Engineering Commons^™

Purification And Scale-Up Of A Recombinant Heavy Chain Fragment C Of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E In Pichia Pastoris Gs115, Michael P. Dux, Rick Barent, Jayanta Sinha, Mark Gouthro, Todd Swanson, Ardis Barthuli, Mehmet Inan, John T. Ross, Leonard A. Smith, Theresa J. Smith, Robert Webb, Bonnie Loveless, Ian Henderson, Michael M. Meagher

Michael Meagher Publications

A recombinant C-terminus heavy chain fragment from botulinum neurotoxin serotype E (BoNT/E) is proposed as a vaccine against the serotype E neurotoxin. This fragment, rBoNTE(H_c), was produced intracellular in Pichia pastoris GS115 by a three-step fermentation process, i.e., glycerol batch phase and a glycerol fed-batch phase to achieve high cell densities, followed by a methanol fed-batch induction phase. The rBoNTE(H_c) protein was purified from the soluble fraction of cell lysates using three ion-exchange chromatography steps (SP Sepharose Fast Flow, Q Sepharose Fast Flow, Sp Sepharose High Performance) and polished with a hydrophobic charge induction chromatography step …

Dissolution Kinetics Of High Explosives Particles In A Saturated Sandy Soil, Matthew C. Morley, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Gerald E. Speitel, Jr., Jay Clausen

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Solid phase high explosive (HE) residues from munitions detonation may be a persistent source of soil and groundwater contamination at military training ranges. Saturated soil column tests were conducted to observe the dissolution behavior of individual components (RDX, HMX, and TNT) from two HE formulations (Comp B and C4). HE particles dissolved readily, with higher velocities yielding higher dissolution rates, higher mass transfer coefficients, and lower effluent concentrations. Effluent concentrations were below solubility limits for all components at superficial velocities of 10–50 cm day^-1. Under continuous flow at 50 cm day^-1, RDX dissolution rates from Comp …

Detection Of Inclement Weather Conditions At A Signalized Intersection Using A Video Image Processing Algorithm, Anuj Sharma, Darcy M. Bullock, Srinivas Peeta, James V. Krogmeier

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Inclement weather conditions like snowfall adversely affect traffic flow characteristics, necessitating a change in parameters that define the operation of a signalized intersection. A weather-based timing plan selection is needed to maintain a desirable level of operational efficiency. Automatic implementation of weather-based timing at intersections requires accurate and timely detection of snowfall. This paper presents a snow detection algorithm that uses live video feed obtained from a video image vehicle detection system present at an intersection.

Stochastic Algorithm For Improved Operations At Isolated High Speed Intersections, Anuj Sharma, Darcy M. Bullock, Srinivas Peeta

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The current practice of specifying simultaneous gap out logic at isolated high speed signalized intersections places constraints on the signal controller logic that cannot be satisfied under high congestion level. Further, it often results in degraded signal efficiency and dilemma zone protection. A stochastic approach is proposed in this paper with the objective of increasing safety and efficiency at these intersections.

Towards Monitoring Galileo: The European Gnss Supervisory Authority In Statu Nascendi = Zur Künftigen Überwachungsagentur Des Galileo Systems, Vers Une Autorité De Surveillance Du Système Galileo, Frans G. Von Der Dunk

Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program: Faculty Publications

There is little doubt that one of the most interesting and revolutionary, but also complicated and challenging space projects of today is Galileo, Europe’s own full-fledged second-generation navigation satellite system. Developed jointly by the European Union through the Commission and the European Space Agency, Galileo should by the end of the decade have thirty operational satellites in middle-earth-orbits providing timing, positioning and navigation signals across the globe.

From the very beginning Galileo was envisaged in particular by the Commission as a public-private-partnership (PPP). On the one hand, a private concessionaire should operate the system as of full operational capability (originally …

Conduction-Band Electron Effective Mass In Zn0.87Mn0.13Se Measured By Terahertz And Far-Infrared Magnetooptic Ellipsometry, Tino Hofmann, U. Schade, K.C. Agarwal, B. Daniel, C. Klingshirn, M. Hetterich, C.M. Herzinger, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We determine the electron effective mass parameter m^*=0.086±0.004 m₀ of thin-film n-type low-chlorine-doped Zn_0.87Mn_0.13Se with free-charge-carrier concentration N=4.5x10¹⁷ cm^-3 and optical mobility ) =300±20 cm² / (V s) using magneto-optic generalized ellipsometry in the terahertz and far-infrared spectral domain for wave numbers from ω =30–650 cm^-1. The room-temperature measurements were carried out with magnetic fields up to 3 T. We employ synchrotron and black-body radiation sources for the terahertz and far-infrared spectral regions, respectively. Comparison with previous experimental results from samples with considerably higher free electron …

A Mathematical Model For The Validation Of Safe Air-Blast Chilling Of Cooked Hams, L. J. Wang, A Amézquita, Curtis L. Weller

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

An integrated mathematical model of heat transfer and temperature-dependent bacterial growth was developed to validate the safety of cooked hams during air-blast chilling. Heat transfer through a cooked ham was mathematically modeled and analyzed with a finite element method. Response of bacteria to temperatures was quantitatively described using predictive microbiology. The cumulative effect of temperature history on the bacterial growth was taken into account in the model. For chilling cooked hams from 71°C to 10°C, the maximum error between the predicted and experimental core temperature was within 2.2°C, and the deviation between the predicted and measured total weight losses was …

System And Method For Generating Psuedo-Noise Sequences, Sina Balkir, Walter D. Leon Salas, Michael W. Hoffman, Lance C. Pérez

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Disclosed is a method for generating psuedo-noise (PN) sequences utilizing a system comprised of a quantizer, and N directly quantized output/input map containing chaotic map cells, each in functional combination with combiner means and an m-bit shift register.

Acuta Enews December 2005, Vol. 34, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

In This lssue

From the President............................... Patricia H. Todus, Northwestern University

Two Audio Seminars

Institutional Excellence Award Deadline

Tech Talk: Adjusting the Carburetor on Your Network Engine................. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

FYI: Useful lnformation from the Campus........................ Student Monitor

Web Tip: Resource for Legislative/Regulatory lnfo................ Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA lnformation Tech. Mgr.

Member Sites to See

lnfo Links............................ Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

Board Report.................... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Sec./Treasurer

Thanks to Exhibitors for 2005

DC Update............................ Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ.

Welcome New Members

ACUTA Online Press Room

Remembering Sue Fisher

Development, Testing And Evaluation Of Ndor' Tl-5 Aesthetic Open Concrete Bridge Rail, Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

An Ultra Wide Band Simulator Using Matlab/Simulink, Peter Vial, Beata J. Wysocki, Tadeusz A. Wysocki

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications (to 2015)

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is a promising technology for sensor networks, broadband wireless data access and location finding applications. This study outlines the development and validation of a single transmitter and receiver system across the multipath channel proposed by Saleh-Valenzuela. We have designed and tested a UWB simulator using MATLAB’s Simulink in combination with the Real Time Workshop(RTW) Tool box for Simulink using the Fixed Step Discrete Solvers of RTW which is required to produce executable simulations on multiple computers (both Linux and Microsoft based devices). This paper outlines the basic design and modules chosen for the simulation and compares …

Using Asterisms To Decode Multi-User Mimo Systems, Phillip Conder, Tadeusz A. Wysocki

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications (to 2015)

The area of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communications systems has received enormous attention recently as they can provide a roughly linear increase in data rate by using multiple transmit and receive antennas. MIMO combined with an Turbo coding has been shown as a promising way to achieve near capacity for wireless channels. This paper proposes applying an Asterism based decoder to produce an additional multi user access scheme on top of the primary access method for Ad Hoc networks. After reviewing Sphere and Asterism decoding for MIMO systems with a larger number of transmit than receive antennas, this paper …

Background Radio Frequency Interference Measurements For Wireless Devices In The Electricity Supply Industry, Duane Robinson, Tadeusz A. Wysocki, V. Smith, K. Popovski

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications (to 2015)

Incorporation of radio controller units into heavy equipment used in the electricity industry provides numerous advantages including: improved electrical isolation between plant and operator, ability to incorporate an additional remote operator, and reductions in vehicle wiring and hydraulic hoses for equipment control. However, secure operation of vehicles and plant incorporating radio control rely on establishing suitable levels of immunity to possible radio frequency interference. Interference levels in close proximity to high voltage power lines are of special concern to the electricity industry. This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into quantifying the levels of background radio interference at such locations …

Ferroelectric Switch For Spin Injection, Mikhail Ye. Zhuravlev, Sitaram Jaswal, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, Renat F. Sabirianov

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: Faculty Publications

A method for the switching of the spin polarization of the electric current injected into a semiconductor is proposed, based on injecting spins from a diluted magnetic semiconductor through a ferroelectric tunnel barrier. We show that the reversal of the electric polarization of the ferroelectric results in a sizable change in the spin polarization of the injected current, thereby providing a two-state electrical control of this spintronic device. We also predict a possibility of switching of tunneling magnetoresistance in magnetic tunnel junctions with a ferroelectric barrier and coexistence of tunneling magnetoresistance and giant electroresistance effects in these multiferroic tunnel junctions.

Negative Spin Polarization And Large Tunneling Magnetoresistance In Epitaxial Co|Srtio3|Co Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, Julian P. Velev, Kirill D. Belashchenko, Derek A. Stewart, Mark Van Schilfgaarde, Sitaram Jaswal, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: Faculty Publications

We perform an ab initio study of spin-polarized tunneling in epitaxial Co|SrTiO₃|Co magnetic tunnel junctions with bcc Co(001) electrodes. We predict a large tunneling magnetoresistance in these junctions, originating from a mismatch in the majority- and minority-spin bands both in bulk bcc Co and at the Co|SrTiO₃ interface. The intricate complex band structure of SrTiO₃ enables efficient tunneling of the minority d electrons which causes the spin polarization of the Co|SrTiO₃ interface to be negative in agreement with experimental data. Our results indicate that epitaxial Co|SrTiO₃|Co magnetic tunnel junctions with bcc Co(001) electrodes …

Manure Use Planning Tools For Nebraska, Charles S. Wortmann, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard K. Koelsch, Richard Deloughery

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Three computer programs have been developed to facilitate manure use planning. The Nebraska Manure Value Calculator was developed in Excel to ease the calculation of manure value (www.cnmp.unl.edu) for a specific field giving value to needed nutrients and other expected benefits, and with the option of giving value to manure nutrients used in the more distant future. Nebraska MMPAMUP and MMP-CNMP Document Generators are planning tools for animal feeding operations that work with the Purdue University Manure Management Planner (MMP). Microsoft Word documents are generated which contain some boilerplate text that can be edited, popup lists in Word AutoText to …

Are We Addressing The Cause Of Nutrient Problems?, Richard K. Koelsch

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Content:

Manure P vs. Crop Land P Use

One-Way Flow of Nutrients Is Underlying Cause

Future NMP Checklist?

Should an NMP Measure Environmental Performance?

Whole Farm Nutrient Balance

Whole Farm N Balance

Phosphorus Inputs to Livestock Systems

Should An NMP Estimate Ammonia Emissions?

Daily Ammonia Emissions from Livestock (36 km grid)

Ammonia Emissions Regulatory Thresholds

Ammonia Emissions – Swine Finishing Operations

Acuta Enews November 2005, Vol. 34, No. 11

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Despite Court Ruling, IRS Will Continue to Assess Tax............... Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executive Dir.

From ACUTA Headquarters: Upcoming ACUTA Surveys............... Jeri A. Semer, CAE, ACUTA Executiver Dir.

ACUTA Directory to Go Online

Tech Talk: WMM Adds Touch of Class to Wireless Networking................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

FYI: Useful Information from the Campus.................... Student Monitor

Web Tip: Pop-Up Blockers................ Aaron Fuehrer, ACUTA Information Technology Mgr.

Info Links.......................... Randy Hayes, University of Northern Iowa

ACUTA Online Press Room

Board Report............. Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

DC Update............ Whitney Johnson, Retired, No. Michigan Univ.

Welcome …

Elasticity Of Planar Fiber Networks, Xiangfa Wu, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

A micromechanics model is proposed for the elasticity of planar fiber networks (FNs). The FN is created by random deposition of linearly elastic straight rods within a region. The rods are bonded rigidly at contacts. Under external in-plane loading, the FN deformation consists of fiber bending, elongation, and contraction. An effective constitutive relation for fiber network is developed by averaging the strain energy dissipated by all possible fiber deformations in all directions. Numerical calculations are performed to analyze the effects of fiber aspect ratio and fiber concentration on the effective stiffness of the planar random FN. Finite element analysis (FEA) …

Engineering Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery With Self-Assembled Monolayers, Angela K. Pannier, Lonnie D Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Gene transfer has many potential applications in basic and applied sciences, including functional genomics, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Substrate- mediated delivery, also termed solid phase delivery, describes the immobilization of DNA, complexed with nonviral vectors, to a biomaterial or substrate that supports cell adhesion. A critical component to this process is designing the appropriate interactions between the DNA complexes and substrate. The objective of this study was to investigate gene transfer as a function of i) complex formation and deposition conditions and ii) non-specific and specific binding interactions between the complexes and substrate. The volume and time of complex …

Where’S The Poop? Environmental Challenges For Large And Small Animal Feeding Operations, Richard K. Koelsch, John Lawrence

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Content:

Where’s the Poop?

Status and Trends in Small and Mid-Sized Animal Operations in the U.S.

Numbers of farms, animals, & nutrients

Non-confined animals: Farms and AU

Confined animals: Farms and AU

Confined animals: Manure nutrients

Confined animals: Farms with excess manure

AFO Challenges

Bang-for-the-Buck Programming

Self-Assembly Of Nanoparticles On Live Bacterium: An Avenue To Fabricate Electronic Devices, Vikas Berry, Ravi F. Saraf

Papers in Nanotechnology

Recently, hybrid structures of microorganisms with inorganic nanoscale moieties have received great interest due to their potential in fabricating electronic systems. Electronic properties of metal nanoparticles, due to single electron transport of current[1], make them ideal material for nanodevices. Concomitantly, the nanostructure of microorganisms such as bacteria[2], viruses[3;4] and yeast[5] are attractive scaffolds for nanoparticle templating due to surface charge and biological affinities for specific molecules [2-7]. However, the key challenges in building hybrid devices are patterning nanostructures without destroying the biological construct of the microorganism and achieving active integration of biological response to the electrical transport in nanoparticle device. …

Least-Squares Finite-Element Scheme For The Lattice Boltzmann Method On An Unstructured Mesh, Yusong Li, Eugene J. Leboeuf, P. K. Basu

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A numerical model of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) utilizing least-squares finite-element method in space and the Crank–Nicolson method in time is developed. This method is able to solve fluid flow in domains that contain complex or irregular geometric boundaries by using the flexibility and numerical stability of a finite-element method, while employing accurate least-squares optimization. Fourth-order accuracy in space and second-order accuracy in time are derived for a pure advection equation on a uniform mesh; while high stability is implied from a von Neumann linearized stability analysis. Implemented on unstructured mesh through an innovative element-by-element approach, the proposed method …

Royal Society Of Chemistry - Gold-Plated Bacteria, Ravi F. Saraf, Vikas Berry

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: News Releases

No Abstract

Effect Of Interface States On Spin-Dependent Tunneling In Fe/Mgo/Fe Tunnel Junctions, Kirill D. Belashchenko, Julian P. Velev, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: Faculty Publications

The electronic structure and spin-dependent tunneling in epitaxial Fe/MgO/Fe(001) tunnel junctions are studied using first-principles calculations. For small MgO barrier thickness the minority-spin resonant bands at the two interfaces make a significant contribution to the tunneling conductance for the antiparallel magnetization, whereas these bands are, in practice, mismatched by disorder and/or small applied bias for the parallel magnetization. This explains the experimentally observed decrease in tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) for thin MgO barriers. We predict that a monolayer of Ag epitaxially deposited at the interface between Fe and MgO suppresses tunneling through the interface band and may thus be used to …

Nature - Nanotechnology-Live Wire, Ravi F. Saraf, Vikas Berry

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: News Releases

No Abstact.

Engineering@Nebraska - Fall 2005

Engineering@Nebraska (Alumni Magazine)

Table of Contents:

Celebrating 10 Years of Educating Young Minds: After 10 years, Edgerton Explorit Center continues the mission of its namesake—to enlighten curious minds and enhance our understanding of the world.
Helping Hands...and Wrists: Professor gives doctors a helping hand with newly patented IntuiTool™
The Greater Good: Service learning allows students to put their education to work for the good of the community.
Cool Under Fire: Second generation of Scherzbergs carries on the tradition of school and service to country.
The Future of Nebraska Engineering: The college’s new strategic plan looks at ways research can serve federal and state …

Nebraska Blueprint - Fall 2005

Nebraska Blueprint (Student Publication)

Table of Contents:

Letter from the editor by Frank Pribyl
Contributors
Humanoid robotics
Gravity Galore by Celica Orwig
CGI: Computer Generated Imagery
Learn a word: Hologram
UNL mini baja team

Phase Stability Analysis Using Interval Newton Method With Nrtl Model, Hatice Gecegormez, Yaşar Demirel

Papers in Fluid Mechanics

The Gibbs energy minimization using activity coefficient models and nonlinear equation solution techniques are commonly applied for phase stability problems. However, dependence on the initial estimates and multiple solutions for these highly nonlinear equations are common drawbacks for some of the conventional approaches. We have used interval Newton method with the local composition model of NRTL for the phase stability analysis of 10 binary systems and 2 ternary systems at various feed compositions to locate all the stationary points. Results indicate that the interval Newton method is reliable and efficient.

Evaluation Of The Use Of Lithium Compounds In Controlling Alkali-Silica Reactivity In Concrete Pavement, Christopher Y. Tuan, Michael T. Kelly, Mark E. Buss

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.