Geotechnical field applications of AE/MS techniques at the Pennsylvania State University: a historical review

Since the early 1970s there has been an accelerating interest in the use of acoustic emission/microseismic (AE/MS) techniques for the laboratory and field investigation of geological materials and structures. Basic AE/MS research and the application of AE/MS techniques to a variety of geotechnical problems has been under way in the Penn State Rock Mechanics Laboratory since 1965. To date, studies have involved a wide variety of field topics, including: cavern stability, stability of natural gas storage reservoirs, strata control in longwall coal mines, rock bolt stability monitoring, effects of blasting, mine and tunnel roof stability, subsidence monitoring and rock slope stability evaluation. This paper reviews the development of AE/MS research at Penn State, describes briefly a number of the major field studies undertaken, and discusses on-going and future research programmes.     

On the influence of gamma prime upon machining of advanced nickel based superalloy

Whilst gamma prime (γ′) phase is the strengthening phase in Ni-based superalloys its influence on machining has been seldom investigated. This paper reports for the first time on the effect of γ′ upon machining of Ni-based superalloys when cutting with parameters yielding different cutting temperature intervals which lead to strengthening/softening effects on the workpiece (sub)surface. In-depth XRD, SEM/FIB, EBSD analysis and unique micro-pillar testing in the workpiece superficial layers indicated that with the increase of γ′ fraction the grain plastic deformation significantly decreased, while specific cutting energy can switch from low to high values influenced by the real cutting temperature.     

In Utero Exposure to Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Leads to Postnatal Catch-Up Growth and Dysmetabolism in the Adult Rat Liver

The rates of gestational cannabis use have increased despite limited evidence for its safety in fetal life. Recent animal studies demonstrate that prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis) promotes intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), culminating in postnatal metabolic deficits. Given IUGR is associated with impaired hepatic function, we hypothesized that Δ9-THC offspring would exhibit hepatic dyslipidemia. Pregnant Wistar rat dams received daily injections of vehicular control or 3 mg/kg Δ9-THC i.p. from embryonic day (E) 6.5 through E22. Exposure to Δ9-THC decreased the liver to body weight ratio at birth, followed by catch-up growth by three weeks of age. At six months, Δ9-THC-exposed male offspring exhibited increased visceral adiposity and higher hepatic triglycerides. This was instigated by augmented expression of enzymes involved in triglyceride synthesis (ACCα, SCD, FABP1, and DGAT2) at three weeks. Furthermore, the expression of hepatic DGAT1/DGAT2 was sustained at six months, concomitant with mitochondrial dysfunction (i.e., elevated p66shc) and oxidative stress. Interestingly, decreases in miR-203a-3p and miR-29a/b/c, both implicated in dyslipidemia, were also observed in these Δ9-THC-exposed offspring. Collectively, these findings indicate that prenatal Δ9-THC exposure results in long-term dyslipidemia associated with enhanced hepatic lipogenesis. This is attributed by mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic mechanisms.     

LIQUID PHASE CO-OXIDATION OF THIOPHENOL AND STYRENE BY OXYGEN AND t-BUTYL HYDROPEROXIDE

ABSTRACT

Instability problems in both shale and petroleum derived middle distillate jet fuels have been correlated with the presence of peroxidic species. Although a good body of knowledge exists concerning the formation of peroxides in the liquid phase, relatively little is known about the reaction/ decomposition pathways available when other functional groups are present, since sulfur is the most abundant heteroatam present in jet fuels, the reaction of t-butyl hydroperoxide (tBKP) and/or oxygen with thiophenol in the presence of the active olefin, styrene, was examined in deaerated benzene at 120°C. The complex product mixture was analyzed by combined capillary column GC/MS. Major products included acetone, t-butanol and isdbutylene from the tBHP. Thiophenol and styrene combined to form addition products. Phenyl disulfide was observed from the thiophenol. The results indicated that although the product slate was complex, it was possible to explain the product mix in terms of a few competing reactions.     

FUEL INSTABILITY STUDIES: LIQUID PHASE OXIDATION OF TETRAHYDROTHIOPHENE BY TERT-BUTYL HYDROPEROXIDE

ABSTRACT

The reactions that lead to fuel instability are the subject of conflicting reports in the literature. Confusion results from the difficulty in relating differences in fuel composition, temperature, surface effects and dissolved oxygen content that comprise the multitude of reported studies. Model studies offer a means by which the mechanism of an individual reaction can be related to a simple system and then extended to the more complex fuel media. This paper reports a model oxidation study of a cyclic sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene, with an active oxygen species, t-butyl hydroperoxide under mild reaction conditions, 120°C, in a tetradecane model fuel. The major oxidation product was tetrahydrothiophene sulfoxide from the sulfide and t-butanol from the hydroperoxide. The complete suite of products is reported.     

FUEL INSTABILITY STUDIES: THE CHEMICAL VALIDATION OF ASTM METHOD D5304

The current ASTM (D5304) procedure for determining storage stability involves rather drastic conditions, namely, 16 hours at 90°C and under 100 psig of oxygen. These mandated test conditions give rise to the question, “Does the reaction conditions induce chemical instability, or is it an accurate measure of the true instability process?” Several organo-sulfur functional groups are known to be present in petroleum derived fuels. Thiophenes, benzothiophenes, sulfides, disulfides, and trace amounts of thiols are the organo-sulfur compounds most prevalent. The reaction of organo-sulfur compounds under the ASTM reaction conditions have not been investigated. The purpose of the present research is to determine if the ASTM reaction conditions induce a reaction in an otherwise stable fuel matrix.     

Filtration of Colloidal Suspensions – MRI Investigation and Numerical Simulation

The principle mechanisms of solid‐liquid separation processes are sedimentation and filtration, both including the formation and compression of a liquid‐saturated bulk. The compressive properties of the bulk determine the operating parameters of solid‐liquid separation devices and the achievable separation results. Information about the solids volume fraction of the bulk is essential for a better understanding of the physical mechanisms and precise modeling. A numerical model for the calculation of the local solids volume fraction during formation and compression of filter cakes and sediments was developed. The calculated results are compared with experimental NMR data.     

Role of endoproteolytic dibasic proprotein processing in maturation of secretory proteins in Trichoderma reesei

Cell extracts of Trichoderma reesei exhibited dibasic endopeptidase activity toward the carboxylic side of KR, RR, and PR sequences. This activity was stimulated by the presence of Ca2+ ions and localized in vesicles of low bouyant density; it therefore exhibited some similarity to yeast Kex2. Analytical chromatofocusing revealed a single peak of activity. The dibasic endopeptidase activity was strongly and irreversibly inhibited in vitro as well as in vivo by 1 mM p-amidinophenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (pAPMSF) but not by PMSF at concentrations up to 5 mM. We therefore used pAPMSF to study the role of the dibasic endopeptidase in the secretion of protein by T. reesei. Secretion of xylanase I (proprotein processing sequence -R-R- downward arrow-R- downward arrow-A-) and xylanase II (-K-R- downward arrow-Q-) was strongly inhibited by 1 mM pAPMSF, and a larger, unprocessed enzyme form was detected intracellularly under these conditions. Secretion of cellobiohydrolase II (CBH II; -E-R- downward arrow-Q-) was only slightly inhibited by pAPMSF, and no accumulation of unprocessed precursors was detected. In contrast, secretion of CBH I (-R-A- downward arrow-Q-) was stimulated by pAPMSF addition, and a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of intracellular CBH I was detected. Similar experiments were also carried out with a single heterologous protein, ShBLE, the phleomycin-binding protein from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus, fused to a series of model proprotein-processing sequences downstream of the expression signals of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA promoter. Consistent with the results obtained with homologous proteins, pAPMSF inhibited the secretion of ShBLE with fusions containing dibasic (RK and KR) target sequences, but it even stimulated secretion in fusions to LR, NHA, and EHA target sequences. Addition of 5 mM PMSF, a nonspecific inhibitor of serine protease, nonspecifically inhibited the secretion of heterologous proteins from fusions bearing the NHA and LR targets. These data point to the existence of different endoproteolytic proprotein processing enzymes in T. reesei and demonstrate that dibasic processing is obligatory for the secretion of the proproteins containing this target.     

Acute blindness after severe quinine poisoning

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