18 Aug 2025

Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Mediated Delivery of Gene-Silencing Nucleic Acids to the Invasive Common Reed Phragmites australis via Foliar Application

Abstract: RNA interference-based gene silencing has been increasingly explored for potential applications to control invasive species. At least two major hurdles exist when applying this approach to invasive plants: (1) the design and screening of species- and gene-specific biomacromolecules made of DNA, RNA, or peptides that can suppress the expression of target genes efficiently, and (2) the delivery vehicle needed to penetrate plant cell walls and other physical barriers. In this study, we investigated the cell-penetrating peptide-mediated delivery of multiple types of GSAs to knock down a putative phytoene desaturase gene in the invasive common reed. Both microscopic and quantitative gene expression evidence demonstrated the CPP-mediated internalization of GSA cargos and transient suppression of PDS expression in both treated and systemic leaves up to 7 days post foliar application. Although various GSA combinations and application rates and frequencies were tested, we observed limitations, including low gene-silencing efficiency and a lack of physiological trait alteration, likely owing to low CPP payload capacity and the incomplete characterization of the PDS-coding genes in P. australis. Our work lays a foundation to support further research toward the development of convenient, cost-effective, field-deployable, and environmentally benign gene-silencing technologies for invasive P. australis management.

14 Aug 2025

Buffalo Mole (South Pier): National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

Abstract: The United States 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. This document contains the nomination form and all supporting documentation for listing the Buffalo mole (South Pier), located at the entrance to the Buffalo harbor in New York, on the NRHP. The area on top of and surrounding the mole was modified through the past two hundred years, many of the character-defining features remain including the stone retaining walls, talus, stairs, and lighthouse identified in plans and drawings from the period of construction. Notably lost is the stone tow path, or banquette, and the stone incline on the south side of the mole is no longer visible. The researchers recommend a period of significance of c. 1820 through 1959 since the mole has continued its original use of keeping the entrance to the Buffalo River open for freight and recreational boating traffic through the present day.

14 Aug 2025

Creating an Augmented Soil Texture Master List Using the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO)

Purpose: This US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) technical note (TN) describes the workflow for creating an augmented soil texture master list that describes the surface-most (i.e., uppermost) USDA soil texture class and coarse fragment modifier. In conjunction with a soil similarity search algorithm, the soil texture master list fulfills a need identified by the Intelligent Environmental Battlefield Awareness (IEBA) project to generate detailed global soil boundary polygons. These polygons will serve as the base layer for populating other environmental variables, like soil temperature, soil moisture, depth to permafrost, and vegetation type, in the battlespace. This TN describes the purpose of the augmented soil texture master list, provides an overview of the gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO), and describes the methodology used to create the soil texture master list.

14 Aug 2025

Ohio Army National Guard, St. Marys Armory: Historic Buildings Survey

Abstract: St. Marys Armory is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A for being constructed during the Interwar Armory Construction Program (1920–1940 era) and under Criterion C for its design of castellated, Art Deco, and Art Moderne architectural styles. This report documents the building to the standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey and includes a historic context, architectural descriptions, photographs, and architectural drawings. This report satisfies Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 as amended and will be used by the St. Marys Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG) for mitigation. This documentation fulfills Stipulation II of the Memorandum of Understanding Among the Adjutant General of Ohio and the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (OHSHPO) Regarding Disposal of St. Marys Armory, Auglaize County, Ohio.

13 Aug 2025

Examination of Activated Carbon Losses During Open Water Placement of Amended Dredged Material for Bioaccumulation Control

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential losses of both powdered and granular activated carbon (AC) resulting from open water placement of AC-amended dredged material to reduce contaminant bioaccumulation. The study examined the results of model predictions, a laboratory dump test, and a field demonstration project performed at the Ashtabula Lake Erie placement site.

13 Aug 2025

A Revised Landform Map for Areas Prone to Dust Emission in the Southwestern United States

Abstract: An area’s landform composition can provide insight into its dust emission potential. In 2017, geomorphologists from the Desert Research Institute provided the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center with a 32-class landform map for portions of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in the southwest United States (SWUS) to support air quality and dust hazard modeling applications. We collaborated with the University of California to independently assess the map. Our review identified opportunities to improve the dataset, such as using a simpler landform classification system and revising individual geomorphic unit assignments to ensure consistent labeling across the study area. This report describes our approaches for refining the SWUS map and documents the updated 15-class landform map that resulted from our efforts.

12 Aug 2025

Assessing Shorelines Extracted from Satellite Imagery Using Coincident Terrestrial Lidar Linescans

Abstract: Previous analyses comparing CoastSat satellite-derived shorelines to morphological data highlighted site-specific errors in outputs related to concurrent wave runup conditions. We present a comparison of lidar-derived runup and beach elevation data to CoastSat satellite-derived waterlines extracted using two image sources and two threshold algorithms. Results show SDW extracted using Otsu thresholds correlated better with lidar-derived waterlines, SDW extracted using the weighted peaks threshold were consistently positioned in the upper swash and correlated better with a runup bulk statistic. Assigning the best-fit runup bulk statistic as the waterline elevation to weighted peaks SDW resulted in SDS with less scatter than the Otsu SDW. Horizontal errors for converted datum-referenced shoreline were lowest when SDW were converted to SDS using best-fit measured runup bulk statistics and a measured slope. For weighted peaks SDW from both image sources, assigning the best-fit parameterized runup bulk statistic and an average slope in the SDW to SDS conversion reduced error by ∼ 20% to ∼ 35% when compared to tidal elevation and average slope. These findings confirm runup corrections can improve native SDS outputs, although the magnitude of final shorelines error depended on specific imagery product, local beach slope, threshold technique, runup parametrization, and chosen reference contour.

12 Aug 2025

Applying the Working with Nature Philosophy to Navigation Infrastructure Projects

Abstract: In 2008, the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure published a position paper describing a Working with Nature philosophy aimed to change how the sector approaches navigation and port infrastructure projects. In 2018, Pianc published guidance on implementing WwN. Pianc’s guidance presents a six-step process that encourages consideration of site-specific ecosystem characteristics and WwN opportunities at early stages of project development, early stakeholder engagement and integration of WwN into the development of project objectives before design begins. By incorporating WwN applications during conception, the WwN approach provides the most promising opportunities to affect positive outcomes for the environment. This holistic understanding of ecosystem processes and socioeconomic interactions realises environmental impacts can be minimised while concomitantly seeking opportunities to enhance ecosystem functions at various spatial and temporal scales. Project delivery thus goes beyond avoiding or compensating for negative project impacts and seeks multi-sector ecosystem and socioeconomic benefits. Applied in practice, WwN can increase habitat functionality, reduce energy associated with construction or maintenance, and enhance the short- and long-term delivery of ecosystem services. Projects consistent with the WwN philosophy achieve their underlying engineering objectives, alongside various co-benefits, consistent with the environmental, societal and economic sustainability pillars.

12 Aug 2025

Applicability of Two-Phase Modeling with Compression Experiments for Snow Compaction Dynamics

Abstract: Compaction is a rheological process which has been modeled using a 1-D two-phase continuum framework. However, it has been posed as a promising method for modeling densification of snow into glacial ice, where the conventional model is empirical or semi-empirical. We explored the applicability of a one-dimensional two-phase continuum framework for modeling snow compaction through theoretical and laboratory methods by analyzing and simplifying theory, then experimentally constraining the model coefficient. We found the limit of slow compaction is reached such that air evacuation during the compaction process does not impede the deformation of ice grains. Model-data comparisons are performed using data from a series of uniaxial compression experiments of snow samples under a range of compaction rates and densities at –10° and –20 °C. By defining a linear effective pressure function, we constrain the model parameter by tuning against the data. While our model follows proper simplification of theory, temperature and microstructural dependence are determined by the model parameter in a rheological formulation with the strain rate; much scatter still exists. Within the selected range of compaction rates and densities, a 1-D two-phase model with a continuum framework alone does not likely capture important processes involved in the compaction process.

12 Aug 2025

Carbon Nanotube-Based Segregated Thermoplastic Nanocomposites Structured via Electromagnetic Melt Processing

Abstract: The EM-processed TPNCs prepared with EM-susceptible carbon nanotubes exhibited a significant enhancement in transport and mechanical properties, outperforming conventionally processed TPNCs. Thus, EM-processed TPNCs demonstrated an ultralow electrical percolation threshold and a remarkable increase in volume electrical conductivity of 8 orders of magnitude at only 1.0 wt % CNT loading. This highlights the superior network formation, level of segregation, and structuring enabled by EM processing. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction revealed EM-processed TPNCs exhibited higher crystallinity and a predominantly α crystal phase compared to hot-pressed TPNCs. Microstructural inspection by electron microscopy disclosed EM processing led to segregated but interconnected multiscale networks of a thin and well-defined CNT interphase that encompassed from the nanoscale of CNTs to the macroscopic scale of TPNCs. The EM-processed TPNCs developed a statistically higher stiffness and in certain cases, even better strength than hot-pressed TPNCs. However, EM-processed TPNCs displayed significantly lower ductility, owing to their higher crystallinity, more brittle crystal α phase, and potential formation of microvoids in the bulk of the TPNCs inherent to the unoptimized EM processing. This work provides an understanding of an alternative and unconventional processing method capable of achieving higher structuring in nanocomposites with advanced multifunctional properties.