Brazosport College

Companies are increasingly focused on driving the adoption of nature-based solutions across their organizations. Yet, implementing nature-based solutions within existing regulatory frameworks poses a unique set of challenges. In this paper, we present three nature-based solution case studies from The Dow Chemical Company and The Nature Conservancy's nearly 10-year collaboration. In the first case study, we focus on the potential benefits of reforestation to support the state's air quality improvement efforts. Ultimately, federal and state authorities did not approve of the reforestation project. Following this early setback, the collaboration team developed a suite of science-based tools that could be used to better advocate for government approval for the implementation of nature-based solutions. In the second case study, we highlight how one of these tools, the Ecosystem Services Identification & Inventory Tool, was used to improve communications about the benefits of nature-based solutions with regulatory agencies. In this case, Dow ultimately received approval for the restoration of a wetland to remediate an existing ash pond. Finally, the third case study highlights how engaging the right expertise through collaboration between the private sector and conservationists can improve land management strategies. Overall, this paper emphasizes the importance of robust conservation science, tools and expertise, and thoughtful collaboration as necessary means of driving the adoption of nature-based solutions both within a company and by its regulating entities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:74-81. © 2021 SETAC.

Abstract Multiphase particle in a cell simulation of fluidized beds for different Geldart group particles (A, B and D) were investigated. The minimum fluidization velocities predicted by the Barracuda Virtual Reactor® were compared and contrasted by theoretical predictions with the Wen‐Yu model. The optimal drag force coefficients based on the Wen‐Yu model for MP‐PIC simulations was further evaluated for different particle sizes and densities for Group A catalysts. A neural network model was constructed for the optimal model constants as a function of the explanatory variables for group A catalysts. This work illustrates the importance of choosing the correct value for the drag force coefficients to obtain realistic simulation results for fluidized beds. This work clearly demonstrates that the Barracuda simulation results are very sensitive to the value of the Wen‐Yu parameter. Using multiphase particle in cell simulations in conjunction with a neural network model can be directly used in further studies as a rapid tool to get the correct values for realistic drag force coefficients based on the Wen‐Yu model.

The City of Rosenberg, Texas, and the Brazosport Water Authority (BWA) came together to define a $52 million contracting and capital cost sharing scenario to design and construct a 40-mi large diameter water transmission pipeline and pump station facility to transmit potable surface water to the City of Rosenberg. The cost sharing scenario creates a win/win situation for member BWA cities as they will realize stabilization in their water rates with the City of Rosenberg becoming a contracting partner. The pipeline also accommodates other potential future growth in the region. Subsequent to construction, the City of Rosenberg will be in compliance with subsidence mandates through 2025 and have a sustainable and economical alternative water source that provides them with a unique economic development advantage relative to water rates of surrounding communities. The water transmission line is in the preliminary engineering and design phase, and is anticipated to begin the bid phase early in 2017. This presentation will discuss the challenges faced when designing a regional pipeline within a rural setting spanning multiple cities and counties. In order to begin field work, and even though Texas is a right-to-survey state, BWA made the decision to be a good neighbor and obtain Right of Entry to the private properties in which the potential easement(s) exist. In order to do this, GIS software utilized the Brazoria and Ft. Bend County appraisal districts’ data to obtain property ownership information. Land agents had to coordinate right of entry with over 60 private land owners for access to complete easement survey, environmental survey (including wetland delineation and Phase 1 ESA), and geotechnical field work. The 60+ landowners have over 100 tracts of land, which does not include road crossings or public rights-of-way. Additionally, in order to finalize survey data and develop easement documents for initial offer letters, title agents had to obtain title commitments in rural areas that have not had land transfers in over 100+ years. This proved to be a challenge, especially when determining ownership along a previously abandoned railroad corridor that spans approximately 10 mi of the pipeline alignment. Additionally, in order to finalize the easement location, multiple meetings and an extensive coordination effort was necessary to appease various stakeholders. Multiple drainage districts, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, TxDOT, large land owners and numerous oil and gas companies had to be consulted to discuss and approve the exact location of the easement and pipeline within the easement. Much of the coordination effort led to slight route adjustments, which led to additional field work and coordination efforts along the 40-mi stretch. Once all the coordination meetings were held, survey data was complete, and both historical and environmental impact studies were finalized, CDM Smith will finally be able to begin the design phase of the regional pipeline project. Parallel to design right-of-way agents will be negotiating easement terms with land owners. By December 2016 the various packages are anticipated to be under TCEQ review and ready for advertisement for bidding. This presentation will discuss the challenges faced between developing a plan to implement a regional pipeline system and turning that plan in to a final design reality for the BWA.

A comprehensive picture on the mechanism of the epoxy-carboxylic acid curing reactions is presented using the density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and simplified physical molecular models to examine all possible reaction pathways. Carboxylic acid can act as its own promoter by using the OH group of an additional acid molecule to stabilize the transition states, and thus lower the rate-limiting barriers by 45 kJ/mol. For comparison, in the uncatalyzed reaction, an epoxy ring is opened by a phenol with an apparent barrier of about 107 kJ/mol. In catalyzed reaction, catalysts facilitate the epoxy ring opening prior to curing that lowers the apparent barriers by 35 kJ/mol. However, this can be competed in highly basic catalysts such as amine-based catalysts, where catalysts can enhance the nucleophilicity of the acid by forming hydrogen-bonded complex with it. Our theoretical results predict the activation energy in the range of 71 to 94 kJ/mol, which agrees well with the reported experimental range for catalyzed reactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The generation of the novel messenger molecule nitric oxide (NO) has been demonstrated in many tissues across phyla including nervous systems. It is produced on demand by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase often stimulated by intracellular calcium and typically affecting guanylate cyclase thought to be its principal target in an auto and/or paracrine fashion. This results in the generation of the secondary messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Nitric oxide synthase has been demonstrated in various mollusk brains and manipulation of NO levels has been shown to affect behavior in mollusks. Apart from modulation of the effect of the peptide GSPYFVamide, there appears little published on direct or modulatory effects of NO on Helix aspersa central neurons. We present here initial results to show that NO can be generated in the region around F1 in the right parietal ganglion and that NO and cGMP directly hyperpolarize this neuron. For example, application of the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP; 200 µM) can cause a mean hyperpolarization of 41.7 mV, while 2 mM 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-bromo-cGMP) produced a mean hyperpolarization of 33.4 mV. Additionally, pre-exposure to NO-donors or cGMP appears to significantly reduce or even eliminates the normal hyperpolarizing K(+)-mediated response to dopamine (DA) by this neuron; 200 µM SNAP abolishes a standard response to 0.5 µM DA while 1 mM 8-bromo-cGMP reduces it 62%.

Abstract The measurement of the rheological behavior of viscoelastic melts is much more challenging than determining the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid, but reliable data on melts are essential for resin characterization, quality control, evaluating processability and for use in process simulation. This chapter describes the instruments and techniques used to learn about the rheological behavior of molten polymers. Rotational rheometers are used to obtain linear behavior but are of limited utility in exploring nonlinear behavior. Capillary rheometers are used to determine viscosity at moderate to high shear rates and to study the occurrence of flow instabilities and melt fracture. The extrusion plastometer, commonly called a melt indexer and widely used in the plastics industry, is a useful tool although not a true rheometer. The use of rheometers as process instruments and in high-throughput resin development is described. Finally, extensional rheometers for melts are described, and applications are discussed.KeywordsShear RateWall Shear StressWall SlipNormal Stress DifferenceRotational RheometerThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

We report a catalytic system that produces olefin block copolymers with alternating semicrystalline and amorphous segments, achieved by varying the ratio of alpha-olefin to ethylene in the two types of blocks. The system uses a chain shuttling agent to transfer growing chains between two distinct catalysts with different monomer selectivities in a single polymerization reactor. The block copolymers simultaneously have high melting temperatures and low glass transition temperatures, and therefore they maintain excellent elastomeric properties at high temperatures. Furthermore, the materials are effectively produced in economically favorable, continuous polymerization processes.