22 Sep 2025

Design and Validation of Universal and Taxon-Specific 16S rRNA qPCR Primers for Detection of Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria

Abstract: Freshwater harmful algal bloom-forming cyanobacteria have become a prominent global concern from environmental and human health perspectives. For timely decision making in taking preventative and mitigative measures, rapid, accurate, sensitive and quantitative tools are needed for the detection and monitoring of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. We report the development of taxon-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction primers capable of distinguishing 10 cyanobacterial genera or clade from non-target groups and a new set of universal primers capable of amplifying all cyanobacteria species. When evaluated by 4 stringent metrics and primer-template mismatches, these de novo designed qPCR primers outperformed published primers in amplifying the 16S rRNA gene of their target strains of 16 in-house cyanobacterial strains belonging to 10 genera. The 10 best-performing designed primers were validated using field samples from three field locations with historically documented HAB events. Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of our design-screen-evaluation-validation pipeline in developing taxon-specific qPCR primers for detecting and quantifying group-specific target populations and their promising application to field HABs samples. With the advancement of massive parallel sequencing technologies and bioinformatic tools, a community-wide 16S full-length sequencing run can provide a panoramic view of the genetic diversity and site-specific variant info about the target taxa of interest.

19 Sep 2025

Cooling Perspectives on the Risk of Pathogenic Viruses from Thawing Permafrost

Abstract: Climate change is inducing wide-scale permafrost thaw in the Arctic and subarctic, triggering concerns that long-dormant pathogens could reemerge from the thawing ground and initiate epidemics or pandemics. Viruses, as opposed to bacterial pathogens, garner particular interest because outbreaks cannot be controlled with antibiotics, though the effects can be mitigated by vaccines and newer antiviral drugs. To evaluate the potential hazards posed by viral pathogens emerging from thawing permafrost, we review information from a diverse range of disciplines. This includes efforts to recover infectious virus from human remains, studies on disease occurrence in polar animal populations, investigations into viral persistence and infectivity in permafrost, and assessments of human exposure to the enormous viral diversity present in the environment. Based on currently available knowledge, we conclude that the risk posed by viruses from thawing permafrost is no greater than viruses in other environ¬ments such as temperate soils and aquatic systems.

19 Sep 2025

A Stakeholder Driven Engagement Strategy to Support the Development of Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technologies: A Case Study with DinoSHIELD

Abstract: With rapid advancements in environmental technology, early stakeholder engagement in research and development is critical for successful technology transition. DinoSHIELD is a novel biological harmful algal bloom control strategy targeting toxic dinoflagellates through controlled release of a naturally-produced algicide from bacteria immobilized in non-toxic hydrogel. This study presents the first successful application of the Responsible Research and Innovation framework to marine HAB control technology development. The stakeholder engagement strategy included workshops in southwest Florida with pre- and post-surveys to assess understanding and comfort, plus feedback sessions to gather actionable input for ongoing R&D. The RRI approach achieved measurable success across all objectives: survey results showed significant increases in stakeholder understanding and comfort with DinoSHIELD. Stakeholder feedback directly informed critical R&D priorities including alternative deployment mechanisms, sustainability considerations, and ecological safety assessments. Participants showed enthusiasm for the technology’s natural derivation while identifying crucial research gaps that have been incorporated into ongoing development. This work establishes the first rigorous baseline of stakeholder perceptions for marine HAB control technologies and validates a replicable model for environmental management strategies. The results demonstrate that successful technology transition requires meaningful stakeholder participation throughout development, providing a template for accelerating responsible development of novel environmental technologies.

19 Sep 2025

Bridging the Impact Response of Polymers from the Nanoscale to the Macroscale

Abstract: Impact from a fast-moving object is a common event, but it can vary greatly in terms of scale, speed, and energy depending on the specific case. Recently, it has been suggested that scaling analysis can be used to relate the impact performance of materials at the nano- and microscale to their behavior at the macroscale, which is relevant for most applications. In this study, we explore the broad applicability of this approach by conducting micro- and macroprojectile impact tests on polymethyl methacrylate and polycarbonate films. By applying Buckingham 𝛱 dimensional analysis to all the impact test results, we demonstrate that the minimum perforation velocity is directly related to the geometric and material properties of each system across a broad range of size and energy scales. Interestingly, we find that the failure stress of the polymer, a critical material property that defines perforation resistance, can be empirically determined based on the deformation of the specific impact test.

19 Sep 2025

Design and Development of Large Format Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Abstract: This report discusses the creation of a large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) printer and initial test printing with the machine. A pellet-extruder head was attached to a computer numerical control (CNC) gantry. The team at the US Army Research and Development Center (ERDC) modified gantry arms to increase build height and designed electronic controls to allow for control of the printhead and the heated print bed. This report also covers print parameter optimization and print settings development.

19 Sep 2025

Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) Design Process

Purpose: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provides water resource and river engineering technical support to a wide-ranging portfolio of projects across the country and world. To maintain state-of-the-art river engineering practice, research and development focused on updating conventional river engineering technologies and approaches is required. Incorporating Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) and Natural Infrastructure (NI) strategies into the design of stable channels is one way to update river engineering practices (USACE 2017). The objective of this technical note is to provide a standard approach for incorporating NNBF-NI into the design of stable channels. Specific analysis and design details referred to herein are part of the NNBF Stabilization and Restoration (NNBF-SR) research and development (R&D) effort.

18 Sep 2025

Standard Operating Procedures for the Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Summer Roads and Trails, Drop Zones, and Firebreaks in Cold Regions

Abstact: As DoD investments across Alaska increase in response to DoD Arctic strategies, expanded training opportunities are necessary to enable the military to enhance their Arctic capabilities. In addition, wildfire management is increasingly important in the area as the summer season has expanded and warmed in recent decades. This report addresses the siting, design, construction, and maintenance of summer roads and trails, drop zones, and firebreaks on DoD lands in Alaska and other cold regions. It considers the harsh weather conditions, extreme seasonality, and remoteness of these environments, in addition to the general requirements of understanding the local environment, relevant risks, permitting, and regulations. The three types of linear infrastructure are assessed together as each involves the clearing of land and maintaining it as cleared, and therefore share common risks. This report summarizes best practices throughout the project lifecycle and synthesizes risk mitigation strategies informed by a comprehensive literature review and conversations with local training land managers. Using Fort Wainwright in Interior Alaska as an example, it provides Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to aid land managers and military unit leadership as they navigate challenges and opportunities in their increased use of these critical linear infrastructure types in high latitude environments.

17 Sep 2025

Validating Predicted Soil Boundaries with In Situ Collections

Abstract: This US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) technical note describes the process used by the Intelligent Environmental Battlefield Awareness (IEBA) team to validate the spatial distribution and texture class attribution of soil boundary predictions. The predicted global soil boundary polygons will serve as a primary base layer for populating other environmental variables; thus, it is essential to assess their robustness prior to the attribution stage.

17 Sep 2025

Spring House, 666 Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaiʻi: Historic American Buildings Surveys HI-676

Abstract: The US Congress codified the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), the nation’s most effective cultural resources legislation to date, mostly through establishing the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NHPA requires federal agencies to address their cultural resources, which are defined as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object. Section 110 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to inventory and evaluate their cultural resources, and Section 106 requires them to determine the effect of federal undertakings on those potentially eligible for the NRHP. Lahaina is located in the western part of Maui County, in Hawaiʻi. The Spring House, erected circa 1823, is currently scheduled for demolition due to its major fire damages. This report documents the building to the standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey and includes a historic context, architectural descriptions, photographs, and measured drawings. This report satisfies Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended and will be used by FEMA to document the building before its demolition.

17 Sep 2025

Vehicle Barrier Application for Soft Asset Protection at US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Dam Facilities

Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates recreational areas at more than 400 lakes and river projects in 43 states. The rise of vehicular ramming attacks, in addition to attacks from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), necessitates physical security measures to protect soft assets at these facilities. Therefore, a comprehensive vehicle-control plan, which includes the appropriate placement of effective vehicle barriers, is important for dam owners and operators to maintain safety at their facilities. This guide consolidates requirements, standards, and the design basis for barriers from multiple sources to provide dam owners with a resource to better protect against vehicular threats.