The influence of wood smoke source on pro-inflammatory outcome

Research has shown that exposure to biomass smoke can lead to adverse health effects. However, the potential impacts of how wood smoke (WS) sources influence health outcomes are unknown. Wildfire and residential WS particulate matter (PM) are health risks to the general population, as well as a source of occupational exposure to those fighting wildfires. These different sources of WS likely constitute different hazards, especially in small mountain communities where wood or other solid fuels are easily accessible. In order to investigate the potential impacts following exposures to these different sources, the particles released during these different burning events were harvested and employed in an in vitro model to explore the potential effects on macrophage pro-inflammatory activity and cell viability. In the lung, macrophages are the front line of defense when inhaling foreign particles (e.g., dust, pathogens, etc.) and can trigger an immune response. This response is largely dependent on the source (or chemistry) of the inhaled particles. Determining the impact of these inhaled particles on macrophages will improve our understanding of how WS sources influence health. Using a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system particle concentrator (VACES-PC), WS was harvested for the planned in vitro studies. Wildfire PM was harvested on the roof of the Skaggs building on the University of Montana’s campus downwind from a wildfire occurring just outside of Lolo, Montana in 2013. Wood stove WS particles were harvested from both an “old” wood stove and an EPA-certified wood stove chimney during burns. Each particle type was then concentrated into stock solutions. In a dose-response manner using a human cell line (THP-1 macrophages), cells were exposed to the three different sources of WS and controls (i.e. NIST 1648 standard for urban particulate matter and SiO2). Results demonstrate that wildfire WS is significantly more pro-inflammatory than particles from an “old” wood stove, an EPA-certified wood stove, and urban particulate matter. Also, other measures (i.e., endotoxin burden) show significant differences in source chemistry. These data suggest that the source of WS likely plays a significant role in health outcome

A Digital Workflow for the Design and Manufacturing of 3D Printed Concrete Bridges in a Circular Economy:A Parametric Approach to Integrated Design and Fabrication

Low productivity, material depletion, waste, and emissions are widespread in the construction industry. On top of this, many bridges reaching the end of their service life need repair or replacement.This design project investigates how digitisation and integrated design and manufacturing processes can aid in addressing sustainability and productivity issues. This project develops a digital workflow for bridge design and manufacturing using 3D printed concrete in combination with circular economy design concepts of disassembly and material reduction.Design CriteriaFor the development of the project, design criteria were established. This process initially looked at two previously printed bridges in the Netherlands. From this, design criteria for both the design tool and the resulting bridge designs were established. These criteria include:• Use concrete 3D printing and work with relevant printing systems.• Use structural analysis to guide user decisions.• Use prestressed tendons and modularise for simple assembly and disassembly.• Implement principles of the circular economy.Design ToolThe project developed a parametric design tool for creating bridges using 3D-printed concrete. Five ‘blocks’ manage distinct design elements in the design tool.1. Alignment allows the user to match the bridge to an existing location or shape a new bridge through length, span and shape.2. Cross-sections along the curve allow the user to shape the bridge. Size and thickness control linked to a structural check enables efficient material distribution.3. 3D Form interpolates the cross-sections into a 3D shape. Here the user can see how the beam will look.4. Segments are created in the beam to engage with material, manufacturing and transport constraints.5. Code Generation block generates code suitable for standard printing systems.The user can make changes and modifications at any stage in the process. The manufacturing constraints are embedded into the design process, helping to ensure that what is designed can be produced.Design ConceptsTwo bridge concepts were created to demonstrate the tool’s flexibility in different scenarios. One design uses a freeform cross-section type to create a pedestrian bridge over a river. The other is a more straightforward highway bridge using a modular cross-section type and reuses existing supports.Public DisseminationOne of the ambitions is to share results and knowledge generated throughout the project. This knowledge dissemination is demonstrated by three public presentations reaching an industry, academic and general public audience.Conclusions and RecommendationsThe tool created helps demonstrate how integrated approaches to design and fabrication can help with the challenges presented in sustainability and productivity but simultaneously with the ambition that what we produce is attractive and appropriate to its location

A Scenario-Based Parametric Analysis of Stable Marriage Approaches to the Army Officer Assignment Problem

This paper compares linear programming and stable marriage approaches to the assignment problem under conditions of uncertainty. Robust solutions should exhibit reduced variability in the presence of one or more additional constraints. Several variations of each approach are compared with respect to solution quality, as measured by the overall social welfare among Officers and Assignments, and robustness as measured by the number of changes after a number of randomized perturbations. We examine the contrasts between these methods in the context of assigning Army Officers among a set of identified assignments. Additional constraints are modeled after realistic scenarios faced by Army assignment managers, with parameters randomized. The Pareto efficient approaches, relative to these measures of quality and robustness, are identified and subjected to a regression analysis. The coefficients of these models provide insight into the impact the different scenarios under study, as well as inform any trade-off decisions between Pareto-optimal approaches

The influence of humic acid and water hardness on the partitioning of silver ions and nanoparticles between fresh water and freshwater algae

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) containing products are abundant in consumer goods. If trends continue, AgNP levels will continue to rise as innovative applications continue to be realized. These nanoparticles (NPs) can enter the environment as their uses can transport them to natural waters (e.g., washing socks containing AgNPs). Research on the behavior of AgNPs and Ag+ in artificial fresh water is presented in this thesis. Specifically, their sorptive properties between fresh water and freshwater algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindák, as a function of hardness, humic acid (HA) content, and silver type were investigated. The experimental design was modeled after a 23 factorial analysis in which each factor is varied at two levels: (1) no added HA and with HA, (2), Ag type [AgNP versus Ag+], and (3) low hardness and high hardness. The Freundlich Isotherm method was used to determine the KF partitioning constants at the varying conditions. The effects of each factor on partitioning constants were evaluated. A normal probability plot was used to determine which factors had the greatest effect. Results were that the greatest effects were caused by hardness and the interaction between hardness and HA. An increase in hardness caused a decrease in Ag sorption by an average log KF of 0.46475, whereas the interaction between hardness and HA caused an increase in Ag sorption by an average log KF of 0.40375. The other two main effects (Ag type and HA content) also had an effect on sorption. However, these main effects were not as great as that observed with hardness

Single-Molecule Imaging Reveals the Interplay Between Transcription Factors, Nucleosomes, and Transcriptional Bursting

Transcription factors show rapid and reversible binding to chromatin in living cells, and transcription occurs in sporadic bursts, but how these phenomena are related is unknown. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo single-molecule imaging approaches, we directly correlated binding of the Gal4 transcription factor with the transcriptional bursting kinetics of the Gal4 target genes GAL3 and GAL10 in living yeast cells. We find that Gal4 dwell time sets the transcriptional burst size. Gal4 dwell time depends on the affinity of the binding site and is reduced by orders of magnitude by nucleosomes. Using a novel imaging platform called orbital tracking, we simultaneously tracked transcription factor binding and transcription at one locus, revealing the timing and correlation between Gal4 binding and transcription. Collectively, our data support a model in which multiple RNA polymerases initiate transcription during one burst as long as the transcription factor is bound to DNA, and bursts terminate upon transcription factor dissociation

Steps Toward the Creation of a Carbon Nanotube Single Electron Transistor

This report details work toward the fabrication of a single-electron transistor created from a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). Specifically discussed is a method for growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via carbon vapor deposition (CVD). The growth is catalyzed by a solution of 0.02g Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, 0.005g MoO2(acac)2, and 0.015g of alumina particles in 15mL methanol. SWNT diameter ranges from 0.6 to 3.0 nm. Also discussed is a method to control nanotube growth location by patterning samples with small islands of catalyst. A novel “maskless” photolithographic process is used to focus light from a lightweight commercial digital projector through a microscope. Catalyst islands created by this method are approximately 400 μm2 in area

Investigating Effects Of Carbonate Minerals On Shale- Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Interactions In The Marcellus Shale

Natural gas extracted from tight shale formations, such as the Marcellus Shale, represent an important and developing front in energy exploration. By fracturing these formations using pressurized fracturing fluid, previously unobtainable hydrocarbon reserves may be tapped. While pursuing this resource hydraulic fracturing operations leave chemically complex fluids in the shale formation for at least two weeks. This provides a substantial opportunity for the hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) to react with the shale formation at reservoir temperature and pressure. In this study, we investigated the effects of the carbonates on shale-HFF reactions with a focus on the Marcellus Shale. We determined the effects of carbonate minerals on shale-HFF reactions by performing autoclave experiments at high reservoir temperature and pressure conditions using a carbonate-rich and carbonate free shale sample. We observed that carbonate minerals not only directly controlled the pH of the solution but also had a range of secondary effects on oxidizing efficacy of breakers, iron controlling ability of citric acid, mineral dissolution, and organic matter oxidation. As a consequence, the carbonate minerals had a broad influence on shale-HFF interactions. These interactions can potentially affect the shale porosity, the well’s microfracture integrity, and the release of heavy metals and volatile organic contaminants in the produced water released on the surface