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University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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Articles 211 - 240 of 455

Full-Text Articles in Biological Engineering

Updated Asabe Standard Manure Excretion Standard, Richard K. Koelsch Apr 2006

Updated Asabe Standard Manure Excretion Standard, Richard K. Koelsch

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

This newsletter introduces the new ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) Standard D384.2, Manure Production and Characteristics. This new standard provides an equation-based approach that integrates animal feeding program and performance into the final estimate of total solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus excretion for seven livestock and poultry species. This article reviews the opportunity this standard provides for improving accuracy of farm-specific nutrient management planning and introduces an educational opportunity for users to be introduced to new software for using the standard.

I propose to conduct one or more workshops on the standard and supporting software tool in June. …

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Vegetative Treatment Systems For Management Of Open Lot Runoff: Review Of Literature, Richard K. Koelsch, Jeffrey C. Lorimer, Kyle R. Mankin Jan 2006

Vegetative Treatment Systems For Management Of Open Lot Runoff: Review Of Literature, Richard K. Koelsch, Jeffrey C. Lorimer, Kyle R. Mankin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Runoff from open lot livestock systems (beef and dairy) defined as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) must be controlled by systems designed and managed to prevent the release of manure-contaminated runoff for storms equal to or less than a 25-yr, 24-h design storm. This performance standard has been attained for open lot systems with some combination of clean water diversion, settling basins, runoff collection ponds, and irrigation systems (baseline system).

An alternative approach is to rely on overland flow and infiltration into cropland with perennial forage or grasses for treatment of open lot runoff. Such vegetative systems have been researched …

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Postharvest Treatment To Control Codling Moth In Fresh Apples Using Water Assisted Radio Frequency Heating, Shaojin Wang, Sohan Birla, J. D. Hansen Jan 2006

Postharvest Treatment To Control Codling Moth In Fresh Apples Using Water Assisted Radio Frequency Heating, Shaojin Wang, Sohan Birla, J. D. Hansen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Apples destined for export to Japan and South Korea are currently disinfested for codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), using methyl bromide fumigation. Restrictions and limitations imposed on the uses of methyl bromide have increased interest in developing alternative non-chemical quarantine treatments. It is imperative that the treatment is effective against codling moth yet maintains the quality of treated apples. The present study explored the application of radio frequency (RF) energy in conjunction with conventional hot water treatment to develop feasible heat treatments. Treatment parameters were selected based on minimum time–temperature conditions required for 100% mortality of fifth-instar codling …

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Circular Ultrasound Compounding By Designed Matrix Weighting, Gregory Bashford, Jonathan Morse Jan 2006

Circular Ultrasound Compounding By Designed Matrix Weighting, Gregory Bashford, Jonathan Morse

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Spatial compounding is an imaging technique that aims to improve image contrast by combining partially decorrelated images acquired at different angles or positions. In conventional spatial compounding, data sets are combined with equal weighting. Here, we describe an alternative method of reconstruction using algorithms which weight the data based on a “quality” matrix. The quality matrix is derived from beam-forming characteristics. For each data set, the reliability of the data is assumed to vary spatially. By compounding the data based on the quality matrix, a complete image is formed. Here, we describe the construction of a rotational translation stage and …

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Variable Upper And Lower Crop Water Stress Index Baselines For Corn And Soybean, J. O. Payero, Suat Irmak Jan 2006

Variable Upper And Lower Crop Water Stress Index Baselines For Corn And Soybean, J. O. Payero, Suat Irmak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Upper and lower crop water stress index (CWSI) baselines adaptable to different environments and times of day are needed to facilitate irrigation scheduling with infrared thermometers. The objective of this study was to develop dynamic upper and lower CWSI baselines for corn and soybean. Ten-minute averages of canopy temperatures from corn and soybean plots at four levels of soil water depletion were measured at North Platte, Nebraska, during the 2004 growing season. Other variables such as solar radiation (Rs), air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (u), and plant canopy height (h) were …

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Use Of Time Domain Reflectometry For Continuous Monitoring Of Nitrate-Nitrogen In Soil And Water, J. O. Payero, David D. Tarkalson, Suat Irmak Jan 2006

Use Of Time Domain Reflectometry For Continuous Monitoring Of Nitrate-Nitrogen In Soil And Water, J. O. Payero, David D. Tarkalson, Suat Irmak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N) losses to ground and surface water are an environmental and agronomic concern in modern crop production systems in the Central Great Plains. Monitoring techniques for nitrogen use in agricultural production are needed to increase crop yield, optimize nitrogen use, and reduce NO3-N leaching. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) could potentially be calibrated to continuously measure NO3-N in soil and water. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the effect of different factors affecting the response of the bulk electrical conductivity (ECb) sensed by TDR, (2) compare the sensitivity and differences between …

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Land Application Of Manure For Beneficial Reuse, L. M. Risse, M. L. Cabrera, A. J. Franzluebbers, J. W. Gaskin, John E. Gilley, R. Killorn, D. E. Radcliffe, W. E. Tollner, H. Zhang Jan 2006

Land Application Of Manure For Beneficial Reuse, L. M. Risse, M. L. Cabrera, A. J. Franzluebbers, J. W. Gaskin, John E. Gilley, R. Killorn, D. E. Radcliffe, W. E. Tollner, H. Zhang

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The concentration of animal production systems has increased efficiency and improved overall economic return for animal producers. This concentration, along with the advent of commercial fertilizers, has led to a change in the way animal producers view manure. Manure, once valued as a resource by farmers, is now treated as a waste. Air and water quality concerns that arise primarily from the under-utilization or inefficient use of manure contribute to these changing views. However, when properly used, manure is a resource and should be regulated as such. In the United States, the USDA/EPA Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations …

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Properties Of Chitosan Films As A Function Of Ph And Solvent Type, Ki Myong Kim, Jeong Hwa Son, Sung-Koo Kim, Curtis L. Weller, Milford Hanna Jan 2006

Properties Of Chitosan Films As A Function Of Ph And Solvent Type, Ki Myong Kim, Jeong Hwa Son, Sung-Koo Kim, Curtis L. Weller, Milford Hanna

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Two different deacetylated chitosans were dissolved in formic, acetic, lactic, or propionic acid to prepare chitosan films. The pH values of the film-forming solutions were adjusted to 3, 4, and 5. Water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), elongation (E), and total soluble matter (TSM) were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by acid type, pH, and degree of deacetylation (DA). Low DA (LDA) chitosan films had lower WVP and TSM, higher TS compared with high DA (HDA) chitosan films. The E values were not affected by DA. As pH increased, WVP and TSM of chitosan films tended to increase while TS decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Chitosan films with acetic and propionic acid solvents had low WVP and TSM and high TS, while films with lactic acid solvent had high E and TSM and the lowest TS. Fourier-transform infrared showed peak shifting in the spectra with different solvents and at different pH values. Chitosan films with lactic acid solvent showed a peak shift to a lower frequency range. The NH3+ band was absent in the pH 5.0 chitosan film spectra.

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Modeling Of Transport Phenomena And Melting Kinetics Of Starch In A Co-Rotating Twin-Screw Extruder, Lijun Wang, David D. Jones, Curtis L. Weller, Milford Hanna Jan 2006

Modeling Of Transport Phenomena And Melting Kinetics Of Starch In A Co-Rotating Twin-Screw Extruder, Lijun Wang, David D. Jones, Curtis L. Weller, Milford Hanna

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A mathematical model was developed to simulate fluid flow, heat transfer, and melting kinetics of starch in a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder (TSE). The partial differential equations governing the transport phenomena of the biomaterial in the extruder were solved by a finite element scheme. For validating the model, the predicted product pressure, bulk temperature at the entrance of the die, and minimum residence time of the biomaterial in the extruder were compared with experimental data. Standard errors of product pressure, bulk temperature at the die entrance, and minimum residence time were about 8.8, 2.8, and 17.3%. Simulations were carried out …

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Impact Of Tillage And Placement Of Terbufos Insecticide Runoff, Mitiku Mamo, William L. Kranz, Elaine R. Douskey, Shripat T. Kamble, John F. Witkowski Jan 2006

Impact Of Tillage And Placement Of Terbufos Insecticide Runoff, Mitiku Mamo, William L. Kranz, Elaine R. Douskey, Shripat T. Kamble, John F. Witkowski

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

On a national scale, the damage caused by corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte), can cause economic loss of up to $650 million annually. To limit these losses, corn producers apply terbufos insecticide to approximately 11% of all corn acres at a time when there is a high probability of intense precipitation. When combined with low vegetative cover and disturbed soil surfaces, there is a high potential for terbufos transport into surface water bodies. Increased public concern for environmental contamination from the use of agricultural chemicals has prompted many crop growers to look for crop production practices that minimize …

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A Mathematical Model For The Validation Of Safe Air-Blast Chilling Of Cooked Hams, L. J. Wang, A Amézquita, Curtis L. Weller Jan 2006

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 …

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Manure Use Planning Tools For Nebraska, Charles S. Wortmann, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard K. Koelsch, Richard Deloughery Nov 2005

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 …

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Are We Addressing The Cause Of Nutrient Problems?, Richard K. Koelsch Nov 2005

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

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Engineering Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery With Self-Assembled Monolayers, Angela K. Pannier, Lonnie D Shea Nov 2005

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 …

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Where’S The Poop? Environmental Challenges For Large And Small Animal Feeding Operations, Richard K. Koelsch, John Lawrence Oct 2005

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

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Microbial Quality Of Runoff Following Land Application Of Cattle Manure And Swine Slurry, Jeanette A. Thurston-Enriquez, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball Sep 2005

Microbial Quality Of Runoff Following Land Application Of Cattle Manure And Swine Slurry, Jeanette A. Thurston-Enriquez, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Concentrations of human health-related microorganisms in runoff from agricultural plots (0.75m x 2m) treated with fresh and aged cattle manure, swine slurry and no manure (control) were determined. Three consecutive simulated rainfall events, producing 35 mm rainfall and separated by 24 h, were carried out for each plot. Fecal indicator (Escherichia coli, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and coliphage) loads released in rainfall runoff from plots treated with fresh cattle manure, aged cattle manure and swine slurry treatments ranged from 5.52 x 105 to 4.36 x 109, 3.92 x 104 to 4.86 x 108, and 9.63 …

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Substrate-Mediated Delivery From Self-Assembled Monolayers: Effect Of Surface Ionization, Hydrophilicity, And Patterning, Angela K. Pannier, Brian C. Anderson, Lonnie D Shea Sep 2005

Substrate-Mediated Delivery From Self-Assembled Monolayers: Effect Of Surface Ionization, Hydrophilicity, And Patterning, Angela K. Pannier, Brian C. Anderson, Lonnie D Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Gene transfer has many potential applications in basic and applied sciences. In vitro, DNA delivery can be enhanced by increasing the concentration of DNA in the cellular microenvironment through immobilization of DNA to a substrate that supports cell adhesion. Substrate-mediated delivery describes the immobilization of DNA, complexed with cationic lipids or polymers, to a biomaterial or substrate. As surface properties are critical to the efficiency of the surface delivery approach, selfassembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold were used to correlate surface chemistry of the substrate to binding, release, and transfection of non-specifically immobilized complexes. Surface hydrophobicity and ionization were …

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Manure Use Planning: An Evaluation Of A Producer Training Program, Charles S. Wortmann, Richard K. Koelsch, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard L. Deloughery, David D. Tarkalson Aug 2005

Manure Use Planning: An Evaluation Of A Producer Training Program, Charles S. Wortmann, Richard K. Koelsch, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard L. Deloughery, David D. Tarkalson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A training program for producers in manure use planning was evaluated. The potential for runoff nutrient loss to surface water can reduced and the value of manure increased through better planning of manure use. Training was conducted throughout Nebraska in 2002 and 2003. Livestock producers who attended evaluated the event at the end of the last class. The need for and impact of the training was greater for continuing operational and maintenance skills of manure utilization that are regularly needed for strategic planning skills. We recommend that training focus primarily on operational and maintenance skills.

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Integrating Animal Feeding Strategies Into Cnmp Processes: Role Of Updated Asae Standard D384.2, Richard K. Koelsch, W. Powers, A. L. Sutton Jul 2005

Integrating Animal Feeding Strategies Into Cnmp Processes: Role Of Updated Asae Standard D384.2, Richard K. Koelsch, W. Powers, A. L. Sutton

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

This paper introduces the new ASAE Standard D384.2, Manure Production and Characteristics. This new standard provides an equation-based approach that integrates dry matter and nutrient intake as well as animal performance into the final estimate of total solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus excretion for seven livestock and poultry species. The manure excretion estimates of the new standard are compared with the past ASAE standard as well as other commonly used reference values for three specie groups. Significant differences in excretion are common with the new standard compared to past standards. The paper also details examples of how common industry variations in …

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Managing Phosphorus In Beef Feeding Operations, William F. Kissinger, Richard K. Koelsch, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein Jul 2005

Managing Phosphorus In Beef Feeding Operations, William F. Kissinger, Richard K. Koelsch, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

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

A commercial feedlot study was conducted to determine manure nutrient flow in six feedlots representing 6,366 cattle. On average, cattle involved in this summary were yearlings (BW = 353 kg) and gained 183 kg over 123 d. It was calculated that 11.5% of the feed nitrogen and 16.9% of the feed phosphorus was retained by the animal with the remaining nutrients excreted. On average, 25.6 kg of N and 4.1 kg of P (DM basis) were excreted per fed beef animal. On average, 887 kg total manure (solids and water) were removed per finished animal (7.2 kg/animal/d) averaging 73% total …

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A New Application For Fine Ground Rubber In The Control Of Odors From Livestock Manure Storage Structures, Lakshmi Koppolu, Richard K. Koelsch, Dennis D. Schulte, Crystal Powers, Dwaine Bundy Jul 2005

A New Application For Fine Ground Rubber In The Control Of Odors From Livestock Manure Storage Structures, Lakshmi Koppolu, Richard K. Koelsch, Dennis D. Schulte, Crystal Powers, Dwaine Bundy

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

The purpose of this project was to quantify the odor and gas emission benefits of a fine ground rubber cover on laboratory scale manure storage units and to evaluate the ability of a fine ground rubber cover applied to a commercial swine manure storage unit to remain intact and functional over an extended period of time. A three-inch cover of fine ground rubber reduced odors by 77 to 99 percent from the manure storage tanks over a six-week period. However, consistent reductions of NH3 emissions were not observed and H2S emissions from all manure storage treatments were …

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Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery For Assessment Of Signal Transduction Pathways In Cancer Cells, Angela K. Pannier, Zain Bengali, Eric A. Ariazi, V. Craig Jordan, Lonnie D Shea Jun 2005

Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery For Assessment Of Signal Transduction Pathways In Cancer Cells, Angela K. Pannier, Zain Bengali, Eric A. Ariazi, V. Craig Jordan, Lonnie D Shea

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

Gene delivery has the potential to be used in diagnostic applications, specifically to investigate cellular signal transduction pathways responsible for disease. Analysis of multiple pathways or genes in a parallel format can be achieved using a transfected cell array, a high throughput approach to correlate gene expression with functional cell responses, based on gene delivery from a substrate that supports cell adhesion. Substrate-mediated gene delivery functions by self-assembling DNA with nonviral vectors, resulting in positively charged complexes that can interact with a biomaterial or substrate. Cells cultured on the substrate are exposed to elevated DNA concentrations within the local microenvironment, …

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Applications Of Using The Odor Footprint Tool, Richard R. Stowell, L. Koppolu, Dennis D. Schulte, Richard K. Koelsch May 2005

Applications Of Using The Odor Footprint Tool, Richard R. Stowell, L. Koppolu, Dennis D. Schulte, Richard K. Koelsch

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

The Odor Footprint Tool is a science-based computer resource for use in evaluating the potential odor impact of new and expanded animal production facilities. It was developed to assist livestock producers, their service providers, and county planning and zoning officials in making reasonable decisions while limiting the negative impact of livestock operations on surrounding neighbors and rural communities. The Odor Footprint Tool utilizes an EPA regulatory model (AERMOD), weather databases, new source code, and user input to generate regional odor roses, odor footprints, and directional setback distance curves. Odor roses provide a generic picture of the directionality of …

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Using Ems’S To Improve Compliance On Livestock And Poultry Operations, L. Mark Risse, Richard K. Koelsch, Bill Bland, Elizabeth A. Bird, Thomas M. Bass May 2005

Using Ems’S To Improve Compliance On Livestock And Poultry Operations, L. Mark Risse, Richard K. Koelsch, Bill Bland, Elizabeth A. Bird, Thomas M. Bass

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

Across the United States and abroad, innovative producers, processors, trade organizations and others in the agricultural sector are exploring the promise of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to improve their environmental and business performance. An Environmental Management System or EMS helps farmers develop their own, personal strategies for reducing environmental risk on their operations by integrating environmental management considerations into production management decisions. It is a voluntary, flexible approach and is based on a producer's own sense of how best to manage an operation.

Partnerships for Livestock Environmental Management Systems is a 4-year project to explore the potential of livestock Environmental …

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Gene Delivery Through Cell Culture Substrate Adsorbed Dna Complexes, Zain Bengali, Angela K. Pannier, Tatiana Segura, Brian C. Anderson, Jae-Hyung Jang, Thomas D. Mustoe, Lonnie D Shea May 2005

Gene Delivery Through Cell Culture Substrate Adsorbed Dna Complexes, Zain Bengali, Angela K. Pannier, Tatiana Segura, Brian C. Anderson, Jae-Hyung Jang, Thomas D. Mustoe, Lonnie D Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Efficient gene delivery is a fundamental goal of biotechnology and has numerous applications in both basic and applied science. Substrate-mediated delivery and reverse transfection enhance gene transfer by increasing the concentration of DNA in the cellular microenvironment through immobilizing a plasmid to a cell culture substrate prior to cell seeding. In this report, we examine gene delivery of plasmids that were complexed with cationic polymers (polyplexes) or lipids (lipoplexes) and subsequently immobilized to cell culture or biomaterial substrates by adsorption. Polyplexes and lipoplexes were adsorbed to either tissue culture polystyrene or serum-adsorbed tissue culture polystyrene. The quantity of DNA immobilized …

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Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Issue 1, April 2005 Apr 2005

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Issue 1, April 2005

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
Welcome: Comments from Department Head
New Lab in BSE
Dr. Martin Serves as BSE Interim Head
Splinter Labs
New Department Head
Hello-Goodbye
Faculty and Staff News
Cliff Hunter Memorial Picnic
Student News
Quarter-scale Tractor Team
Freshmen Eat Cars
Scholarship Recognition
Annual Spring Recognition Banquet
New Graduates
Generous Gifts to Endowments in BSE

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Using Ems’S To Improve Compliance On Livestock And Poultry Operations, L. Mark Risse, Richard K. Koelsch, W. L. Bland, Elizabeth A. Bird, Thomas M. Bass Jan 2005

Using Ems’S To Improve Compliance On Livestock And Poultry Operations, L. Mark Risse, Richard K. Koelsch, W. L. Bland, Elizabeth A. Bird, Thomas M. Bass

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

Across the United States and abroad, innovative producers, processors, trade organizations and others in the agricultural sector are exploring the promise of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to improve their environmental and business performance. An Environmental Management System or EMS helps farmers develop their own, personal strategies for reducing environmental risk on their operations by integrating environmental management considerations into production management decisions. It is a voluntary, flexible approach and is based on a producer's own sense of how best to manage an operation.

Partnerships for Livestock Environmental Management Systems is a 4-year project to explore the potential of livestock Environmental …

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Applying Alternative Technologies To Cafos: A Case Study, Richard K. Koelsch, Carol Balvanz, John George, Dan Meyer, John A. Nienaber, Gene Tinker Jan 2005

Applying Alternative Technologies To Cafos: A Case Study, Richard K. Koelsch, Carol Balvanz, John George, Dan Meyer, John A. Nienaber, Gene Tinker

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

The US EPA National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit program has regulated open lot livestock production systems since the 1970’s, historically requiring collection, storage, and land application of runoff. Under the new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations, the effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) offer the option of Voluntary Alternative Performance Standards for beef and dairy. This potentially allows runoff management options such as vegetative treatment systems (VTS) that may perform equal to or better than our baseline system while maintaining a challenging standard for application of alternative technologies.

To facilitate application of VTS, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and Iowa …

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Evaluating Livestock System Environmental Performance With Whole-Farm Nutrient Balance, Richard K. Koelsch Jan 2005

Evaluating Livestock System Environmental Performance With Whole-Farm Nutrient Balance, Richard K. Koelsch

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

As a part of the USEPA’s concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) final rule, all CAFOs are required to develop and implement a nutrient management plan (NMP). The USEPA’s emphasis on better management of nutrients appropriately targets a critical environmental issue associated with animal production. The concentration of animals in livestock feeding operations, often separate from feed grain production, requires importing of substantial quantities of feed nutrients. Due to the inefficiencies of nutrient utilization in livestock production, quantities of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in manure greater than can be utilized in local crop production often result. With the focus of …

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Improvement Of Tractor Performance, K. U. Kim, Leonard L. Bashford, Brent T. Sampson Jan 2005

Improvement Of Tractor Performance, K. U. Kim, Leonard L. Bashford, Brent T. Sampson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Improvement of agricultural tractor performance was analyzed using the data from 926 diesel tractors tested at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory from 1959 through 2002. The performance analysis included the specific volumetric fuel consumption, power per unit weight, traction coefficient, maximum torque rise, and sound level. They were evaluated based on the PTO power level and chassis type of tractor. Some of the results are: (1) The average specific volumetric fuel consumptions for the maximum PTO and drawbar powers increased by 20.5% and 23.4% to 3.47 kW•h/L and 3.01 kW•h/L, respectively, from 1959 through 2002. (2) The average maximum PTO …

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