which may be harnessed for the desulfurization of petroleum-based fuel. One pathway found in bacteria is a four-step catabolic pathway (the 4S pathway) converting dibenzothiophene (DBT), a common crude oil contaminant, into 2-hydroxybiphenyl (HBP) without disrupting the carbon-carbon bonds. 2’-Hydroxybiphenyl-2-sulfinate desulfinase (DszB), the rate-limiting enzyme in the enzyme cascade, is capable of selectively cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds. Accordingly, understanding the molecular mechanisms of DszB activity may enable development of the cascade as industrial biotechnology. Based on crystallographic evidence, we hypothesized that DszB …

Evaluation Of Air Movement In Equestrian Facilities And On Equine Athletes, Staci Elaine Mcgill

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Ventilation and air movement are important aspects of animal agriculture and is frequently neglected in equine facilities. This paper discusses three different studies that examine different components of ventilation and air movement. One is a fan orientation study which examines how fans impact the stall environment, the second is a cooling study questioning whether forced air speed across a horse increases the rate of cool out after intense exercise, and the last is a survey examining ventilation, air quality, and health concerns in indoor arenas.

The stall fan study took place over two summers with the goal of determining how …

Relation Prediction Over Biomedical Knowledge Bases For Drug Repositioning, Mehmet Bakal

Theses and Dissertations--Computer Science

Identifying new potential treatment options for medical conditions that cause human disease burden is a central task of biomedical research. Since all candidate drugs cannot be tested with animal and clinical trials, in vitro approaches are first attempted to identify promising candidates. Likewise, identifying other essential relations (e.g., causation, prevention) between biomedical entities is also critical to understand biomedical processes. Hence, it is crucial to develop automated relation prediction systems that can yield plausible biomedical relations to expedite the discovery process. In this dissertation, we demonstrate three approaches to predict treatment relations between biomedical entities for the drug repositioning task …

Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky: Annual Technical Report 2018, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Annual Technical Reports (USGS’s 104b Grant Program)

In 2018, KWRRI launched a new website, https://www.research.uky.edu/kentucky-water-resources-research-institute, to better meet the needs of its stakeholders. KWRRI also established a repository for KWRRI’s reports, https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kwrri/. The repository includes historical KWRRI reports, annual symposium proceedings, technical reports, and the Water Distribution System Research Database. During the reporting period, KWRRI produced two editions of its semi-annual newsletter (Spring 2018 and Winter 2019). The newsletter provides updates, facilitates information sharing, and increases communication among those in the Kentucky water community. The 2019 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium was held on March 25, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky. The day-long symposium, attended by …

Design And Testing Of A Wind Energy Harnessing System For Forced Convective Drying Of Grain In Low Wind Speed, Warm And Humid Climates, Francis Akumabi Agbali

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Forced convective drying using a wind turbine mechanically connected to a ventilation fan was hypothesized for low cost and rapid grain drying in developing countries. The idea was tested using an expandable wind turbine blade system with variable pitch, at low wind speeds in a wind tunnel. The design was based on empirical and theoretical models embedded in a graphical user interface (GUI) created to estimate airflow-power requirements for drying ear corn. Output airflow (0.0016 - 0.0052 m³kg^-1s^-1) increased within the study wind speed range (2.0 - 5.5 m/s). System efficiency peak (8.6%) was …