Engineering Commons^™

Monitoring Tissue Engineering Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Huihui Xu, Shadi F. Othman, Richard L. Magin

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Assessment of tissue regeneration is essential to optimize the stages of tissue engineering (cell proliferation, tissue development and implantation). Optical and X-ray imaging have been used in tissue engineering to provide useful information, but each has limitations: for example, poor depth penetration and radiation damage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) largely overcomes these restrictions, exhibits high resolution (approximately 100 μm) and can be applied both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, MRI has been used in tissue engineering to generate spatial maps of tissue relaxation times (T₁, T₂), water diffusion coefficients, and the stiffness (shear moduli) of …

A Design Aid For Determining Width Of Filter Strips, Michael G. Dosskey, M. J. Helmers, Dean E. Eisenhauer

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Watershed planners need a tool for determining width of filter strips that is accurate enough for developing cost-effective site designs and easy enough to use for making quick determinations on a large number and variety of sites. This study employed the process-based Vegetative Filter Strip Model to evaluate the relationship between filter strip width and trap¬ping efficiency for sediment and water and to produce a design aid for use where specific water quality targets must be met. Model simulations illustrate that relatively narrow filter strips can have high impact in some situations, while in others even a modest impact cannot …

Facilitating Use Of The Odor Footprint Tool By Nebraska Pork Producers, Rick R. Stowell

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The goal of this project was to make Odor Footprint Tool (OFT) resources readily usable by pork producers and their technical advisors as a planning and screening tool when siting swine facilities. Detailed odor footprints for five specified sizes of swine facilities were developed for twenty-four locations throughout Nebraska: six regional sites and three “localized” sites within each region. Each odor footprint shows the predicted odor annoyance-free frequency as a function of the distance from the facility. Footprints developed using localized weather data differed only slightly from footprints produced using weather data from a regional site when the general topography …

Methods To Prioritize Placement Of Riparian Buffers For Improved Water Quality, M. D. Tomer, Michael G. Dosskey, Michael R. Burkart, Matthew J. Helmers, Dean E. Eisenhauer

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Agroforestry buffers in riparian zones can improve stream water quality, provided they intercept and remove contaminants from surface runoff and/or shallow groundwater. Soils, topography, surficial geology, and hydrology determine the capability of forest buffers to intercept and treat these flows. This paper describes two landscape analysis techniques for identifying and mapping locations where agroforestry buffers can effectively improve water quality. One technique employs soil survey information to rank soil map units for how effectively a buffer, when sited on them, would trap sediment from adjacent cropped fields. Results allow soil map units to be compared for relative effectiveness of buffers …

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

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and 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.

Narrow Grass Hedge Effects On Nutrient Transport Following Compost Application, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The placement of stiff‐stemmed grass hedges on the contour along a hillslope has been shown to decrease nutrient transport in runoff. This study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of a narrow grass hedge in reducing runoff nutrient transport from plots with a range of soil nutrient values. Composted beef cattle manure was applied at dry weights of 0, 68, 105, 142, and 178 Mg ha^-1 to a silty clay loam soil and then incorporated by disking. Soil samples were collected 243 days later for analysis of water‐soluble phosphorus (WSP), Bray and Kurtz No. 1 phosphorus (Bray‐1 P), NO …

Artificial Neural Network Estimation Of Soil Erosion And Nutrient Concentrations In Runoff From Land Application Areas, Minyoung Kim, John E. Gilley

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The transport of sediment and nutrients from land application areas is an environmental concern. New methods are needed for estimating soil and nutrient concentrations of runoff from cropland areas on which manure is applied. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) trained with a backpropagation (BP) algorithm were used to estimate soil erosion, dissolved P (DP) and NH₄–N concentrations of runoff from a land application site near Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Simulation results from ANN-derived models showed that the amount of soil eroded is positively correlated with rainfall and runoff. In addition, concentrations of DP and NH₄–N in overland flow …

Implementing Mass Nutrient Balance Procedures On Swine Production Facilities, Richard Koelsch, Alan Sutton

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Whole Farm Nutrient Balance (WFNB) approaches have been used to provide a measure of environmental performance (Aarts et al., 1992; Lanyon and Beegle, 1993; Klausner, 1995). Whole farm balance concepts are used as part of the Netherlands Mineral Accounting System public policy that includes compulsory mineral input and output reports from livestock farms and levies for excess imbalances (Jongbloed and Lenis, 1998). Procedures for measuring WFNB will be followed in measurements made on commercial swine facilities for 2006 and 2007. The conclusions developed based upon data from 13 for 2006 include:

• On average, the participating swine producers import 1.5 units …

Spatial Variations In Nutrient And Microbial Transport From Feedlot Surfaces, John E. Gilley, Elaine D. Berry, Roger A. Eigenberg, David B. Marx, Bryan L. Woodbury

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Nutrient and microbial transport by runoff may vary at different locations within a beef cattle feedlot. If the areas making the largest contributions to nutrient and microbial transport can be identified, it may be possible to institute site‐specific management practices to reduce runoff nutrient and microbial transport. The objectives of this study were to: (1) measure selected feedlot soil properties and nutrient and microbial transport in runoff from various feedlot locations, (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and microbial transport, and (3) …

Preparation And Characterization Of Tapioca Starch-Poly(Lactic Acid)-Cloisite Na+ Nanocomposite Foams, Siew-Yoong Lee, Milford Hanna

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Tapioca starch, poly(lactic acid), and Cloisite NA⁺ nanocomposite foams, with four clay contents (1, 3, 5, 7, wt %), were prepared by melt-intercalation method. Selected structural, thermal, physical, and mechanical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and an Instron universal testing machine, respectively. XRD results indicated that the 1 wt % nanocomposite foam did not show the characteristic basal reflection of the nanoclay. The 3, 5, and 7 wt % nanocomposite foams produced a mixture of intercalated and tactoid structures. The d₀₀₁-spacing of 3, 5, 7 wt % nanocomposite foams …

Rule-Based Mamdani-Type Fuzzy Modeling Of Skin Permeability, Deepak R. Keshwani, David D. Jones, George E. Meyer, Rhonda M. Brand

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Two Mamdani type fuzzy models (three inputs–one output and two inputs–one output) were developed to predict the permeability of compounds through human skin. The models were derived from multiple data sources including laboratory data, published data bases, published statistical models, and expert opinion. The inputs to the model include information about the compound (molecular weight and octonal–H₂O partition coefficient) and the application temperature. One model included all three parameters as inputs and the other model only included information about the compound. The values for mole molecular weight ranged from 30 to 600 Da. The values for the log …

Comparison Of Lipid Extraction Methods Of Food-Grade Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Using Hexane, K. L. Christiansen, Curtis L. Weller, V. L. Schlegel, I. M. Dweikat

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Much has been reported concerning sorghum phytochemicals, such as policosanols, but little literature exists on how various extraction methods might be used to optimize the recovery of such phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to compare three extraction methods for recovery of different sorghum lipids. Lipids were extracted from whole kernel and ground Macia, a food-grade sorghum hybrid, with hexane by a Soxtec method, a refluxing method (RB), and a bench-scale recirculated solvent (RC) method. Comparisons of total lipid yield and lipid class yields extracted from the grain by each method were made. Total lipid yield for the three …

Field Slope Effects On Uniformity Of Corn Seed Spacing For Three Precision Planter Metering Systems, Corey L. Searle, Michael F. Kocher, John A. Smith, Erin E. Blankenship

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The effects of field slope on planter seed spacing uniformity were evaluated for three different seed metering units (cell plate, finger pick‐up, and flat plate) operating with medium round corn seed in a laboratory using the University of Nebraska planter test stand with an opto‐electronic seed spacing sensor system. The metering units included a John Deere MaxEmerge™ Plus VacuMeter row unit with the standard cell corn plate, a John Deere MaxEmerge™ Plus VacuMeter row unit with the flat plate, and a John Deere MaxEmerge™ Plus row unit with the finger pick‐up metering system. Planter seed spacing uniformity was measured using …

Surface Polyethylene Glycol Enhances Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery By Nonspecifically Immobilized Complexes, Angela K. Pannier, Julie A. Wieland, Lonnie D Shea

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Substrate-mediated gene delivery describes the immobilization of gene therapy vectors to a biomaterial, which enhances gene transfer by exposing adhered cells to elevated DNA concentrations within the local microenvironment. Surface chemistry has been shown to affect transfection by nonspecifically immobilized complexes using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold. In this report, SAMs were again used to provide a controlled surface to investigate whether the presence of oligo(ethylene glycol) (EG) groups in a SAM could affect complex morphology and enhance transfection. EG groups were included at percentages that did not affect cell adhesion. Nonspecific complex immobilization to SAMs containing combinations …

Visible/Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging For Beef Tenderness Prediction, Govindarajan Konda Naganathan, Lauren M. Grimes, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris R. Calkins, Ashok Samal, George E. Meyer

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Beef tenderness is an important quality attribute for consumer satisfaction. The current beef quality grading system does not incorporate a direct measure of tenderness because there is currently no accurate, rapid, nondestructive method for predicting tenderness available to the beef industry. The objective of this study was to develop and test a visible/nearinfrared hyperspectral imaging system to predict tenderness of 14-day aged, cooked beef from hyperspectral images of fresh ribeye steaks acquired at 14-day post-mortem. A push-broom hyperspectral imaging system (wavelength range: 400-1000 nm) with a diffuse-flood lighting system was developed and calibrated. Hyperspectral images of beef-steak (n = 111) …

Review Of Career Development In Bioengineering And Biotechnology By Guruprasad Madhavan, Barbara Oakley, And Luis Kun (Editors), Springer Science+Business Media, Llc, 2008, Mark R. Riley

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

As an educator in biological engineering, I am often asked by students about career opportunities in this growing field. The field of biological engineering merges approaches and methodologies from a variety of traditional disciplines, and so practitioners of biological engineering can find professional opportunities in numerous areas.

The recently published book Career Development in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, (485 pages) edited by Madhavan, Oakley, and Kun, represents an ambitious undertaking with the goal of not only presenting career options and career development techniques but also addressing how the work of an individual can impact society. The book contains 71 chapters divided …

Construction, Installation, And Performance Of Two Repacked Weighing Lysimeters, José O. Payero, Suat Irmak

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Weighing lysimeters are the standard method for directly measuring evapotranspiration (ET). This paper discusses the construction, installation, and performance of two (1.52 m × 1.52 m × 2.13-m deep) repacked weighing lysimeters for measuring ET of corn and soybean in West Central Nebraska. The cost of constructing and installing each lysimeter was approximately US $12,500, which could vary depending on the availability and cost of equipment and labor. The resolution of the lysimeters was 0.0001 mV V^-1, which was limited by the data processing and storage resolution of the datalogger. This resolution was equivalent to 0.064 and 0.078 …

System And Method For Analyzing Material Properties Using Hyperspectral Imaging, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris Richard Calkins, Ashok Samal

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Systems and methods are provided for analyzing material properties of an object using hyperspectral imaging. An exemplary method includes obtaining a hyperspectral image of an object; analyzing the hyperspectral image according to an algorithm; and correlating data obtained from the analysis with material properties of the object.

Performance Evaluation Of Aluminum Test Cell Designed For Determining The Heat Resistance Of Bacterial Spores In Foods, H.-J. Chung, Sohan Birla, Juming Tang

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Thermal inactivation kinetic studies are necessary to determine heat resistances of spores in the development of new thermal processes for low-acid shelf-stable products. Most currently available sample holders used in the kinetic studies take long time to reach the target sample temperature, hence fail to provide isothermal condition. In this research, novel aluminum test cells were developed to facilitate easy loading and unloading solid and liquid food samples in a hermetically sealed 1 ml cavity to evaluate the heat resistance of bacterial spores when heated at temperatures above 100 °C. Design of the test cell was governed by minimum come-up …

Narrow Grass Hedge Effects On Nutrient Transport Following Compost Application, John E. Gilley, B. Eghball, David B. Marx

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The placement of stiff‐stemmed grass hedges on the contour along a hillslope has been shown to decrease nutrient transport in runoff. This study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of a narrow grass hedge in reducing runoff nutrient transport from plots with a range of soil nutrient values. Composted beef cattle manure was applied at dry weights of 0, 68, 105, 142, and 178 Mg ha^-1 to a silty clay loam soil and then incorporated by disking. Soil samples were collected 243 days later for analysis of water‐soluble phosphorus (WSP), Bray and Kurtz No. 1 phosphorus (Bray‐1 P), NO …

Variability Analyses Of Alfalfa-Reference To Grass-Reference Evapotranspiration Ratios In Growing And Dormant Seasons, Suat Irmak, Ayse Kilic, T. A. Howell, Derrel Martin, J. O. Payero, K. S. Copeland

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Alfalfa-reference evapotranspiration (ET_r) values sometimes need to be converted to grass-reference ET (ET_o), or vice versa, to enable crop coefficients developed for one reference surface to be used with the other. However, guidelines to make these conversions are lacking. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop ET_r to ET_o ratios (K_r values) for different climatic regions for the growing season and nongrowing (dormant) seasons; and (2) determine the seasonal behavior of K_r values between the locations and in the same location for different seasons. Monthly average K_r values …

Nutrient Transport As Affected By Rate Of Overland Flow, John E. Gilley, W. F. Sabatka, B. Eghball, David B. Marx

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Little information is currently available concerning the effects of varying flow rate on nutrient transport by overland flow. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of overland flow rate on nutrient transport following the application of beef cattle or swine manure to plots containing 0, 2, 4, or 8 Mg ha^-1 of corn residue. After addition of residue materials to 0.75 m wide by 2.0 m long plots, beef cattle or swine manure was added and the plots were then either disked or maintained in a no-till condition. Three 30 min simulated rainfall events, separated by …

Characterization Of Radio Frequency Heating Of Fresh Fruits Influenced By Dielectric Properties, Sohan Birla, S. Wang, Juming Tang, G. Tiwari

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Because of its fast and volumetric nature, radio frequency (RF) heating has been looked upon as a way to overcome the problems associated with conventional heating methods used for disinfestation of fruits. But non-uniform heating within fruits is a major obstacle in adaptation of this technology. In this study, RF heating patterns influenced by dielectric properties (DPs) of fruits were investigated both experimentally and mathematically. A computer simulation model was developed using FEMLAB 3.4, a commercial software for solving Maxwell’s electromagnetic and Fourier’s heat transfer equations. Orange, apple, grapefruit, peach, and avocado fruits, selected for these studies were subjected to …