ABSTRACT Sustainable and renewable biofuels as well as coastal preservation are important to the State of Louisiana which is losing its coastline at the rate of up to 100 square kilometers per year. This has important implications for other coastal areas worldwide. By managing water hyacinth in canals and lakes in coastal Louisiana the biomass of this fast growing aquatic plant can reduce coastal erosion by absorbing wave energy, and remediate waste water through bioabsorption of contaminants, while also providing a source of biofuel. This research has shown that coastal vegetation can play a part in lessening the impact of storms by reducing wave energy up to14%. Floating booms can hold water hyacinth in place along coastal canals so that it can be contained for growth and harvesting while providing this protection. Under average growing conditions in Louisiana, water hyacinth produced 2.4 to 2.6 metric tons of hydrated biomass per hectare per day. In addition this research found that this plant has a fermentable glucose and xylose content in excess of 48% by dry weight which is suitable for bioethanol production. Its rapid growth rate combined with its fermentable sugar concentration makes water hyacinth a viable candidate for use as a source of biofuel and for coastal preservation. Engineered barges fitted with loading mechanisms and harvesting systems were designed to contain and harvest water hyacinth in Louisianas coastal canals and to produce biofuel from harvested water hyacinth. Harvesting and growth site accessibility and design for transportation and proximity to coastal ethanol production facilities was integral to the design. Carbon neutral fuels are an important consideration related to environmental sustainability concerns. As the State of Louisiana is losing coastal wetlands the combination of erosion control with biofuel production will be a great benefit to the state and other coastal areas of the world.

Early diagnosis and treatment of an infection and the selectivity of the treatment method are three parameters, which if optimized will greatly enhance a patients prognosis. Thus these three components have been, and continue to be extensively studied. Advances in biosynthesis and nanofabriciation have provided researchers with new tools with which to improve diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Of these, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great promise. Metallic nanoparticles have been demonstrated to successfully serve as antimicrobials, platforms for the transportation of therapeutic molecules, CT and MRI contrast agents, and thermal ablation. The recent paradigm of theranostics proposes substances that serve both diagnostic as well as therapeutic functions. Metallic nanoparticles are well suited as substrates for multifunctional particles for several reasons including; offering high-density surface ligand conjugation, a reduction in payload degradation, a method of target transfection, and the possibility of controlled release. Additionally, metallic nanoparticles have the benefits of tunable morphologies, large surface area-to-volume ratios, physiologically robust chemistries, and ease of bulk synthesis. Furthermore, functional ligands bound to the NP surface and provide additional functionality such as enhanced solubility, selectivity, and antimicrobial efficacy. This report includes two studies which explore the synthesis and functionality of a theranostic conjugate nanoparticle. Studies were conducted to assess the development of a diagnostic antimicrobial nanoparticle (DAN) comprised of an iron oxide MRI contrast core, an antimicrobial colloidal silver shell, and a selective antimicrobial ceragenin surfactant (CSA-124). The composition of each component of the DAN has been characterized and its functionality evaluated. Preliminary data has suggested that such a theranostic nanoparticle can successfully be synthesized and its ability as an MRI contrast agent and antimicrobial shows great promise.

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Rice bran is often discarded despite its nutritional value because the oil in rice bran easily becomes rancid. This has necessitated the search for a method for utilizing the rice bran. The present study involves the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and bioprocessing (microbial growth on rice bran media) for increasing the value of the rice bran to produce products of high value (nutraceuticals) with superior health benefit. This study was focused on determining the effect of particle size (>48 mesh and 16-48 mesh) and biotreatment on the yield and quality of rice bran oil. SFE technique (40°C, 4000 psi, 200 standard cm³ per min) was applied for extracting oil from raw and bioconverted rice bran and kinetic data was collected. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis was accomplished with gas chromatography to determine fatty acid distribution in the raw and bioconverted rice bran. Statistical analysis was done to determine the effect of the parameters (particle size, biotreatment and time) on the oil yield and (FAME) composition. The results show SFE yielded 51.5% of the total ether extractable oil in 2 hours from small particle size rice bran. FAME analysis showed that Eicosapentaenoic acid, (1.8 FAME wt %) and Arachidonic acid (0.67 FAME wt %) produced during the biotreatment was extracted by SFE. The statistical analysis indicated oil yield was a function of particle size for SFE (p =0.0013), but not for Soxhlet extraction.

This study examined the magnitude of release of fecal coliform indicator bacteria in surface runoff from pasture amended with dairy manure. The experiment was conducted at Southeast Research Station in Franklinton, Louisiana between March and June, 2001. The experiment was designed to compare the effects of two methods of manure application on fecal coliform release. Manure application simulating natural deposition by cattle (Treatment A) was compared to that of land application of manure as fertilizer (Treatment B). Application of inorganic fertilizer was used as the control. Each Treatment was applied to three field plots. Simulated rainfalls were conducted on plots within hours of initial manure application and approximately 2, 7 and 14 days following initial manure application. This sequence of manure application and subsequent rainfall events was repeated three times. Runoff samples were analyzed for fecal coliform analyses using Membrane Filtration (APHA, 1995). Also, the IDEXX Quanti-Tray-Colilert total coliform method was experimentally modified to determine its validity for enumerating fecal coliforms. Fecal coliform results indicated that Treatment B had significantly higher fecal coliforms in runoff than Treatment A. Fecal coliforms in runoff from manure-amended plots were well above the 200 CFU/100 ml recreational water use standard, with typical counts ranging from 1,000 to 1,000,000 CFU/100 ml for Treatment A and 10,000 to 10,000,000 CFU/100 ml for Treatment B. Fecal coliform concentrations in the runoff from the second or third rainfall event were often higher than those from the initial rainfall after manure application. Both manure Treatments had significantly higher fecal coliforms in runoff than the control. Typical counts from the control plots ranged from 10 to 1,000 CFU/100 ml. The modified Quanti-Tray method produced results that were significantly correlated with those of membrane filtration for both manure Treatments. However, the control Treatment did not show similar correlation. In addition, paired t-tests indicated that the results of the Quanti-Tray method were not significantly different from those of membrane filtration for both manure Treatments. However, the results of the two methods were significantly different for the control Treatment.

The effects of media selection and organic loading on nitrification rates in a reversed-flow, three-phase, spouted-bed, bioreactor with draft-tube (A-1 Aquaculture Continuous-Cleaning Multifunctional Biofilter or CCMB) were studied. Experiments were conducted on three identical recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) each having a CCMB unit with a unique plastic pelletized media and operated over five successive trials with varying components and operating conditions. Based upon organic loading, three of the five trials were grouped into two organic loading regimes of approximately 91 mg/L COD and 149 mg/L COD. Comparing nitrification rates against the three media types by organic loading showed that media selection had a significant (p<0.05) impact on nitrification performance. At both levels of organic loading, the nitrification rates of Media 1 outperformed Media 2 and Media 3. The differences between the Media 1 rates and those of Media 2 and Media 3 were greater at the lower organic loading than at the higher loading, for nitratation than for nitritation, and for areal comparisons than for volumetric comparisons. Comparing nitritation and nitratation rates against organic loading for each media type showed that organic loading had little impact on nitrification. A barely significant (p<0.05) difference between nitrification rates at the two organic loadings was observed only for Media 1 nitratation, where the nitratation rate was greater at the lower organic loading. Throughout all five trials, the CCMB demonstrated the ability to successfully nitrify over organic levels ranging from 13.5 to 205.3 mg/L COD and without showing any signs of biofouling or other problems associated with traditional fixed-film nitrification systems. Media 1 achieved the highest mean nitrification rates during all trials with an average concentration-normalized volumetric nitritation rate of 223 g TAN/day-m3 (0.0139 lb TAN/day-ft3) and maximum of 254 g TAN/day-m3 (0.0159 lb TAN/day-ft3) observed during Trial 5, which had both the highest organic loading and flow rates of all trials.

This project involved the design and testing of a sugar cane yield monitoring system during the 1999 and 2000-harvest seasons. The system was mounted on a CAMECO CH 2500 1997 sugar cane combine. The sugar cane yield monitoring system consisted of a scale, a data acquisition system, and a differential global positioning system (DGPS). The scale consisted of a weigh plate supported by load cell(s). The load cell(s) were supported by a protective box, which mounted to the frame of the harvester. The scale, which was mounted in the floor of the elevator, directly recorded instantaneous measurements of the sugar cane yield (weight). A dump wagon equipped with a weighing system (weigh wagon) was used for each test as the standard. Experiments were run with different levels of cane maturity, variety, row/section length, and flow rate. For each test, the scale readings were totaled and compared to the actual yield, which was measured by the weigh wagon. The yield sensor predicted the sugar cane yield with a slope of 0.900 and a R-squared of 0.966. The scale's average percent error was 11.05 percent. The results also showed that the different cane varieties had an effect on the scale readings, but the maturity of the cane, section length, and the flow rate did not have a significant effect on the scale readings.

This research investigated the feasibility of utilizing rice bran as feedstock for submerged fermentation of Pythium irregulare to produce fungal lipids, which contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3). The fungal nutrient requirements, temperature characterization and growth modeling were determined in glucose-yeast extract media. Sixteen media combinations based on a 24 factorial design with four levels of glucose and yeast extract ranged from 1% to 4% and 0.25% to 1%, respectively, and corresponding carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) ranged from 4 to 64, were examined. The suitable C/N for Pythium irregulare growth ranged from 12 to 24, while that for fungal lipid accumulation as well as EPA and AA synthesis was 32. The optimal medium for EPA and AA production was composed of 2% glucose and 0.25% yeast extract, with addition of 0.1% KH2PO4. Three constant incubation temperatures, 13 °C, 19 °C and 25 °C, were then tested for increasing the EPA and AA production with this medium. Biomass, substrate utilization, lipid and individual fatty acid yields during incubation were determined and the fungal growths were modeled. The optimal incubation temperature was 25 °C for EPA and AA production. To meet the fungal nutrient requirements, a 5% (w/v) rice bran media was made and the cultures were incubated at 25 °C to produce fungal lipids containing EPA and AA. Biomass, substrate utilization, lipid, and individual fatty acid yields during incubation were determined. The results indicated rice bran could be utilized to produce EPA and AA by Pythium irregulare. After 7 days of fermentation, EPA and AA were synthesized by the fungus with yields of 207 mg/L and 70 mg/L, respectively. The percentages of bioconversion from rice bran to EPA and AA by the fungus were 0.42% and 0.14%, respectively. Meanwhile, more than 73% COD in the rice byproduct medium was removed by the fungus.

Residential expansion into traditionally rural areas, environmental issues and increasing integration and farm sizes, have placed steadily increasing pressure and demands on the modern pork producer. Waste management and odor control have become important priority issues. In this research, a controllable field scale biological treatment system was designed, constructed and investigated. The anoxic/aerobic (A/A) system consisted of an anoxic reactor, which receives the raw swine waste, in series with an aerobic reactor. The design of the system require the heterotrophic bacteria in the anoxic reactor to oxidize the organic carbon to carbon dioxide utilizing nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor and producing nitrogen gas through denitrification. Also, in the aerobic reactor autotrophic bacteria oxidize the ammonia to nitrate and a recirculation stream is fed back to the anoxic reactor to supply the needed nitrate. Over the course of the investigation, the hydraulic retention times of the anoxic and aerobic reactors were increased from 35 and 36 hours to 105 and 108 hours respectively in order to establish steady state conditions. A recirculation ratio of 1 was maintained throughout the experiment. Chemical Oxidation Demand (COD), ammonia-N and nitrate-N were tracked through the system during the study. At steady state, COD was reduced from 10,163 to 5,023 mg/L; ammonia-N was reduced from 1,209 to 633 mg/L; and nitrate-N held steady at 95 mg/L, which was the sample detection limit. It is believed that partial nitrification was achieved in the aerobic reactor, which supplied nitrite as opposed to nitrate to the anoxic reactor for organic decomposition resulting in the unexpected low nitrate-N results. An acceptable 67% of the overall 51% COD reduction was accomplished in the anoxic reactor. These results show the field scale system reduced both the organic carbon and ammonia in the swine wastewater and prove the feasibility of the system. The reduction in ammonia indicates that the A/A system may have potential to address odor related problems of swine wastewater. Further research and study to optimize the controlling parameters and achieve more efficiency from the system is warranted and will be easily implemented utilizing the effective controls built in.

More than 30 million people in the United States may have low back pain at any time, and 10 million of them have chronic symptoms. Epidemiological studies indicate that along with axial compressive loads, other factors including repetitive twisting or lateral bending and lifting are significant risk factors for low-back disorders. Literature repeatedly confirms that cyclic occupational functions expose workers to a 10-fold increase in episodes of low back injury and pain. This study examined the biomechanical effects of cyclical loading on the lower back. Twenty in vivo feline preparations were subjected to passive cyclic loading at 20 N (n=6), 40 N (n=7), and 60 N (n=7) for 20 minutes continuously, followed by 7 hours of rest. The skin over the lumbar spine was dissected from the thoracic level to the sacral level and reflected laterally to expose the dorsolumbar fascia. Six pairs of stainless steel fine wire electromyography (EMG) electrodes were inserted into the multifidus muscles of the L-1/2, L-2/3, L-3/4, L-4/5, L-5/6, and L-6/7 on the right side. An "S" shaped stainless steel hook was inserted around the middle of the supraspinous ligament of the L-4/L5 motion segment and connected to the vertical actuator of a Bionic 858 Material Testing System. The load was applied by the MTS actuator with a computer controlled loading system operated in a load control mode; the resulting electrical activity was recorded and analyzed. Results showed that continual cyclical loading on the supraspinous ligament and lumbar spine resulted in creep or laxity within the viscoelastic structures of the spine. The creep then caused desensitization of the mechanoreceptors, located within the ligament. The initial response, due to a decrease in mechanoreceptor sensitivity, was an exponential decrease of electrical activity during the 20-minute loading period for 20N, 40N, and 60N. The greatest percentage of recovery was observed 10 minutes immediately following the loading period for 20N, 40N, and 60N. The electrical activity for all loads increased near the end of recovery. Full recovery of reflexive muscular activity was never observed during any loading period.