bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Algorithm-Assisted Platform Location Optmisation Using Mixed-Integer Programming for Cluster Development Strategy in the Gulf of Thailand
Authors: Ekkawong Peerapong , Loboonlert Parichat , Seusutthiya Krongpol , Wongpattananukul Kongphop , Laoniyomthai Nuntanut , Thapchim Jiraphas , Nasomsong Rutchanok , Satsue Tepporn , Charucharana Thanawat , Lhosupasirirat Kasidis
Published: October 2021

The unique characteristic of gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand is the compartmentalized reservoir that requires a huge number of producing wells. The task of locating platform locations for whole field perspectives that also meet all operational criteria while minimizing the number of needed platforms is challenging. This decisional task has a critical impact on project viability, especially for marginal fields. This paper proposes an innovative solution to strengthen success in this business decision by integrating subsurface domain knowledge and optimization algorithms.

This study presents an optimization algorithm for determining the optimal locations of wellhead platforms with limited numbers to maximize hydrocarbon resources. Firstly, the algorithm performs verification matching between wellhead locations and subsurface targets throughout the field under drilling criteria. Next, the optimal platform locations are optimized using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) with the primary objective of maximizing hydrocarbon resources. The algorithm literally runs with an increment in number of platforms until there is no incremental hydrocarbon resources gain and additionally summarizes the results as the number of platforms vs. coverage resources.

The algorithm has proven its viability by recommending more optimal platform locations in an actual field in the Gulf of Thailand. This algorithm-assisted workflow was able to reduce the number of required platforms. The main driver for this improved decision is that the MILP algorithm manage to improve well targeting and platform location selection under a large set of practical constraints. In contrast, manual workflow retains its limitations to consider them all.

This optimization also reduces the working time required for the whole process of well targeting and platform selection. Formerly, a typical workflow takes months of equivalent man-days. Conversely, this algorithm succeeded in completing the operation within just a few hours. Further, the subsurface team saved time by eliminating some repetitive tasks, i.e., they could focus on reviewing results extracted from the optimizer. Moreover, this work demonstrated the capability to extend and scaleup to other fields with similar concepts, which ultimately could lead to more benefits.

This innovative workflow translates the complicated subsurface procedure to a numerical optimization problem with a solid proven benefit from real field implementation. Apart from the positive business impact, this study shows that we can promote integration between modern data analytics and domain knowledge in oil and gas industry.
Unlocking Production Potential through Sand Management What–If Analysis in Digital Fields
Authors: Vo Nghia Tri , Hermann Roland , Fuenmayor Roberto
Published: October 2021

Sand production associated with oil and gas producers is one of the oldest problems in the industry and is typically in unconsolidated sandstone formations. The stresses caused by the fluids flowing into the wellbore are often sufficient to produce fine sand particles.

Sand production may cause operational problems such as disposal of produced sand, sand erosion of downhole and surface equipment, and loss of primary containment (LOPC), which is the most important reason for controlling sand production.

In actual field operation, a sand management program is usually implemented to manage sand challenges which limits to monitoring and basic analysis. The proposed sand management solution in this paper performs sensitivity analysis (known as what–if scenarios) using model–based sand erosion calculation to analyze different possible operating scenarios with the objective of preventing and minimizing sand issues.

The solution also helps to minimize risks related to well, facilities and avoiding cost or production losses due to sand production. It recommends the operational settings to achieve maximum production rates while ensuring operating within safe erosion limits and without sand deposition risk.
A Wellbore Pressure Calculation Method Considering Gas Suspension in Wellbore Shut-In Condition
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Sun Baojiang , Wang Zhiyuan , Pan Shaowei , Lou Wenqiang , Tong Shikun , Guo Bing
Published: October 2021

In the oil industry, the drilling fluid is yield stress fluid. The gas invading the wellbore during the drilling process is distributed in the wellbore in the form of bubbles. When the buoyancy of the bubble is less than the resistance of the yield stress, the bubble will be suspended in the drilling fluid, which will lead to wellbore pressure inaccurately predicting and overflow. In this paper, the prediction model of gas limit suspension concentration under different yield stresses of drilling fluids is obtained by experiments, and the calculation method of wellbore pressure considering the influence of gas suspension under shut-in conditions is established. Based on the calculation of the basic data of a case well, the distribution of gas in different yield stress drilling fluids and the influence of gas suspension on the wellbore pressure are analyzed. The results show that with the increase of yield stress, the volume of suspended single bubbles increases, the gas suspension concentration increases, and the height at which the gas can rise is reduced. When the yield stress of drilling fluid is 2 Pa, the increment of wellhead pressure decreases by 37.1% compared with that without considering gas suspension, and when the yield stress of drilling fluid is 10Pa, the increment of wellhead pressure can decrease by 78.6%, which shows that when the yield stress of drilling fluid is different, the final stable wellhead pressure is quite different. This is of great significance for the optimization design of field overflow and kill parameters, and for the accurate calculation of wellbore pressure by considering the suspension effect of drilling fluid on the invasion gas through the shut in wellhead pressure.
A Comprehensive Review of the Fourth Industrial Revolution IR 4.0 in Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Canbaz Celal Hakan , Aydin Hakki , Hosgor Bahar F. , Kayhan Deniz Yagmur , Moreno Raul
Published: October 2021

Digital transformation is one of the most discussed themes across the globe. The disruptive potential arising from the joint deployment of IoT, robotics, AI and other advanced technologies is projected to be over $300 trillion over the next decade. With the advances and implementation of these technologies, they have become more widely-used in all aspects of oil and gas industry in several processes. Yet, as it is a relatively new area in petroleum industry with promising features, the industry overall is still trying to adapt to IR 4.0. This paper examines the value that Industry 4.0 brings to the oil and gas upstream industry. It delineates key Industry 4.0 solutions and analyzes their impact within this segment. A comprehensive literature review has been carried out to investigate the IR 4.0 concept's development from the beginning, the technologies it utilizes, types of technologies transferred from other industries with a longer history of use, robustness and applicability of these methods in oil and gas industry under current conditions and the incremental benefits they provide depending on the type of the field are addressed. Real field applications are illustrated with applications indifferent parts of the world with challenges, advantages and drawbacks discussed and summarized that lead to conclusions on the criteria of application of machine learning technologies.
Reservoir Souring Prediction in Deepwater Reservoirs for Field Development Planning
Authors: Hanifah Mohd Azri , Panuganti Sai Ravindra , Zakaria Nur Atiqah , Kamarul Zaman Nur Hazrina , Tewari Raj Deo
Published: October 2021

A deep-water Field X with two major Reservoirs U and L discovered recently offshore Malaysia is on development for early production. The subsurface plan for the Field X includes water injection. But the presence of sulphate rich seawater can provide a favorable environment for souring activity to take place. This study evaluates the reservoir souring potential for the green Field X as a result of seawater flooding.

Reservoir souring is the increase of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration in produced reservoir fluids. As hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and corrosive gas, the production of H2S has a huge impact on the safety, infrastructure and facilities of the field. Whether a reservoir is susceptible to souring is dependent on a variety of factors. Some of these include water injection flow rate, temperature of the reservoir, presence of bacterial nutrients and rock minerology.

Effective prediction of biogenic reservoir souring using computer models is essential when undertaking major technical and economic decisions regarding field development. For H2S concentration calculation PETRONAS utilized in-house stand-alone modeling tool that considers physicochemical hydrodynamics of multiphase flow, heat transfer, substrate propagation and bacterial activity. The simulator looks at bacterial growth both in planktonic and sessile forms. Monod kinetics is applied for the growth of bacteria, leading to the consumption of sulphate and volatile fatty acids which in-turn is linked to H2S generation. Along with H2S propagation, H2S scavenging by rock and H2S partitioning between the various phases is also accounted for. The model can also deal with the effects of lift gas, reinjection of sour produced water, injection of biocide and nitrite. Since the Field X is a green field and historical production data is unavailable, the model is calibrated against the provided field development plan (FDP) data with sensitivity analysis.

The simulation runs show that the H2S breakthrough occurs before the end of production. The amount of H2S produced indicates that the risk of reservoir souring associated with seawater injection in U and L Reservoirs of the Field X is high. It is recommended to evaluate different reservoir souring preventive measures in combination with mitigative options in terms of chance of success, risks, and cost (CAPEX/OPEX) in the context of the Field X development plan.
Flow Assurance in Deep-Water Gas Pipelines: Locating Hydrate Plugging Position in a Fast Way
Authors: Yu Jing , Hui Cheng , Sun Chao Wen , Zou Zhan Ling , Zhuo Bin Lu , Chang Long , Liu Li , Wang Yuan Zhi , Zhang Bo Jian
Published: October 2021

Hydrate-associated issues are of great significance to the oil and gas sector when advancing the development of offshore reservoir. Gas hydrate is easy to form under the condition featuring depressed temperature and elevated pressure within deep-water gas pipeline. Once hydrate deposition is formed within the pipelines, the energy transmission efficiency will be greatly reduced.

An accurate prediction of hydrate-obstruction-development behavior will assist flow-assurance engineers to cultivate resource-conserving and environment-friendly strategies for managing hydrate. Based on the long-distance transportation characteristics of deep-water gas pipeline, a quantitative prediction method is expected to explain the hydrate-obstruction-formation behavior in deep-water gas pipeline throughout the production of deep-water gas well. Through a deep analysis of the features of hydrate shaping and precipitation at various locations inside the system, the advised method can quantitatively foresee the dangerous position and intensity of hydrate obstruction. The time from the start of production to the dramatic change of pressure drop brought about by the deposition of hydrate attached to the pipe wall is defined as the Hydrate Plugging Alarm Window (HPAW), which provides guidance for the subsequent hydrate treatment.

Case study of deep-water gas pipeline constructed in the South China Sea is performed with the advised method. The simulation outcomes show that hydrates shape and deposit along pipe wall, constructing an endlessly and inconsistently developing hydrate layer, which restricts the pipe, raises the pressure drop, and ultimately leads to obstruction. At the area of 700m-3200m away from the pipeline inlet, the hydrate layer develops all the more swiftly, which points to the region of high risk of obstruction. As the gas-flow rate increases, the period needed for the system to shape hydrate obstruction becomes less. The narrower the internal diameter of the pipeline is, the more severe risk of hydrate obstruction will occur. The HPAW is 100 days under the case conditions. As the concentration of hydrate inhibitor rises, the region inside the system that tallies with the hydrate phase equilibrium conditions progressively reduces and the hydrate deposition rate slows down.

The advised method will support operators to define the location of hydrate inhibitor injection within a shorter period in comparison to the conventional method. This work will deliver key instructions for locating the hydrate plugging position in a fast way in addition to solving the problem of hydrate flow assurance in deep-water gas pipelines at a reduced cost.
Pseudo Dry Gas Technology: Pathway to Decarbonisation of Energy Consumption for Remote Offshore Gas Fields
Authors: Ngo Tran Nguyet , Thomas Lee , Raghavendra Kavitha , Wood Terry
Published: October 2021

Transporting large volumes of gas over long distances from further and deeper waters remains a significant challenge in making remote offshore gas field developments technologically and economically viable. The conventional development options include subsea compression, floating topside with topside compression and pipeline tie-back to shore, or floating liquefied natural gas vessels. However, these options are CAPEX and OPEX intensive and require high energy consumption. Demand for a lower emission solution is increasingly seen as the growing trend of global energy transition.

Pseudo Dry Gas (PDG) technology is being developed by Intecsea, Worley Group and The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (Aberdeen) and tested in collaboration with Cranfield University. This is applied to develop stranded or remote gas reserves by removing fluids at the earliest point of accumulation at multiple locations, resulting in near dry gas performance. This technology aims to solve liquid management issues and subsequently allows for energy efficient transportation of the subsea gas enabling dramatic reductions in emissions. The PDG prototype tested using the Flow Loop facilities at Cranfield University has demonstrated the concept’s feasibility. Due to a greater amount of gas recovered with a much lower power requirement, the CO2 emissions per ton of gas produced via the PDG concept is by an order of magnitude lower than conventional methods. This study showed a reduction of 65% to 80% against standard and alternative near future development options.

The paper considers innovative technology and a value proposition for the Pseudo Dry Gas concept based on a benchmarked study of a remote offshore gas field. The basin was located in 2000m of water depth, with a 200km long subsea tie-back. To date the longest tieback studied was 350km. It focused on energy consumption and carbon emission aspects. The conclusion is that decarbonisation of energy consumption is technically possible and can be deployed subsea to help meet this future challenge and push the envelope of subsea gas tie-backs.
Activation of hypermethylated P2RY1 mitigates gastric cancer by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation
Authors: hua yinggang , liu yanling , li long , liu guoyan
Published: October 2021

Background
P2RY1 receptor is known to cause cancer by activating the ERK signal pathway, its DNA methylation status or even the corresponding regulatory mechanism remains unknown.
Methods
In this study, DNA methylation chip was used to profile the genome-wide DNA methylation level in gastric cancer tissues. Then validated by the bioinformatics analysis in the TCGA database, Immunohistochemistry staining data obtained from the HPA database to verify the difference in protein expression between normal tissues and tumor tissues .
Results
The promoter region of P2RY1 was found to be highly methylated with 4 hypermethylated sites (|Δβ value| >0.2) in diffuse gastric cancer and the expression level of P2RY1 is relatively low compared with non-cancerous tissues. We also showed that MRS2365, a selective agonist of the P2RY1 receptor, can induce phosphorylation of ERK1/2, inhibit cell proliferation/migration and induce apoptosis.
Conclusion
High DNA methylation in the promoter region of P2RY1 may have contributed to the reduced expression of P2RY1’s mRNA, which is likely responsible for the “aggressive” nature of the diffuse type gastric cancer.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-associated New-onset Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Retrospective Analysis Using the FAERS
Authors: Lu Difei , Yao Jun , Yuan Geheng , Gao Ying , Zhang Junqing , Guo Xiaohui
Published: October 2021

BackgroundOur study aimed to investigate the prevalence and demographic characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated primary adrenal insufficiency (ICI-PAI), and to explore the risk factors of clinical outcome using data from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).MethodsThis is a retrospective study. All cases of new-onset or newly-diagnosed primary adrenal insufficiency associated with FDA approved ICIs from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2020 were identified and collected using FAERS. Data of age, sex category, body weight of participated individuals, the reporting year and the prognosis of cases, and other accompanied endocrinopathies related to ICIs were analyzed. ResultsThe incidence of ICI-PAI was 1.03% (1180/114121). The application of the combination therapy of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 was related to higher risk of PAI compared with anti-PD-1 group (χ2=92.88, p<0.001). Male and elder individuals showed higher risk of ICI-PAI (male vs. female, 1.17% vs. 0.94%, χ2=12.55, p<0.001; age < 65 vs. ≥65, 1.20% vs. 1.41%, χ2=6.89, p=0.009). The co-occurrence rate of other endocrinopathies aside from PAI was 24.3%, which showed a higher trend in patients on nivolumab-ipilimumab treatment compared with those on PD-1 inhibitors (χ2=3.227, p=0.072). Body weight was negatively associated with the risk of death in the study population [p=0.033 for the regression model; B=-0.017, OR 0.984, 95%CI (0.969-0.998), p=0.029].ConclusionsICI-associated PAI is a rare but important irAE. Male and elder patients have higher risk of ICI-PAI. Awareness among clinicians is critical when patients with lower body weight develop PAI, which indicates poor clinical outcomes.
“Scuola Sicura”: a school screening program to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students in Piedmont, Italy
Authors: Farina Elena , Eboli Ilenia , Spadea Teresa , Saugo Carlo , Richiardi Lorenzo , Maule Milena , Presti Pietro , Bena Antonella
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesAims of “Scuola Sicura” (SS) were to monitor the rate of COVID-19 and to contain its spread within the school population through early case isolation. We report the initial process and outcome evaluation results.DesignDescriptive study of an experimental screening testing program in children in Piedmont in the period January-March 2021. We used data from the COVID-19 platform and the Local Health Units, the archives of birth certificates (CedAP) and hospital discharge files (SDO).Setting and participantsThe screening program targeted second and third grade students in first level secondary schools. Participants were subdivided into four groups; one group each week underwent screening, yielding one test per student per month.Main outcome measuresWe calculated:1. number of positive cases detected vs. total number of students tested in the SS program;2. number of positive cases detected outside the SS program vs. total number of students in the target population.We detected the number of quarantines due to SS and no-SS case identification. To investigate the spread of COVID-19 in households, the mother-child pairs were identified through record linkage between the CedAP and SDO archives, and positive mothers were identified.ResultsSixty-nine percent of schools and 19.5% of the students participated in the program. SS detected 114 positives cases for SARS-CoV-2. On 08.03.2021, the target classes started distance learning: 69 of the 114 positive students were identified before that date, leading to the activation of 67 quarantine measures. We were able to identify the mothers of 61 out of 69 of those students (88%); 46 mothers had performed a swab test after the positivity of their child with a positive result in 11 cases. Asymptomatic cases identified at screening during in-class learning period accounted for 26.5% of the total number of cases occurred in the participating classes.ConclusionsThis is one of the few studies (and the first in Italy) to describe the functioning and predictive capacity of school screening testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a real-world situation. Our findings provide data-driven suggestions for government agencies when planning large-scale school screening testing programs.
Sugary beverage intake and genetic risk in relation to brain structure and incident dementia: evidence from the UK Biobank
Authors: Chen Hui , Chen Jie , Cao Yaying , Sun Yuhao , Huang Liyan , Ji John S. , Voortman Trudy , Vernooij Meike W. , Shen Jie , Zheng Yan , Zong Geng , Yuan Changzheng
Published: October 2021

IntroductionThis study investigated the relation of sugary beverage (SB) intake to brain structure and dementia risk.MethodsAmong 187,994 UK Biobank participants, intake of SBs (one unit=250 mL) and specific subtypes was assessed using repeated 24-hr dietary recalls. Multivariable-adjusted hazard rations (HR) was estimated for incident dementia identified through medical records and death registries.ResultsDuring 1,790,996 person-years, 1,351 dementia cases were identified. Higher intake (>2 units/d v. none) of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) (HR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.13~1.92) and artificially-sweetened beverages (ASB) (HR=1.41, 1.00~1.99) was associated with an elevated dementia risk. Conversely, moderate intake of natural sweet juices (NSJ) (>0 and <=1 unit/d v. none) was related to a decreased risk (HR=0.80, 0.71~0.90). The associations were consistent with related brain structural markers and modified by genetic risks (P-interaction<0.002).DiscussionThese findings underscored that SSB and ASB could be risk factors of dementia, while moderate NSJ intake could potentially reduce dementia risk.
The Chloroplast Genomes Comparative Analysis of Taihangia Rupestris and Taihangia Rupestris Var. Ciliate, Two Endangered and Endemic Cliff Plants in Taihang Mountain of China
Authors: Zheng Yan , Jiang Yuan , Miao Yujing , Feng Zhan , Zhang Min , Zhang Xinke , Zeng Tiexin , Huang Linfang
Published: October 2021

The Taihangia is a native endangered cliff species that grows in the Taihang Mountains in China. The cp genomes with a whole length of 155,558 bp and 155,479 bp for Taihangia rupestris and Taihangia rupestris var. rupestris. They have 131 genes in total, covering 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA, and 4 rRNA. Analyses of codon usage, RNA-editing sites, repeat sequences, and comparison of cp genomes showed a high degree of conservation. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Taihangia are closed to the Geum. Taihangia genus was inferred to have originated at 0.2057 Mya, and Geum rupestre was inferred to have originated at 1.4431 Mya. Overall, the gene contents, gene arrangements, the types, and frequency of codon usage, repeat sequences, and SSRs are similar and highly conserved in the species of T. rupestris and T. rupestris var. ciliate. It is found that based on bioprospecting, T. rupestris and T. rupestris var. rupestris are potential medicinal resources. This study provides a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of endangered medicinal resources..
Impact of Delay in Adjuvant Chemoradiation on Survival in Resected Gastric Cancer
Authors: Arora Shalabh , Sharma Atul , Mohanti Bidhu Kalyan , Pathy Sushmita , Pramanik Raja , Deo Suryanarayana V S , Kumar Sunil , Pal Sujoy , Dash Nihar Ranjan , Shukla Nootan Kumar , Thulkar Sanjay , Raina Vinod
Published: October 2021

BackgroundAdjuvant chemo(radio)therapy is known to improve survival in resected gastric cancer. However, there is scant data on the effect of delay in start of adjuvant treatment (AT) after surgery, and guidelines regarding optimal timing are mostly empirical.MethodsIn this ambispective analysis, we evaluated the survival outcome of patients who underwent upfront curative intent radical gastrectomy followed by AT at our center from 2002 through 2019. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsTwo-hundred and thirty patients (median age 53 years) with stage I-III carcinoma stomach were included. Seventy-six percent patients underwent D2 lymphadenectomy; 12% received adjuvant chemotherapy alone while 88% received chemoradiotherapy. AT was initiated at a median 42 days after surgery; 17% started within 4 weeks, 55% between 4–8 weeks, and 28% after 8 weeks. Five-year RFS and OS for full cohort were 42.3±4.2% and 63.2±4.4%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, disease stage, ECOG performance status and time to AT emerged as significant predictors of RFS and OS while extent of lymphadenectomy, number of resected lymph nodes and margin positivity did not. Initiation of AT after 8 weeks was associated with significantly worse 5-year RFS (HR 2.28; 95% CI, 1.29–4.04; p=0.005) and OS (HR 2.65; 95% CI, 1.27–5.52; p=0.010).ConclusionsDelaying AT beyond 8 weeks after radical gastrectomy may be detrimental to disease recurrence and survival in patients with gastric cancer. If patients have adequately recovered, AT should preferably be initiated within 8 weeks of surgery.
Computational Screening of Secretory Proteins With Brain-Specific Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Sumera  , Amber Sanila , Mirza Fatima Javed , Ali Amjad , Zahid Saadia
Published: October 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a widely spread and fatal primary brain tumor with an increased risk of relapse in spite of aggressive treatment. The current procedures for GBM diagnosis include invasive procedures i.e. resection or biopsy to acquire tumor mass. Implementation of negligibly invasive tests as potential diagnostic technique and biofluid-based monitoring of GBM emphases on discovering biomarkers in CSF and blood. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive in silico analysis to identify potential circulating biomarkers for GBM. We screened 2145 brain-specific proteins through six gene and protein databases. The screened proteins were filtered using a channel of five tools to predict the secretory proteins. The expression profile of the secreted proteins was verified and searched in literature for their relationship with GBM, keeping special emphasis on secretome proteome. The study identified nine secretory proteins i.e. OPCML, NPTX1, LGI1, CNTN2, LY6H, SLIT1, CREG2, GDF1 and SERPINI1. The results indicate that these secretory proteins with brain-specific expression are associated with several cellular and molecular pathways that might be linked with GBM pathology. We propose that these secretory proteins can serve as circulating biomarker signatures of GBM and will facilitate the development of minimally invasive diagnostic methods and novel therapeutic interventions for GBM.
How Does the Care of the Disabled Elderly Affect the Caregiver’s Subjective Well-being?evidence From China Time Use Survey
Authors: Wang Huan , Guo Xi
Published: October 2021

The main goal of this research is to find a way to maintain the subjective well-being of caregivers of the disabled elderly. Ensuring proper leisure activity may become the key to solving this problem. Relying on data from the 2017 China Time Use Survey, this study finds that the care activities for the disabled elderly will reduce the caregivers’ subjective well-being through the squeeze of the caregivers’ leisure activities from the point of view of time use, and the caregivers with different individual characteristics have different impacts on the subjective well-being of feeling disabled elderly care activities. Therefore, from the perspective of time utilization, it is believed that social institutions take care of the disabled elderly, caregivers' housework activities, and improve the flexible working system, which have a positive effect on maintaining the caregivers' subjective well-being.
Explorative Investigation on Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Biodiesel blended with Ethanol and Hydrogen in Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engine and prediction through Artificial Neural Network
Authors: V Thanigaivelan , R Lavanya
Published: October 2021

Emission from the DI diesel engine is series setback for environment viewpoint. Intended for that investigates for alternative biofuel is persuaded. The important hitches with the utilization of biofuels and their blends in DI diesel engines are higher emanations and inferior brake-thermal efficiency as associated to sole diesel fuel. In this effort, Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) biodiesel, hydrogen and ethanol (BHE) mixtures remained verified in a direct-injection diesel engine with single cylinder to examine the performance and discharge features of the engine. The ethanol remained supplemented 5%, 10% and 15% correspondingly through enhanced CNSL as well as hydrogen functioned twin fuel engine. The experiments done in a direct injection diesel engine with single-cylinder at steadystate conditions above the persistent RPM (1500RPM). Throughout the experiment, emissions of pollutants such as fuel consumption rate (SFC), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and pressure of the fuel were also measured. cylinders. The experimental results show that, compared to diesel fuel, the braking heat of the biodiesel mixture is reduced by 26.79-24% and the BSFC diminutions with growing addition of ethanol from the CNSL hydrogen mixture. The BTE upsurges thru a rise in ethanol proportion with CNSL hydrogen mixtures. Finally, the optimum combination of ethanol with CNSL hydrogen blends led to the reduced levels of HC and CO emissions with trivial upsurge in exhaust gas temperature and NOx emissions. This paper reconnoiters the routine of artificial neural networks (ANN) to envisage recital, ignition and discharges effect.
Teratoid Wilms Tumor and Classical Wilms Tumor: A Retrospective Ten-year Single-center Study
Authors: wu wei , wu yibo , xu weijue , liu jiangbin , lv zhibao
Published: October 2021

BackgroundWilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal tumor in the pediatric population. Nevertheless, teratoid Wilms tumor (TWT) is a rare category of WT characterized by different tissue types, and fewer than 40 cases have been reported in the literature to date. Methods A total of 67 WT patients admitted in our hospital from 2010 to 2020, including 5 patients with TWT, were enrolled in this study. The clinical features, preoperative and postoperative chemotherapeutic regimens, intraoperative findings, histopathological information, as well as prognoses of the WT patients were evaluated. ResultsTWT cases were matched to classical WT cases at 1:3 for the comparison of various variables. 7.46% (5/67) of WT patients were diagnosed with TWT. the tumor volume was dramatically larger for patients with TWT than for those with classical WT (203.30 ± 109.89 cm3 vs. 104.30 ± 66.97 cm3). However, the tumor weight of the two groups was similar (471.00 ± 80.65 vs. 432.67 ± 109.25). ConclusionsOur data with the first reported Chinese children with TWT, preliminarily demonstrated that chemotherapy combined with surgery might be the appropriate treatment option for patients with WT, and prognoses of these patients differed sharply due to various stages. The density of TWT might be lower than that of classical WT. Future studies with more basic research to understand the biologic nature and theranostic markers of teratoid WT, may help us optimize the patient-tailored therapy of this rare type of WT.
Slope Stability Calculation Method of Highwall Mining with Open Cut Mines as an Example
Authors: Jiang Juyu , Lu Ye , Wang Dong , Han Xinping
Published: October 2021

Highwall mining machines have been used to recover retained coal at the toe of highwalls and endwalls over the past few decades. However, there has not been a universal method to evaluate the slope stability using highwall mining while maximizing the recovery rate. Based on the required service time of coal pillars, this study proposes the concept of the target time pillar strength. To obtain time-dependent parameters for the coal, time-dependent shear tests were performed on specimens from an open-cut mine in Inner Mongolia. The highwall mining length was divided into three categories based on discontinuous structural plane theory: goaf, yielding, and elastic zones. The three zones were considered to all have resistances against shear stress. The basal coal seam is likely to become weak due to weight from the overlying strata, which may change the slope failure mode from circular to sliding along the weak layer. Numerical modeling was used to study the influence of the overlying strata and target time strength on the yielding zone development at the coal pillar ribs. The coefficients of the three zones were determined and substituted into the Mohr-Coulomb equation to obtain the time-dependent shear strength parameters. Subsequently, the influence of highwall mining on the slope stability was evaluated using the rigid body-limit equilibrium method (LEM). The optimized coal pillar width is determined to maximize the recovery rate without compromising the slope stability.
The influence of memory on visual perception in infants, children, and adults
Authors: Jaffe-Dax Sagi , Potter Christine , Leung Tiffany , Emberson Lauren , Lew-Williams Casey
Published: October 2021

Perception is not an independent, in-the-moment event. Instead, perceiving involves integrating prior expectations with current observations. How does this ability develop from infancy through adulthood? We examined how prior visual experience shapes visual perception in infants, children, and adults. Using an identical task across age groups, we exposed participants to pairs of colorful stimuli and measured their ability to discriminate relative saturation levels. Results showed that adult participants were biased by previously-experienced exemplars, but exhibited weakened in-the-moment discrimination between different levels of saturation. In contrast, infants and children showed less influence of memory in their perception, and they actually outperformed adults in discriminating between current levels of saturation. Our findings suggest that as humans develop, their perception relies more on prior experience and less on current observation.
Pressure-induced monotonic enhancement of Tc to over 30 K in the superconducting Pr0.82Sr0.18NiO2 thin films
Authors: Wang Ningning , Yang Mingwei , Chen Keyu , Yang Zhen , Zhang Hua , Zhu Zhihai , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Dong Xiaoli , Sun Jianping , Jin Kuijuan , Cheng Jinguang
Published: October 2021

The successful synthesis of superconducting nickelate thin films with the highest Tc ~ 15 K has reignited great enthusiasms on this class of potential analogue to high-Tc cuprates suggested decades ago. To pursue higher Tc is always an important task in studying new superconductors. Here we report for the first time the effect of pressure on the superconducting properties of infinite-layer Pr0.82Sr0.18NiO2 thin films by measuring electrical resistivity under various pressures in a cubic anvil cell apparatus. We find that the onset of superconductivity, Tconset, can be enhanced monotonically from ~ 18 K at ambient pressure to ~ 31 K without showing signatures of saturation upon increasing pressure to 12.1 GPa in the presence of liquid pressure transmitting medium. This encouraging result indicates that the Tc of infinite-layer nickelates superconductors can be further raised up by applying higher pressures or strain engineering in the heterostructure films. In addition to the pressure effect, we also discussed the influence of stress/strain on the superconducting properties of the nickelate thin films.
Empirical evidence on the efficiency of bidirectional contact tracing in COVID-19
Authors: Raymenants Joren , Geenen Caspar , Nelissen  , Gorissen Sarah , André Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

Despite ubiquitous rollout of contact tracing to counteract the spread of COVID-19, few countries have been spared from widespread community transmission, highlighting the need for more effective tracing strategies1,2﻿. Standard contact tracing practice identifies, quarantines and tests persons exposed to an infected person during the contagious period, assumed to start two days before symptom onset or diagnosis3,4. Backward contact tracing intends to identify the source of the infection and persons infected by the same source, either by extending the contact tracing window or investigating suspected source events. These approaches have shown promise in modelling studies, but lack empirical data supporting their efficiency5–7. In the first large cohort study on backward contact tracing for COVID-19, we found that extending the contact tracing window backward by 5 days increased the number of identified contacts by 49.2%. The risk of infection amongst these additional contacts was similar to contacts exposed during the standard tracing window and significantly higher than symptomatic individuals in a control group, leading to an increase of 42.0% in cases identified through contact tracing. The risk was not limited to attendees of suspected source events. Our results imply an urgent need to implement backward contact tracing globally.
A search for a stochastic archetype of quantum probability
Authors: Jenkins Tim C
Published: October 2021

Superposed wavefunctions in quantum mechanics lead to a squared amplitude that introduces interference into a probability density, which has long been a puzzle because interference between probability densities exists nowhere else in probability theory. In recent years Man’ko and co-authors have successfully reconciled quantum and classical probability using a symplectic tomographic model. Nevertheless, there remains an unexplained coincidence in quantum mechanics, namely that mathematically the interference term in the squared amplitude of superposed wavefunctions has the form of a variance of a sum of correlated random variables and we examine whether there could be an archetypical variable behind quantum probability that provides a mathematical foundation that observes both quantum and classical probability directly. The properties that would need to be satisfied for this to be the case are identified, and a generic variable that satisfies them is found that would be present everywhere, transforming into a process-specific variable wherever a quantum process is active. This hidden generic variable appears to be such an archetype.
Obituary: Graham Dickason (1936-2020)
Authors: Gordon Sue
Published: October 2021

Graham was born in Johannesburg in 1936, attended Jeppe Boys High, worked in Foreign Audit, Rhodesia Railways, Bulawayo (1954-1957) and then went to London (1957-1960) where he worked for a private merchant bank. On his return he became PA to the Mining Director and an Investment Analyst at JCI (1960-1967). He was General Manager of MPF Investment, the mining industry pension fund (1967-1998) and was Chairman and co-founder of City Lodge Hotels, 1985-1994.
Obituary: Merwynne Twentyman Jones
Authors: Howard Heather
Published: October 2021

One of this area’s most enthusiastic amateur genealogists and historians was lost to us when Merwynne Twentyman Jones died peacefully at Damant Lodge on 10 February 2021, aged 85.
William John Burchell, multi-skilled polymath
Authors: Stewart Roger
Published: October 2021

Two hundred and ten years ago, 29-year-old William John Burchell stepped on to the wooden jetty near Cape Town's Castle and immediately started planning his journey of scientific exploration of southern Africa. This would take four years, mostly by ox-wagon, and cover 7000km. On 19 June 1811, he departed Cape Town '’with a mind free from prejudice'’ and “solely for the purpose of acquiring knowledge” …He travelled to about 150 km north of Kuruman, explored the Ky-Gariep (Vaal) River and returned to Cape Town via Graaff-Reinet, the mouth of the Great Fish River, Uitenhage, Mossel Bay and Swellendam...
Performance evaluation using the CAMELS model: A comparative study of local commercial banks in Qatar and Kuwait
Authors:   Ph.D. Candidate, Károly Ihrig Doctoral School of Management and Business, University of Debrecen, Hungary, Abuzarqa Rawan , Tarnóczi Tibor ,   Ph.D., Associate Professor, Institute of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Hungary
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, the banking system is undergoing significant changes. Digitalization that appears in Industry 4.0 also pioneers in the banking system, so we can also talk about Bank 4.0 as a new development direction. In this shift in the digital age, it becomes even more critical to examine the performance of banks. The case study approach was based on an attempt to diagnose the performance of a sample of local commercial banks in Qatar and Kuwait based on their financial statements for the period 2013–2017, and approve the existing accounting data as sources for the financial analysis process, by using essential financial analysis tools such as financial ratios. The output of the analysis was used to measure performance. All this is applicable when using the CAMELS rating model to evaluate the financial performance of the banking sector. The results show statistically significant differences between countries for four factors (Asset quality, Management efficiency, Earnings quality and Sensitivity) and none for the remaining two (Capital adequacy and Liquidity management) because the significant level is higher than 5%. However, the two factors with no significant differences are vital to the prudent operation of banks, mainly that Qatari banks perform better than Kuwaiti banks.
Factors and Benefits that Affect Lender's Interest in Giving Loans in Peer to Peer (P2P) Lending Platform
Authors: Dharmastuti Christiana Fara , Laurentxius Jonathan
Published: October 2021

Financial technology (fintech) is a combination of the financial industry and technology. One of the uses of fintech is the Peer to Peer (P2P) lending platform, which is a funding channel. This platform is an investment alternative that can increase borrowers' and investors' prosperity. However, P2P also has a high risk that must be considered. Lenders or investors must conduct a loan application feasibility study before giving a loan. The research examined the impact of Character, Capital, Capacity, Collateral (4C) and the benefits that lenders received, as well as the benefits of fintech on lenders' interest in placing their funds on the P2P lending platform. Data were obtained from questionnaires distributed to P2P lending users. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The total number of respondents who returned the questionnaire was 70 respondents. However, only 53 data could be used in the research. Then, the data were analyzed using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results show that the 4C factors do not significantly affect the lenders' interest in giving loans. Meanwhile, the benefits and fintech have a significant direct impact. Fintech cannot act as a moderator variable in this model. P2P companies must provide complete information and credit analysis regarding borrowers' conditions to reduce lenders' potential risk.
Economic Growth, Poverty, Urbanization, and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia: Analysis of Cointegration and Causality
Authors: Jauhari Hadi , Periansya Periansya
Published: October 2021

In Indonesia, poverty is still considered a serious problem, even though the number of poor people continues to decline significantly. The research aimed to investigate whether there was cointegration between the role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), economic growth, and poverty alleviation or not in Indonesia.  Secondary data were compiled from annual data in 2000-2019. Data analysis applied the cointegration test and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) test. The results show a one-way causality between poverty and economic growth, urbanization and economic growth, the role of SMEs and economic growth, and the role of SMEs and poverty. In addition, the results of the VECM analysis suggest that the role of SMEs has a positive effect on poverty in the first year. It means that it takes a year to find out the impact of the increasing role of SMEs on poverty at the later stage. The research has several implications for government, namely: (i) compiling work programs that touch the community directly and strengthen the development of local wisdom products, (ii) conducting more intense training, (iii) emphasizing on improving the quality and standards of local wisdom products, and (iv) building rural infrastructure that can facilitate the economic processes in the village.
Mathematical Modeling on the Control of Hunting Problems
Authors: Tjahjana Redemtus Heru , Mahardika Dhimas
Published: October 2021

Modeling a natural phenomenon or the action mechanism of a tool is often done in science and technology. Observations through computer simulations cost less relatively. In the research, a bullet control model moving towards the target was explored. The research aimed to try to simulate the trajectory of the bullet that could be controlled in hunting. To model a controlled bullet, the Dubins model was used. Then, the used approach was control theory. The optimal trajectory and control for bullets were designed using the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. The results show that with this principle and the dynamic system of the bullet, a system of differential equations and adjoining is obtained. The fundamental problem arises because the bullet dynamics model in the form of a differential equation system has initial and final requirements. However, the adjoint matching system has no conditions at all. This problem is solved by using numerical methods. In addition, the research proves the convergence of the calculation results with the required results. The track simulation results are also reported at the end of the research to ensure a successful control design. From the simulation results, the presented method with its convergence has successfully solved the problem of bullet control.