Optimization models for shale gas water management

There are four key aspects for water use in hydraulic fracturing, including source water acquisition, wastewater production, reuse and recycle, and subsequent transportation, storage, and disposal. Water use life cycle is optimized for wellpads through a discrete‐time two‐stage stochastic mixed‐integer linear programming model under uncertain availability of water. The objective is to minimize expected transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal cost while accounting for the revenue from gas production. Assuming freshwater sources, river withdrawal data, location of wellpads, and treatment facilities are given, the goal is to determine an optimal fracturing schedule in coordination with water transportation, and its treatment and reuse. The proposed models consider a long‐time horizon and multiple scenarios from historical data. Two examples representative of the Marcellus Shale play are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the formulation, and to identify optimization opportunities that can improve both the environmental impact and economical use of water. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3490–3501, 2014     

Characterization of GPVI- or GPVI-CD39-Coated Nanoparticles and Their Impact on In Vitro Thrombus Formation

Traditional antithrombotic agents commonly share a therapy-limiting side effect, as they increase the overall systemic bleeding risk. A novel approach for targeted antithrombotic therapy is nanoparticles. In other therapeutic fields, nanoparticles have enabled site-specific delivery with low levels of toxicity and side effects. Here, we paired nanotechnology with an established dimeric glycoprotein VI-Fc (GPVI-Fc) and a GPVI-CD39 fusion protein, thereby combining site-specific delivery and new antithrombotic drugs. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, NP-BSA, NP-GPVI and NP-GPVI-CD39 were characterized through electron microscopy, atomic force measurements and flow cytometry. Light transmission aggregometry enabled analysis of platelet aggregation. Thrombus formation was observed through flow chamber experiments. NP-GPVI and NP-GPVI-CD39 displayed a characteristic surface coating pattern. Fluorescence properties were identical amongst all samples. NP-GPVI and NP-GPVI-CD39 significantly impaired platelet aggregation. Thrombus formation was significantly impaired by NP-GPVI and was particularly impaired by NP-GPVI-CD39. The receptor-coated nanoparticles NP-GPVI and the bifunctional molecule NP-GPVI-CD39 demonstrated significant inhibition of in vitro thrombus formation. Consequently, the nanoparticle-mediated antithrombotic effect of GPVI-Fc, as well as GPVI-CD39, and an additive impact of CD39 was confirmed. In conclusion, NP-GPVI and NP-GPVI-CD39 may serve as a promising foundation for a novel therapeutic approach regarding targeted antithrombotic therapy.     

Bisphenol S Impairs Invasion and Proliferation of Extravillous Trophoblasts Cells by Interfering with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling

The placenta supports fetal growth and is vulnerable to exogenous chemical exposures. We have previously demonstrated that exposure to the emerging chemical bisphenol S (BPS) can alter placental endocrine function. Mechanistically, we have demonstrated that BPS interferes with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, reducing placenta cell fusion. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), a placenta cell type that aids with vascular remodeling, require EGF to invade into the maternal endometrium. We hypothesized that BPS would impair EGF-mediated invasion and proliferation in EVTs. Using human EVTs (HTR-8/SVneo cells), we tested whether BPS could inhibit the EGF response by blocking EGFR activation. We also evaluated functional endpoints of EGFR signaling, including EGF endocytosis, cell invasion and proliferation, and endovascular differentiation. We demonstrated that BPS blocked EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR by acting as a competitive antagonist to EGFR. Transwell assay and a three-dimensional microfluidic chip invasion assay revealed that BPS exposure can block EGF-mediated cell invasion. BPS also blocked EGF-mediated proliferation and endovascular differentiation. In conclusion, BPS can prevent EGF-mediated EVT proliferation and invasion through EGFR antagonism. Given the role of EGFR in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation during placental development, our findings suggest that maternal exposure to BPS may contribute to placental dysfunction via EGFR-mediated mechanisms.     

Dominant Mechanisms that Shape the Airborne Particle Size and Composition Distribution in Central California

The size and composition of ambient airborne particulate matter is reported for winter conditions at five locations in (or near) the San Joaquin Valley in central California. Two distinct types of airborne particles were identified based on diurnal patterns and size distribution similarity: hygroscopic sulfate/ammonium/nitrate particles and less hygroscopic particles composed of mostly organic carbon with smaller amounts of elemental carbon. Daytime PM₁₀ concentrations for sulfate/ammonium/nitrate particles were measured to be 10.1 μ g m^?3, 28.3 μ g m^?3, and 52.8 μ g m^?3 at Sacramento, Modesto and Bakersfield, California, respectively. Nighttime concentrations were 10–30% lower, suggesting that these particles are dominated by secondary production. Simulation of the data with a box model suggests that these particles were formed by the condensation of ammonia and nitric acid onto background or primary sulfate particles. These hygroscopic particles had a mass distribution peak in the accumulation mode (0.56–1.0 μ m) at all times. Daytime PM₁₀ carbon particle concentrations were measured to be 9.5 μ g m^?3, 15.1 μ g m^?3, and 16.2 μ g m^?3 at Sacramento, Modesto, and Bakersfield, respectively. Corresponding nighttime concentrations were 200–300% higher, suggesting that these particles are dominated by primary emissions. The peak in the carbon particle mass distribution varied between 0.2–1.0 μ m. Carbon particles emitted directly from combustion sources typically have a mass distribution peak diameter between 0.1–0.32 μ m. Box model calculations suggest that the formation of secondary organic aerosol is negligible under cool winter conditions, and that the observed shift in the carbon particle mass distribution results from coagulation in the heavily polluted concentrations experienced during the current study. The analysis suggests that carbon particles and sulfate/ammonium/nitrate particles exist separately in the atmosphere of the San Joaquin Valley until coagulation mixes them in the accumulation mode.     

Large-area nanoscale patterning: chemistry meets fabrication

This Account describes a new paradigm for large-area nanoscale patterning that combines bottom-up and top-down approaches, merging chemistry with fabrication. This hybrid strategy uses simple nanofabrication techniques to control the alignment, size, shape, and periodicity of nanopatterns and chemical methods to control their materials properties and crystallinity. These tools are highly flexible and can create surface-patterned nanostructures with unusual properties and free-standing nanostructures that are multifunctional and monodisperse. The unprecedented scientific and technological opportunities enabled by nanoscale patterning over wafer-sized areas are discussed.     

Global optimality properties of total annualized and operating cost problems for compressor sequences

The minimum total annualized cost problem for a series of nonisentropic compressors and coolers that brings a gas with constant compressibility factor from a specified initial pressure and temperature to a specified final pressure and the same temperature is studied in this work. It is established analytically that at the global optimum, the cooler outlet temperatures are equal to the minimum allowable temperature. For constant heat capacity, constant compressibility factor gases, additional properties of the globally optimal compressor sequence are analytically established for the minimum operating cost case. The aforementioned properties permit development of a solution strategy that identifies the globally minimum operating cost. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the developed theorems and solution strategies. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 4134–4149, 2014     

Natural resources and economic policy in developing countries

This paper argues for the need to design broad economic policy instruments to reverse the trend in many developing countries toward increasing degradation and destruction of natural resources. The natural resource base, often critical for economic development, is in many cases threatened by a rapid population growth, the effect of which is compounded by inadequately controlled land and water use.Policy interventions which have a pervasive effect must be established to influence the environmentally-related behavior of countless, relatively small-scale, resource-using activities which take place throughout a nation's economy. Natural resource management should thus become a standard element of macroeconomic and sector analysis, and the physical linkages between sectors need to be critically examined.Governments must overcome major institutional and political obstacles. New approaches, providing incentives and rewards to policy makers, must be developed to increase interagency cooperation while avoiding overlapping jurisdictions and to prevent vested interests from paralyzing new initiatives.The views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and should not be attributed to the World Bank, to its affiliated organizations, or to any individual acting on their behalf. The paper is an adaptation of one presented at the World Conservation Strategy Conference, Ottawa, June 1986. The author is indebted to many colleagues for advice and comments, including R. Ackermann, D. Anderson, N. Myers, D. Pearce, R. Repetto, G. Schramm and E. Schuh.     

Wheat gluten-coated papers for bio-based food packaging: Structure,surface and transfer properties

The objective of the present work was to understand how the structural, surface, water vapour and gas barrier properties of wheat gluten (WG) coated paper could be influenced by the features of paper. For this purpose, a surface treated paper (TP) and an untreated paper (UTP) were compared. Penetration of WG-coating into the bulk of paper was more pronounced in UTP than TP. This led to the formation of a significant junction zone resulting in an interpenetrated structure for WG–UTP, suggesting a composite-like structure, while a bi-layer one was obtained for WG–TP. Differences in WG penetration were related to the hydrophilicity, roughness and porosity of the paper used. Even though the extent of penetration did not greatly affect the surface properties (water and oil resistance), the transfer properties (water vapour, O₂ and CO₂) of WG-coated papers were significantly improved when WG-coating highly penetrated: while the WG–TP behaved as a micro-perforated material, the WG–UTP behaved as WG-film.