Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Role Of Nadþ In Regulating Cellular And Metabolic Signaling Pathways, Sara Amjad, Sabah Nisar, Ajaz A. Bhat, Ab Rauf Shah, Michael P. Frenneaux, Khalid Fakhro, Mohammad Haris, Ravinder Reddy, Zoltan Patay, Joseph Baur, Puneet Bagga

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), a critical coenzyme present in every living cell, is involved in a myriad of metabolic processes associated with cellular bioenergetics. For this reason, NAD⁺ is often studied in the context of aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.

Scope of review: Cellular NAD⁺ depletion is associated with compromised adaptive cellular stress responses, impaired neuronal plasticity, impaired DNA repair, and cellular senescence. Increasing evidence has shown the efficacy of boosting NAD⁺ levels using NAD⁺ precursors in various diseases. This review provides a comprehensive understanding into the role of NAD^{+ …}

Historical Contingency In Microbial Resilience To Hydrologic Perturbations, Hyun-Seob Song, James C. Stegen, Emily B. Graham, Timothy D. Scheibe

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Development of reliable biogeochemical models requires a mechanistic consideration of microbial interactions with hydrology. Microbial response to and its recovery after hydrologic perturbations (i.e., resilience) is a critical component to understand in this regard, but generally difficult to predict because the impacts of future events can be dependent on the history of perturbations (i.e., historical contingency). Fundamental issues underlying this phenomenon include how microbial resilience to hydrologic perturbations is influenced by historical contingency and how their relationships vary depending on the characteristics of microbial functions. To answer these questions, we considered a simple microbial community composed of two species that …

Modeling The Release And Spreading Of Permanganate From Aerated Slow-Release Oxidants In A Laboratory Flow Tank, Ann Kambhu, Yusong Li, Troy E. Gilmore, Steve D. Comfort

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Aerated, slow-release oxidants are a relatively new technology for treating contaminated aquifers. A critical need for advancing this technology is developing a reliable method for predicting the radius of influence (ROI) around each drive point. In this work, we report a series of laboratory flow tank experiments and numerical modeling efforts designed to predict the release and spreading of permanganate from aerated oxidant candles (oxidant-wax composites). To mimic the design of the oxidant delivery system used in the field, a double screen was used in a series of flow tank experiments where the oxidant was placed inside the inner screen …

Improving Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (Vawt) Performance With Placement Strategies: Final Report, Patrick A. Tebbe, Nazli A. Yilmaz Wodzinski, Namyong Lee

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department Publications

This project was focused on the use and placement of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). Studies were focused on areas not typically addressed in previous work; small wind at very low elevations (i.e. within the boundary layer). Numerical studies were made of how VAWTs function as well as the potential wind environments they may be placed in. A simplified numerical code, based on two-dimensional potential flow functions, was developed to model flow around buildings and other structures. The code allows a rapid determination of regions where flow may experience speed-up and where turbulence may result.

Experimental facilities were designed and …

2021 Final Butte Reduction Works (Brw) Phase I Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) Revision 3. February 2021, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

A Life Cycle Comparison Of Remote, Deployed Expeditionary Waste Management Scenarios, David J. Chester, Chandrani Mukherjee, Jeremy M. Slagley, Eric Mbonimpa, Thomas Hornstein

Faculty Publications

The current barrier to acquisition and utilization of viable waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies at remote or deployed expeditionary sites requires high capital and operation & maintenance costs. The impacts to environment and human health of differing expeditionary waste management strategies were compared using the Life Cycle Assessment software SimaPro 8.0. Emissions of individual waste management scenarios were compiled from peer-reviewed literature, converted to values compatible with SimaPro’s waste scenario inputs, and the calculated impacts compared using SimaPro’s pre-loaded methodologies. These calculated impacts and the economic impacts confirm that open-air burning of waste is not only dangerous to humans and the environment, …

Modeling The Effectiveness Of Cooling Trenches For Stormwater Temperature Mitigation, Scott A. Wells

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Due to elevated runoff stormwater temperatures from impervious areas, one management strategy to reduce stormwater temperature is the use of underground flow through rock media termed a cooling trench. This paper examines the governing equations for the liquid phase and media phases for modeling the temperature leaving a cooling trench assuming that changes in temperature occurred longitudinally through the cooling trench. This model is dependent on parameters such as the media type, porosity, media initial temperature, inflow rate, and inflow temperature. Several approaches were explored mathematically for evaluating the change in temperature of the water and the cooling trench media. …

Predicting The Effect Of Fly Ash On Concrete’S Mechanical Properties By Ann, Mohammad Mehdi Roshani, Seyed Hamidreza Kargar, Visar Farhangi, Moses Karakouzian

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Fly ash, as a supplemental pozzolanic material, reduces concrete’s adverse environmental footprint by decreasing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) during the cement manufacturing process. Fly ash, which is a waste material, can enhance both the mechanical characteristics and durability of concrete, and has the capability to play an important role in sustainable design. Considering the widespread interest in applying Fly ash, and despite research studies, the level of replacement is still unclear. In this paper, a novel method using artificial neural networks (ANN) is presented to predict concrete’s mechanical …

Covid-19: A Spectio-Temporal Analysis Of Air Quality Status In Coking Coalfields Of India Due To Nationwide Lockdown In India, Amarjeet Singh Mr., Gurdeep Singh Dr.

Journal of Sustainable Mining

A novel infectious corona virus disease (COVID-19) was identified in month of December 2019.It has now been announced as a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization [1]. The COVID-19 pandemic has positive impacts on the environmental pollutants. In present work, Coalfield areas of Jharia Coalfields (JCF), India have been taken as a case study to evaluate the effect of lockdown on air quality at 10 locations. This study had been selected to estimate the reduction in concentration of pollutants like PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NOx during 3 Seasons (summer, Post-Monsoon and winter season) …

New Particle Formation In The Remote Marine Boundary Layer, Guangjie Zheng, Yang Wang, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Marine low clouds play an important role in the climate system, and their properties are sensitive to cloud condensation nuclei concentrations. While new particle formation represents a major source of cloud condensation nuclei globally, the prevailing view is that new particle formation rarely occurs in remote marine boundary layer over open oceans. Here we present evidence of the regular and frequent occurrence of new particle formation in the upper part of remote marine boundary layer following cold front passages. The new particle formation is facilitated by a combination of efficient removal of existing particles by precipitation, cold air temperatures, vertical …

Establish Integrated Crop-Livestock Production To Promote Ammonia Reduction In Livestock Industry, Hongnan Liu, Yulong Yin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of A Novel Inertial Mass System And Comparison To Existing Mass-Rig Systems For Shake Table Experiments, Alvaro Lopez, Peter Dusicka

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Shake table testing is one of the more effective experimental approaches used to study and evaluate seismic performance of structures. Reduced-scale models can still result in large-scale specimens where incorporating the required inertial mass effectively and safely can be challenging. This study proposes a new system of arranging the mass in the experiments that combines the realism of mass participation during earthquake excitation when supported by the shake table with laboratory practicality considerations of the mass positioned off the specimen. The characteristics and dynamic motion equations for the proposed system are described and applied to shake table experiments involving large-scale …

Exposing Nuclear Power Plants, Sophia Austin

Copley Library Undergraduate Research Awards

This paper will begin by outlining the eco-justice topic of nuclear power and its resulting nuclear waste, and then move on to examining and making claims about the justice (distributive, procedural, and recognition-based), evidence, and process behind the development and decommissioning of these plants. Through this, we will discover historical and present ties to racism - especially as we explore the relationship between nuclear power and the white racial frame, resulting in the objectification, oppression, and suppression of the voices of Indigenous communities and people of color throughout history and into the present moment. After addressing and reflecting on many …

An Analysis Of Estimated Costs Versus Actual Costs In Usace Section 14 Emergency Streambank Protection Projects, Hunter Waugaman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works projects are designed to provide national management of water resources. These works use emergency streambank protection to protect public facilities, like bridges and highways. The projects under this authority have limited funding, therefore, many design and field studies are omitted, which increases project uncertainties resulting in cost overruns and contract modifications. This study analyzes previously constructed projects by comparing the independent government estimate with the contractor’s actual costs and identifying the variables causing these differences via statistical analysis. The variables identified are categorized into those elements that affect the accuracy of …

Climate Resilience: Examination Of Revised Heat Transfer Models In The Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model For Pavement Temperature Prediction, Austin Michael Jarrell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is commonly referenced as the state-of-the-practice for the analysis and design of new and rehabilitated pavement assets. The Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model (EICM) incorporated within the MEPDG is a well-recognized and standardized method for estimating temperature profiles in pavements; temperature is a portion of the climate inputs in the MEPDG. Many have already begun to convert atmospheric temperature predictions from externally based climate models into the MEPDG to create robust designs for climate change. As pavement designers and researchers seek robust solutions while formulating resilient pavement designs, it is likely that the EICM …

Moffatt Eddies In Subglacial Mountain Valleys, Emily Martinez

ENGS 88 Honors Thesis (AB Students)

Currently, there is a global emphasis in finding the oldest ice in Antarctica, which will give the longest climate record contained within the ice. This is fundamental in the field of climate science because it will give scientists a proper baseline to compare it to sediment cores amongst other proxy records and work to determine a more accurate account of climate change. The most promising place to find the oldest ice is within the thick, slow-moving East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Within this ice sheet, there is a thick region of ice that sits on a mountain range known as the …

Opportunities In The Irish Reinforced Concrete Industry For Lean And Bim Adoption, Bim Tudublin, Kieran Mcconnell

Capstone Reports

The Irish Reinforced Concrete (RC) sector has yet to realise the full potential of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean construction. The positive impacts and benefits of both BIM and Lean in the wider Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector are widely recognised; many of these are transferable to the RC sector, but there is limited research and knowledge on practical transference, uses and advantages. This research aims to fill some of the existing knowledge gaps by examining BIM and Lean adoption and awareness in the Irish RC sector across sub-sectors, professions, and organisational levels, and by exploring opportunities for increasing …

A Critical Examination Of Visual Programming And Generative Design For The Compliance Checking Of Open Plan Office Layouts Against Hse Guidelines Post Covid-19., Bim Tudublin, Ronan Byrne

Capstone Reports

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of Visual Programming (VP) and Generative Design (GD) in assisting employers review open plan office layouts against Ireland’s HSE guidelines implemented in May 2020 in response to Covid-19. The pandemic has affected all areas of life with workplace standards requiring a complete overhaul. This study will attempt to ascertain compliance with natural ventilation and social distancing requirements through the completion of an experimental research study, utilising Computational Design (CD) tools. A GD study will be undertaken to provide the designer with numerous office layout design solutions to evaluate and evolve. …

To What Extent Can Lean Construction Processes And Principles Be Utilised In The Design Stage Of A Bim Project In The Irish Design And Construction Industry, Bim Tudublin, Barry Sheramn

Capstone Reports

Although different in many ways, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean Construction are two processes that are having a significant impact on the Design & Construction Industry. In recent years, the Irish AECO industry has seen a tenfold increase across numerous construction disciplines with the adoption of new workflows and processes centred around both BIM and Lean methodologies. Existing literature identifies a strong synergistic relationship between the two processes and highlights the opportunity for Lean processes and principles to be implemented into the design stage workflow. This paper investigated existing literature relating to several lean processes currently implemented in the …

Should Acoustic Simulation Technology Be Utilised In Architectural Practice? Does It Have The Potential For Bim Integration?, Bim Tudublin, Keith Harvey

Capstone Reports

The research presented in this paper, firstly, aims to convey the importance of our acoustic environment through focusing on the effects of undesirable acoustic conditions on cognitive abilities in spaces where cognitive performance is of the utmost concern, our learning environments. Secondly, it aims to investigate current state-of-the-art acoustic simulation methods, available platforms, and their levels of interoperability with architectural BIM authoring software. Structured interviews were carried out with 7 Irish architects and architectural technologists to determine if a disconnection between architectural design and acoustic performance exists and to identify the advantages and disadvantages of current workflows for acoustic performance …

Optimisation Of Retrofit Wall Insulation: An Irish Case Study, Rakshit D. Muddu, D M. Gowda, Anthony James Robinson, Aimee Byrne

Articles

Ireland has one of the highest rates of emissions per capita in the world and its residential sector is responsible for approximately 10% of total national CO2 emissions. Therefore, reducing the CO2 emissions in this sector will play a decisive role in achieving EU targets of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030. To better inform decisions regarding retrofit of the existing building stock, this study proposes Optimum Insulation Thicknesses (OIT) for typical walls in 25 regions in Ireland. The calculation of OIT includes annual heat energy expenditure, CO2 emissions, and material payback period. The approach taken is based on Heating …

Computational Modeling For Decision-Making Under Climate Change Uncertainty: Reservoir Simulation Game, Julianne Quinn

All ECSTATIC Materials

Almost every decision you make is under uncertainty. Will I need a rain jacket in the afternoon? Will they say yes if I ask them out? Is 1 hour enough time to finish this assignment? Oftentimes, we can use computational modeling to simulate different scenarios of what might happen in the future to inform what decisions are best on average, or what decisions minimize the worst case outcome. For example, you could decide what player to draft for your Fantasy Football team by simulating player performance. In this activity, we will simulate how much water to release from a dam …

Nebraska Water Center Annual Report 2019-2020

Nebraska Water Center: Administrative Materials

Contents

Introduction: Foreword • Director’s Letter • Nebraska Water Center (NWC) Overview and Timeline • In Memoriam: Kyle Hoagland

Research • Water Sciences Laboratory • Nebraska Vadose Zone Program • Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project • Water for Agriculture Project • Greeley Award • U.S. Geological Survey 104b Projects

Extension & Outreach: NWC Events • Nebraska Nitrate Initiative • Bazile Groundwater Management Area • Water and Integrated Crops Hub • Water Faculty Directory • State Legislative Funding • Water Resources Advisory Panel

Teaching: Know Your Well • Sorab Panday Spotlight • NWC Postdoc Profiles • NWC Student Intern Profiles • …

Evaluating Source Water Quality, Pretreatment, And Particulate Mass Transport In A Nanofiltration Membrane Process, Courtney Powell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This document details the source and occurrence of particulates in a nanofiltration (NF) process, considers the implementation of additional pretreatment to improve feedwater quality, and investigates the impact of submicron particles on membrane performance. Much of this research was performed in cooperation with the City of Boynton Beach (City) at the West Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and stemmed from particulate fouling concerns in the pretreatment and NF membrane processes. The water quality of the individual wells that supply the West WTP was evaluated to identify the source of particulates which overload the pre-filters (5-μm cartridge filters) and may contribute to …

The Effect Of Polyelectrolyte Modification Of Ultrafiltration Membranes On Fouling Resistance And Rejection Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concern, Kunal Olimattel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This research attempted to leverage the unique properties of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) bilayer coatings to enhance antifouling and antimicrobial properties of a commercially available ultrafiltration (UF) membrane as well as the removal of PFOA and PFOS—the two CECs that most frequently represent the class of PFAS. The effects of selected water matrix components (humic acids [HA] and cations) on PFOA and PFOS removals were also investigated when using the functionalized membrane. PAH/PAA films were first deposited on the membrane using a fluidic layer by layer (LbL) technique and then crosslinked, followed by embedding of the silver …

Momentum Towards Incorporating Global Responsibility In Engineering Education And Accreditation In The Uk, Jonathan Truslove, Emma Crichton, Shannon Chance, Katie Cresswell-Maynard

Conference papers

CONTEXT Engineering is uniquely placed to help address global challenges such as those surrounding the climate crisis, and the sustainable use and management of resources. However, studies have found UK engineering companies that have adopted sustainability strategies do not have enough staff with the skills to achieve them. There is an urgent need to upskill the current workforce and prepare future generations to operate in a responsible and ethical manner in tackling today's challenges. Recent updates to the standard of engineering accreditation in the UK provide notable opportunities to transform university curricula to create globally responsible engineers.

PURPOSE This preliminary …

Impact Of Preferential Flow, Source Water Connectivity, And Agricultural Management Practices On Sediment And Particulate Phosphorus Dynamics In Midwestern Tile-Drained Landscapes, Saeid Nazari

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Tile drainage is recognized as a significant transporter of sediment and particulate phosphorus (PP) in the Midwestern U.S., leading to proliferation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Numerous studies have focused on Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) and Nitrogen (N) flux dynamics in tile-drained landscapes; however, the impact of preferential flow and agricultural management practices on fate and transport of sediment and PP has remained poorly understood. The overarching objective of this study was to improve understanding of sediment P delivery in tile-drained landscapes. This dissertation focuses on four studies. In the first study, forms and flow pathway dynamics of total phosphorus …

Evaluation Of Liquid Ice Melting Additives For Winter Maintenance Applications, Erin Lammers-Staats

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Winter weather can often pose difficulties for transportation agencies as they work to clear roads of snow and ice quickly so that motorists can travel safely and efficiently. Kentucky has made efforts to maximize efficiency within its winter maintenance program by focusing on optimized equipment usage and personnel time management. This study’s objective was to evaluate novel anti-icers and calculate how their performance compared to the current performance of brine and calcium chloride mixture. New brine additives claim to offer better results, but there is very little guidance about how to systematically evaluate new anti-icers. The author developed a testing …

Combined Coagulation-Microfiltration Process For Dye Wastewater Treatment, Alexander Ekenatanse Eguagie, Yung-Tse Hung, Howard Hao-Che Paul

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The performance of combined coagulation-microfiltration process for the removal of dyes in a binary mixture of dye wastewater of varied concentrations and fruit drink wastewater at three different strengths; low (10ppm), medium (50ppm) and high (100ppm) was investigated. Synthetic dye wastewater was prepared in the laboratory while fruit drink wastewater was purchased from the grocery store. Color removal efficiency was also investigated for the three coagulants; Ferric Chloride, Aluminum Sulfate and Ferrous Sulfate. Transmittance and Absorbance values were used as indices to measure the efficacy of the combined coagulation- microfiltration process.

Transmittance and absorbance values of 99.8% and 0.001 respectively …

Evaluating Ozone And Granular Activated Carbon Treatment For Control Of Disinfection By-Product Formation For A Central Florida Groundwater Supply, Devon Higgins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

A pilot investigation that compared ozone oxidation with an integrated ozone and granular activated carbon (GAC) process for the control of regulated disinfection by-products at the University of Central Florida's water plant located at the Orlando campus has been completed. Treatment effectiveness was measured by monitoring the parameters pH, temperature, non-purgeable dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at a wavelength of 254 nm (UV254), specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA), excitation emission matrices (EEMs) and the associated formation of the DBP chemical groups total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Groundwater that contained an average of 2.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) DOC …