Biological Engineering Commons^™

Designing Predictive Mathematical Models For The Metabolic Pathways Associated With Polyhydroxybutyrate Synthesis In Escherichia Coli, Angela Dixon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plastics are a versatile and widely used material. However, traditional plastics are derived from petrochemicals and are not biodegradable. Polymers synthesized from microorganisms that have similar properties to plastic are potential biodegradable replacements. The objective of this project is to use mathematical modeling as a tool to engineer a strain of bacteria optimized for the production of bio-plastics.

Production costs can be reduced by using a bacterial strain specifically optimized for bio-plastic production. By reducing production costs, bio-plastics will be able to commercially compete with traditional plastics. Society will benefit as bio-plastics replace traditional plastics. Fossil fuels will not be …

Synchronization And Media Exchange In Large-Scale Caenorhabditis Elegans Cultures, Jason D. Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism for understanding sensory molecules of multicellular organisms. Ovulating hermaphrodites produce putative pheromone(s) that cause male attraction. Because pheromones are produced in such small quantities, adult conditioned-media from large-scale synchronous culture is necessary to analyze these pheromones. Current protocols for culture synchronization have volume constraints that limit large-scale synchronous cultures and current methodology for adult conditioned-media production is impractical.

Modification of Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) systems was investigated for use as a method to increase the volume limits of bleach egg harvest for C. elegans culture synchronization. Also, an adult retention device built …

Short-Term Water Use Dynamics In Drainage Lysimeters, Musa V. Dlamini

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Turfgrass water use (seasonal turfET) and crop coefficients were determined and a mathematical soil-water balance model for non-weighing drainage lysimetcrs, which simulates the occurrence (timing and amount) of drainage, was developed. Pairs of non-weighing drainage lysimeters were used to determine crop coefficients for turfgrass in four locations in the state of Utah: Logan Golf and Country Club, Murray Golf Course, Brigham Young University (Spanish Fork) Experiment Farm, and Sunbrook Golf Course (St. George).

Daily weather data including air temperature, relative humidity, average wind travel, total solar radiation, precipitation, and average soil temperature were collected with an electronic weather station at …

Evapotranspiration Using A Satellite-Based Surface Energy Balance With Standardized Ground Control, Ricardo Trezza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study evaluated the potential of using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) as a means for estimating evapotranspiration (ET) for local and regional scales in Southern Idaho. The original SEBAL model was refined during this study to provide better estimation of ET in agricultural areas and to make more reliable estimates of ET from other surfaces as well, including mountainous terrain. The modified version of SEBAL used in this study, termed as SEBAL_ID (lD stands for Idaho) includes standardization of the two SEBAL "anchor" pixels, the use of a water balance …

Analysis Of Cutthroat Flume Discharge Ratings, Liyan Ren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sixteeen sets of original laboratory data collected by many investigators for various Cutthroat flume sizes are thoroughly reviewed and organized. Best-fit discharge parameters are obtained by performing the free-flow analysis and the submerged-flow analysis. Then, the transition submergence can be calculated. Afterwards, the unified free-flow and submerged-flow discharge parameters are developed for each flume size in order to generalize the calibrations for Cutthroat flumes. This is a very tedious process requiring a trial-and-error approach. Finally, comparisons are made of the measured laboratory discharges with the predicted discharges for both free flow and submerged flow using both the best-fit and the …

Comparison Of Optimization Methodologies For Sustained-Yield Groundwater Pumping Planning In East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Combined simulation and optimization models, which are helpful for long-term groundwater planning of complex nonlinear aquifer systems, are developed using alternative modelling approaches. The models incorporate a representation of steady-state, quasi-three-dimensional head response to pumping within an optimization. An embedding model which describes exactly the nonlinear flow of an unconfined aquifer is presented. In contrast with the embedding models presented in the Utah State University Ground Water Model, it directly achieves the optimal solution without a "cycling." To address the nonlinearity of the flow system, response matrix models couple superposition with the cycling procedure. Their linear influence coefficients are generated …

Effects Of Fertilizers On Cultured Salt Marsh Plants, Ruppia And Chara, Scott Marshall Stenquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima), muskgrass (Chara Sp.), and midge larvae (family Chironomidae) were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions using a solution of Logan tap water, 3000 ppm. sodium chloride, and an algicide-fungicide inhibiter. Soil, vegetation, and invertebrates came from a spring-fed marsh in western Utah. Ammonium sulfate, treble superphosphate, and sewage sludge fertilizers were applied to the plants at 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 300 pounds per acre equivalents of ammonium sulfate; 5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 300 pounds per acre equivalents of treble superphsophate; and 5, 25, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,700, and …

A Study Of Flooded And Rain Infiltration Relations With Surface Ponding, Yehia Z. El-Shafei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The non-linear partial differential equation (combination of Darcy's law and continuity equation) has been used in this investigation to predict the flooded infiltration through soils possessing appreciable amount of clay and initially drier than its field capacity. One of the most important assumptions made in solving the differential equation is that the capillary conductivity-moisture content relationship is unique for each initial moisture content computation due to the different reaction of clay minerals with different initial moisture contents.

Mathematical equations were also derived to predict:

1. The rate of the wetting front advance, prior to the occurrence of surface ponding, taking into …

A Study Of Evaporation And Evapotranspiration In Peru, Fernando Chanduvi-Acuña

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-four equations for estimating evaporation and/or evapotranspiration were compared with measured Piche evaporation. At least 1728 months of records from 12 Peruvian stations were analyzed in this study.

Computer programs were developed to work this study and the results were compared by plotting.

It has been found that the equation that best fits the Piche evaporation in the low elevation stations in Peru is Christiansen's formula (ET2) which was used as a base for his formula for Class A pan evaporation (EVC).

Study Of Sheltered Evaporation In Colombia, Guillermo Pardo-Bonilla

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Equations, tables, and graphs for estimating evaporation from sheltered evaporimeters were developed, based on data from 20 stations in Colombia.

Computer programs and plottings were the basic tools to work out the equations. The form of the simplified final equation is

Ev = kC_VPDC_T

in which

• Ev is the evaporation in millimeters per day
• K is a constant
• C_VPD is the vapor pressure deficit coefficient
• C_T is the temperature coefficient

Statistical parameters were determined to compare the measured evaporation with the Christiansen-Guillen formula and the newly developed formulas.

Evaporation And Evapotransipration In Venezuela, Hidalgo Guillén Echeverría

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Equations and tables for estimating Fuess evaporation from climatological data were developed. Ten years of average records from 22 stations in Venezuela were analyzed in order to develop the equations.

Mathematical regression analysis, and plotting and computer programs were used to work out the equations. The form of the final expression for estimating Fuess evaporation is as follows:
Ev = K C_RC_TC_WC_HC_DTC_SC_M
Pan evaporation was computed using the Christiansen, Mathison, Blaney-Criddle, Hargreaves, Penman, and Kohler formulas. The computed pan evaporation from these formulas, measured Fuess evaporation, and …

Development Of A Drainage Function For The Transient Case, And A Two-Dimensional Ground-Water Mound Study To Evaluate Aquifer Parameters, Seid Abdollah Jenab

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A drainage function, D (u_n), is developed to describe the rate of fall and the shape of the water table between drains for an infinite series of parallel drains. The drainage function is evaluated and presented graphically for design purposes. The solution of the drainage function is compared with the solution of Glover's transient state drainage equation. The two equations agreed very well, but the agreement was not as good for very high values of √(4αt)/ L.

The drainage function, D (u_n ), was solved for the point midway between drains and the solution was presented graphically …

Estimation Of Pan Evaporation And Potential Evapotranspiration Of Rice In The Central Plain Of Thailand By Using Various Formulas Based On Climatological Data, Paitoon Palayasoot

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water has become one of major national concerns, and it is the limiting factor in the expansion of an irrigated agriculture. Irrigation development is rapidly growing all over the world. New lands are being brought under irrigation and older irrigation lands are being improved. In the planning and operation of an irrigation project, the estimation of water requirements and evapotranspiration, or consumptive use, requires careful consideration. A knowledge of evapotranspiration is playing an increasingly important part in irrigation science. It is the best index of water requirements which represent the amount of water that should be applied by irrigation for …

A Study Of Sprinkler Uniformity Evaluation Methods, Baha Dabbous

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of water in homes, on farms, by factories, and for recreational purposes has been increasing rapidly. Water use has doubled in the last three decades. By 1980, water use is expected to be double the current use. In arid and semi-arid regions, the practice of successful profit-yielding agriculture often depends on irrigation. Irrigation is, in turn, dependent upon a water supply which is limited. The highest possible efficiency should be maintained if maximum utilization of the available water resources for irrigation is desired. Sprinkler irrigation allows, among other things, high water application efficiencies with good distribution uniformities.

Drainage Of Land Overlying An Artesian Aquifer: Logan-Cache Airport, John Paul Riley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Drainage problem Logan-Cache Airport is situated approximately 4 miles northwest of Logan, Utah, in sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, Township 12 north, Range 1 east, of Salt Lake Base and Meridian. The area of approximately 200 acres is a part of what is known as cache County Drainage District No.2. This district in itself contains more than 8,400 acres of waterlogged lands. Drainage of the se lands has, for many years, been a baffling and unsolved problem, complicated by 3 factors: (a) The whole of the valley in this area is underlain by an artesian ground-water reservoir. (b) The …

Canal Seepage Loss Investigations In The Lewiston Area, Utah, Robert V. Thurmond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With population, industry, and irrigation ever increasing in the arid west, there arises new and greater demands for water. Much of the water now urgently needed is lost as seepage from the many miles of canals in the western states.

Rohwer and Stout (18) have estimated that in the western states from one-third to one-half of the water diverted for irrigation is lost before it reaches the farmers' fields. Of these losses, seepage probably accounts for the greatest loss. It is reported by the Bureau of Reclamation (14) that, of the 14,600,000 acre feet of water diverted on 36 projects …

Irrigation Expansion On The Sevier River, Utah, With Special Reference To The Piute Project, O. W. Monson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

On January 16, 1908, the State Board of Land Commissioners, on behalf of the State of Utah, undertook to build a reclamation project in the Sevier River Valley, intended to reclaim between 25,000 to 35,000 acres of the virgin lands lying on the west side of Sevier River in Sevier and San Pete Counties. From January, 1908 to January, 1914, the State expended nearly $1,000,000 for the construction of the reservior dm and the canal leading from it. Since that time nearly $200,000 has been spent for supplementary construction. This money was supplied by the State Reservior Land Grant Fund, …