The key to producing gas from tight gas reservoirs is to create a long, highly conductive flow path, via the placement of a hydraulic fracture, to stimulate flow from the reservoir to the wellbore. Viscous fluid is used to transport proppant into the fracture. However, these same viscous fluids need to break to a thin fluid after the treatment is over so that the fracture fluid can be cleaned up. In shallower, lower temperature (less than 250oF) reservoirs, the choice of a fracture fluid is very critical to the success of the treatment. Current hydraulic fracturing methods in unconventional tight gas reservoirs have been developed largely through ad-hoc application of low-cost water fracs, with little optimization of the process. It seems clear that some of the standard tests and models are missing some of the physics of the fracturing process in low-permeability environments. A series of the extensive laboratory “dynamic fracture conductivity” tests have been conducted. Dynamic fracture conductivity is created when proppant slurry is pumped into a hydraulic fracture in low permeability rock. Unlike conventional fracture conductivity tests in which proppant is loaded into the fracture artificially, we pump proppant/ fracturing fluid slurries into a fracture cell, dynamically placing the proppant just as it occurs in the field. Test results indicate that increasing gel concentration decreases retained fracture conductivity for a constant gas flow rate and decreasing gas flow rate decreases retained fracture conductivity. Without breaker, the damaging effect of viscous hydraulic fracturing fluids on the conductivity of proppant packs is significant at temperature of 150oF. Static conductivity testing results in higher retained fracture conductivity when compared to dynamic conductivity testing.

It is important to assess and communicate the risk to life and downtime associated with earthquake induced damage to structures. Thus, a previously developed four-diagram/four-step approach to assess direct losses associated with structural damage, a similar quantitative risk assessment technique is used to examine the indirect loss associated with death and downtime. The four-step approach is subdivided into four distinct tasks: (a) Hazard analysis, (b) Structural analysis, (c) Loss analysis of both direct and indirect losses and (d) The total loss estimation due to damage, death and downtime. This empirically calibrated model in the form of power curve is used by establishing losses corresponding to onset of damage state 5 (complete damage) and limiting upper losses. The utility of the approach is investigated for the bridges in both California and New Zealand regions with different detailing. Results show that death related losses for bridges are generally twice and downtime five times the direct damage losses. Thus, it is concluded that structures should be designed for more than just acceptable physical damage. It is shown that a marked improvement can be made by moving to a comprehensive damage avoidance design paradigm.

The key to producing gas from tight gas reservoirs is to create a long, highly conductive flow path, via the placement of a hydraulic fracture, to stimulate flow from the reservoir to the wellbore. Viscous fluid is used to transport proppant into the fracture. However, these same viscous fluids need to break to a thin fluid after the treatment is over so that the fracture fluid can be cleaned up. In shallower, lower temperature (less than 250°F) reservoirs, the choice of a fracture fluid is very critical to the success of the treatment. Current hydraulic fracturing methods in unconventional tight gas reservoirs have been developed largely through ad-hoc application of low-cost water fracs, with little optimization of the process. It seems clear that some of the standard tests and models are missing some of the physics of the fracturing process in low-permeability environments. A series of the extensive laboratory "dynamic fracture conductivity" tests have been conducted. Dynamic fracture conductivity is created when proppant slurry is pumped into a hydraulic fracture in low permeability rock. Unlike conventional fracture conductivity tests in which proppant is loaded into the fracture artificially, we pump proppant/ fracturing fluid slurries into a fracture cell, dynamically placing the proppant just as it occurs in the field. Test results indicate that increasing gel concentration decreases retained fracture conductivity for a constant gas flow rate and decreasing gas flow rate decreases retained fracture conductivity. Without breaker, the damaging effect of viscous hydraulic fracturing fluids on the conductivity of proppant packs is significant at temperature of 150°F. Static conductivity testing results in higher retained fracture conductivity when compared to dynamic conductivity testing.

Thesis (DClinPsychol)--Salomons Centre. BLDSC no. DXN049059.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-220). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2001. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-115). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Field and laboratory experiments were done to quantify the effects of high temperature and low soil moisture on the mortality of the immature stages of the carrot fly (Psila rosae F.). Field experiments related fly numbers to egg density and determined the period within each 8-10 week fly generation that resulted in most crop damage at harvest. Population monitoring: From 1995-1998, all stages of the carrot fly were monitored. No third fly generation was observed and no first-instar larvae were found after the end of September. Periods of high mortality were identified. [~gg mortality: Mortality was related linearly to the mean maximum soil temperature at 1 cm depth during egg development (m = 8.4t -167.3; m = % mortality, t = temperature). Under controlled conditions, eggs in dry soil died sooner at higher temperatures (>25°C) than eggs in moist soil. Fully developed eggs were more susceptible to adverse abiotic conditions than newly-laid eggs. Larval mortality: Up to 90% of first-instar larvae were killed by low soil moisture in the field. This mortality was related to the length of time larvae were exposed to dry soil conditions (m = 2.6 + 17.6d; m = % mortality, d = no. of days in dry soil). Relationship between numbers offlies and egg density: A linear relationship (e = 0.32 + 0.89[; e = log no. eggs, f = log no. flies) was identified between the numbers of carrot flies caught on sticky traps and the numbers of fly eggs recovered from carrot crops. Critical egg-laying period: Within a generation, the critical egg-laying period when most damage was caused was between 10-20 days. This coincided with the peak in fly numbers. Rearing method: A robust rearing method was developed for producing a regular supply of adults. Approximately 50% of eggs inoculated onto growing carrots gave rise to pupae.

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APLF is a forkhead associated (FHA) domain-containing protein with unique poly(ADP)-ribose (PAR)-binding zinc finger (PBZ) domains that are involved in the DNA damage response. The interaction of the APLF PBZ domains with PAR is essential for the rapid recruitment of APLF to sites of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), while the FHA domain facilitates non-homologous end-joining. In response to ionizing radiation (IR), APLF is phosphorylated at Serine-116 (APLFS116), although the function of this post-translational modification has yet to be defined. Here we provide a detailed characterization of the IR-induced and ATM- dependent phosphorylation of endogenous APLF at Serine-116 in the context of DNA damage. We additionally examine a novel APLF FHA-dependent interaction with 53BP1 (p53 Binding protein 1). Together, we illustrate that APLFS116 phosphorylation is dependent upon both the tandem PBZ domains, as well as the FHA-domain, and that the depletion of either PARP3 or 53BP1, similarly affected APLFS116 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we show that DSB-repair was compromised in cells expressing the APLFS116A mutation. Collectively, our findings provide a detailed understanding of the molecular pathway that leads to the phosphorylation of APLF following DNA damage and suggest that APLFS116 phosphorylation facilitates APLF-dependent DSB repair.