bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decrease of coherence between the respiration and parasympathetic control of the heart rate with aging
Authors: Ponomarenko V. I. , Karavaev A. S. , Borovkova E. I. , Hramkov A. N. , Kiselev A. R. , Prokhorov M. D. , Penzel T.
Published: July 2021

The study of coordinated behavior between different systems of the human body provides useful information on the functioning of the body. The peculiarities of interaction and coordinated dynamics of the heart rate and respiration are of particular interest. We investigated the coherence of the processes of respiration and autonomic control of the heart rate for people of different ages in the awake state, in sleep with rapid eye movement, and in deep sleep. Our analysis revealed a monotonic decrease in the coherence of these processes with increasing age. This can be explained by age-related changes in the system of autonomic control of circulation. For all age groups, we found a qualitatively similar dynamics of the coherence between the studied processes during a transition from the awake state to sleep.
Inertial microfluidics in contraction–expansion microchannels: A review
Authors: Jiang Di , Ni Chen , Tang Wenlai , Huang Di , Xiang Nan
Published: July 2021

Inertial microfluidics has brought enormous changes in the conventional cell/particle detection process and now become the main trend of sample pretreatment with outstanding throughput, low cost, and simple control method. However, inertial microfluidics in a straight microchannel is not enough to provide high efficiency and satisfying performance for cell/particle separation. A contraction–expansion microchannel is a widely used and multifunctional channel pattern involving inertial microfluidics, secondary flow, and the vortex in the chamber. The strengthened inertial microfluidics can help us to focus particles with a shorter channel length and less processing time. Both the vortex in the chamber and the secondary flow in the main channel can trap the target particles or separate particles based on their sizes more precisely. The contraction–expansion microchannels are also capable of combining with a curved, spiral, or serpentine channel to further improve the separation performance. Some recent studies have focused on the viscoelastic fluid that utilizes both elastic forces and inertial forces to separate different size particles precisely with a relatively low flow rate for the vulnerable cells. This article comprehensively reviews various contraction–expansion microchannels with Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids for particle focusing, separation, and microfluid mixing and provides particle manipulation performance data analysis for the contraction–expansion microchannel design.
Geological and Bioregional Assessments: assessing direct and indirect impacts using causal networks
Authors: Peeters Luk J. M. , Holland Kate , Huddlestone-Holmes Cameron R.
Published: July 2021

The Geological and Bioregional Assessment (GBA) Program assesses the potential impacts of shale, tight and deep coal gas development on water and the environment. The cause-and-effect relationships that allow unconventional gas resource development activities to lead to an impact on environmental values are often interrelated, leading to both direct and indirect impacts. The GBA Program developed an impact assessment methodology based on causal networks that explicitly map out these cause-and-effect relationships, including all direct and indirect impacts. This network approach is coupled with a spatially explicit, systematic evaluation of the likelihood, consequence, control and mitigation strategy for each cause-and-effect relationship. Combining these evaluations based on the network structures identifies which activities could lead to potential impacts. The assessment identifies where more detailed local-scale assessments, management and monitoring should focus, as well as where impacts are unlikely to occur.
Using digital twins and data analytics to make informed operational decisions – a centrifugal compressor case study
Authors: Jones Andy , Marshment Denis
Published: July 2021

An Australian operator with an expansive portfolio of liquefied natural gas, pipeline gas and oil assets wanted to gain greater visibility of how their compressor fleet was operating. To help the operator gain a greater understanding of the performance of their assets, Worley Digital built digital twins of 17 of their compressors. This involved detailed first principle calculations supported by hundreds of thousands of offline simulations. This created the thermodynamic correlations necessary to accurately model the most important operating statistics surrounding each stage of those assets. We then used dimensional analysis and data analytics to benchmark the operation of these machines. This represents a hybrid approach; first principles engineering and simulation coupled with data science and analytics. A suite of tools was then delivered to the operator in their preferred real-time data analytics and visualisation platform, providing them with information about the efficiency of their compressors. They were then able to perform net present value calculations based on different operating and maintenance strategies. This gave them the detailed information they needed in order to be able to make more informed decisions. An example of this might be a decision to bring a scheduled maintenance activity forward based on the knowledge that there are net operational and financial incentives to do so. The resulting tool has proved extremely valuable, quantifying some business-critical metrics that have led to several financially impactful operational decisions.
Establishing principles in digital transformation through comparative analysis of frameworks and development strategies in platform/coding development for consulting
Authors: Lim Nigel , Lim Lucas , Tanuwibawa Dyota
Published: July 2021

The industry continues to increase its utilisation of early phase and pre-execution engineering activities to provide higher-detailed solutions to reduce risks in execution. To meet this challenge, field development and engineering (concept, front-end and detailed design) have focused on digital transformation to increase their value-adding proposition. Organisations must now develop strategies to guide this digital transformation. The realities and opportunities of achieving digital transformation are demonstrated here through a comparative analysis of execution strategies (agile, on-project, stand-alone product), software/coding frameworks and discipline (field development, designand business management). These will reference successful developments of digital applications which cover the range of subjects above. The comparative analysis will present the technical and business challenges associated with digital transformations, such as the upskilling hump, complexity versus flexibility, initial scoping, data structure integration and cost-effective idea development strategies, as these challenges in implementation continue to propagate through future development. This study will also discuss the application of these alternate strategies/approaches and investigate whether we should be demanding all our workforce be familiar with current industry favourite full-code frameworks (Python, Javascript) or low-code frameworks (Microsoft Power Platform, SalesForce) to create value in everyday work. The comparative analysis will demonstrate how details within the above subjects can significantly affect the outcomes and costs of digitalisation initiatives. Finally, the study establishes key lessons learned and principles to guide the petroleum sector in this digital transformation.
Application of battery energy storage systems in industrial facilities
Authors: Sharafizad Hamed
Published: July 2021

For any facility, reliability and availability of power are key. Traditional gas- or diesel-driven power generation designs for facilities rely on generated spinning reserve to achieve power system stability and availability for defined operational scenarios and expected transients. Spinning reserve is extra generating capacity that is usually introduced by running additional power generator(s). Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) as energy storage units provide for a virtual spinning reserve in a hot standby arrangement to achieve the same effect for a set period during operating scenarios and transient events. Use of BESS technology is becoming more frequent within electrical network systems, remote sites and industrial facilities on the back of improved battery technology. This lends itself to better BESS reliability, effectiveness and lower associated cost to procure and install. Many of Clough’s projects are remote and islanded where they need to be self-sufficient, generating and distributing their own power needs. BESS units are scalable energy storage systems that can be used as a part of power generation solutions for facilities installed onshore or offshore. In addition to supplementing the primary generation on a facility as static storage units, BESS units offer benefits such as reduced emissions on facilities by not burning fossil fuels to achieve spinning reserve; they also allow for power management of generation systems, store any excess power from primary generators, allow for integration of renewables, offer constructability benefits and reduced operational/maintenance costs. The commercial and environmental benefits of BESS units are key drivers in Clough’s decision to embrace their use on future projects.
How CFIHOS can help you recover from COVID-19
Authors: Townson Peter
Published: July 2021

This paper is not published as no presentation was made at the APPEA 2021 Conference.
Detection of methane fugitive emissions using drones
Authors: Gargiulo Grazia
Published: July 2021

Detecting methane fugitive emissions from infrastructures is an important task for the oil and gas industry safety and asset management. The current methodology relies on driving surveys using vehicles equipped with different sensors. However, this approach has limitations due to the technical characteristics of the commercially available methane detectors and the specific difficulty for a vehicle to safely and reliably cover certain terrains. Additionally, for an extended asset network like pipelines, the gathering of data relies on long distance driving and sometimes in remote areas. Terra Sana Consultants Pty Ltd (TSC) developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, mounted with a laser sensor able to detect surface fugitive emissions associated with oil and gas operations and clearly geo-reference methane emission. This technology enables a more targeted risk assessment approach with the objectives to improve the emission flux calculations across the scale of a typical oil and gas site thus reducing uncertainty and to thereby plan meaningful remediation actions.
New insights into the deep-water Otway Basin – Part 1. Integrated depth imaging workflows unravelling the subsurface
Authors: Lee Si Ying , Lim Bee Jik , Anantan Arwindran , Karvelas Alexander
Published: July 2021

The Otway Basin is a northwest-southeast trending passive margin rift basin over 500km long and forms part of the Jurassic-Cretaceous Australian Southern Rift System. Exploration for oil and gas has, to date, focused on the onshore shelfal portions targeting thick early Cretaceous depocentres. Outboard, under deep-water areas, potential hydrocarbon resources in thick late Cretaceous depocentres remain significantly under-explored, with limited sparse legacy 2D seismic lines and no wells drilled to date. As a result, little is known about the potential continuation of the proven hydrocarbon plays, or indeed the presence of new plays, in the outboard areas. The 2020 Otway Basin seismic program was carried out with the key objectives being to infill data gaps outboard through the acquisition of new 2D seismic lines and improve the quality of legacy datasets inboard through reprocessing. A comprehensive broadband processing and depth imaging workflow was designed to address the inherent subsurface challenges that have inhibited legacy imaging campaigns. The results of this seismic program are improving the interpretability of the full stratigraphic sequence whilst also unravelling deeper crustal elements. This is providing a better understanding of the distribution of regional stratigraphic sequences, both laterally across the basin, and from the shelf to deep-water areas for the first time. As a result, new insights are being gained on both the basin evolution and potential for working petroleum systems.
Late Permian–Early Triassic depositional history in the southern Bonaparte Basin: new biostratigraphic insights into reservoir heterogeneity
Authors: Owens R. , Kelman A. , Khider K. , Bernecker T. , Bradshaw B.
Published: July 2021

The upper Permian to Lower Triassic sedimentary succession in the southern Bonaparte Basin represents a marginal marine depositional system that hosts several gas accumulations. Of these, the Blacktip gas field has been in production since 2009, while additional gas resources are under consideration for development. The sedimentary succession extends across the Permian–Triassic stratigraphic boundary, and shows a change in lithofacies from the carbonate dominated Dombey Formation to the siliciclastic dominated Tern and Penguin formations. The timing, duration, distribution and depositional environments of these formations in the Petrel Sub-basin and Londonderry High is the focus of this study. The sedimentary succession extending from the Dombey to the Penguin formations is interpreted to represent marginal marine facies which accumulated during a long-lasting marine transgression that extended over previous coastal and alluvial plain sediments of the Cape Hay Formation. The overlying Mairmull Formation represents the transition to fully marine deposition in the Early Triassic. Regional scale well correlations and an assessment of biostratigraphic data indicate that marginal marine depositional systems were initiated outboard before the end-Permian extinction event, and migrated inboard at about the Permian–Triassic stratigraphic boundary. Marginal marine deposition across the southern Bonaparte Basin continued through the faunal and floral recovery phase as Triassic species became established. The depositional history of the basin is translated to a chronostratigraphic framework which has implications for predicting the character and distribution of petroleum system elements in the Petrel Sub-basin and Londonderry High.
Distribution and estimates of Australia's identified energy commodity resources
Authors: Bradshaw Barry E. , Orr Meredith L. , Bernecker Tom
Published: July 2021

Australia is endowed with abundant, high-quality energy commodity resources, which provide reliable energy for domestic use and underpin our status as a major global energy provider. Australia has the world’s largest economic uranium resources, the third largest coal resources and substantial conventional and unconventional natural gas resources. Since 2015, Australia’s gas production has grown rapidly. This growth has been driven by a series of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects on the North West Shelf, together with established coal seam gas projects in Queensland. Results from Geoscience Australia’s 2021 edition of Australia’s energy commodity resources assessment highlight Australia’s endowment with abundant and widely distributed energy commodity resources. Knowledge of Australia’s existing and untapped energy resource potential provides industry and policy makers with a trusted source of data to compare and understand the value of these key energy commodities to domestic and world markets. A key component of Australia’s low emissions future will be the development of a hydrogen industry, with hydrogen being produced either through electrolysis of water using renewable energy resources (‘green’ hydrogen), or manufactured from natural gas or coal gasification, with carbon capture and storage of the co-produced carbon dioxide (‘blue’ hydrogen). Australia’s endowment with abundant natural gas resources will be a key enabler for our transition to a low emissions future through providing economically competitive feedstock for ‘blue’ hydrogen.
Green pivot: can Australia master the hydrogen trade?
Authors: Sharma Prakash , Gallagher Benjamin , Sultoon Jonathan
Published: July 2021

Australia is in a bind. It is at the heart of the pivot to clean energy: it contains some of the world’s best solar irradiance and vast potential for large-scale carbon capture and storage; it showed the world the path forward with its stationary storage flexibility at the much vaunted Hornsdale power reserve facility; and it moved quickly to capitalise on low-carbon hydrogen production. Yet it remains one of the largest sources for carbon-intensive energy exports in the world. The extractive industries are still delivering thermal coal for power generation and metallurgical coal for carbon-intensive steel making in Asian markets. Even liquefied natural gas’s green credentials are being questioned. Are these two pathways compatible? The treasury and economy certainly benefit. But there is a huge opportunity to redress the source of those funds and jobs, while fulfilling the aspirations to reach net zero emissions by 2050. In our estimates, the low-carbon hydrogen economy could grow to become so substantial that 15% of all energy may be ultimately ‘carried’ by hydrogen by 2050. It is certainly needed to keep the world from breaching 2°C. Can Australia master the hydrogen trade? It is believed that it has a very good chance. Blessed with first-mover investment advantage, and tremendous solar and wind resourcing, Australia is already on a pathway to become a producer of green hydrogen below US$2/kg by 2030. How might it then construct a supply chain to compete in the international market with established trading partners and end users ready to renew old acquaintances? Its route is assessed to mastery of the hydrogen trade, analyse critical competitors for end use and compare costs with other exporters of hydrogen.
Basin-to-prospect-scale subsurface characterisation: new insights into the Exmouth Sub-basin, North West Shelf, Australia
Authors: Kholiq Abdul , Jacob Claire , Lim Bee Jik , Schenk Oliver , Mukherjee Anubrati , Karvelas Alex
Published: July 2021

The Exmouth Sub-basin represents part of the intracratonic rift system of the northern Carnarvon Basin, Australia. Hydrocarbon exploration has resulted in the discovery of a variety of oil and gas accumulations, mainly in Upper Triassic, Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous intervals. Recent 3D petroleum systems modelling aided in understanding the interaction of the complex basin evolution and hydrocarbon charge history, shedding light on the variety and distribution of hydrocarbon types encountered, whilst also highlighting future remaining potential in both proven and untested plays. As a result of this modelling, the Exmouth Subsurface Characterisation Study was commissioned to further leverage >12000km2of recently acquired and processed seismic data and integrate data from specifically conditioned wells from across the Exmouth Sub-basin. The primary study objective was to better understand the distribution of lithologies across the basin, with focus upon the reservoir presence and properties over proven and potential deeper sections. Furthermore, given the variety of hydrocarbon types encountered, this study set out to understand the amplitude behaviour of these types within the different reservoirs. Collectively, these results have aided in identifying analogous hydrocarbon amplitude responses across the basin, derisking identified plays, prospects and existing discoveries and fields whilst also identifying new plays and leads.
Keeping the workforce healthy and safe during COVID-19 at Woodside
Authors: Anderson Theo
Published: July 2021

Keeping the workforce healthy and safe during COVID-19 required extraordinary responses from Australian extractive industries. Woodside maintained safe and reliable operations using a collaborative and principle driven approach to health and safety leadership to protect its workforce. Woodside demonstrated an ability to respond rapidly and decisively to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health principles were quickly developed, guiding staff on the importance of hygiene, maintaining health at work and quickly reporting any flu-like illness symptoms. Technology was used to analyse travel history, health status and potential exposure. Site-specific controls to limit access and prevent potential spread of infections were implemented. Procedures to manage potential cases were developed and operating models were modified to ensure business continuity for safety critical roles. As rosters were modified and people worked from home, a wellbeing framework guided the implementation of preventative and mitigative controls for mental health. Leaders encouraged the small working groups to back their judgement as the situation rapidly evolved, providing time and space for the teams to develop and implement effective health management plans. Woodside worked collaboratively with industry partners, contractors and communities, recognising the importance of collaboration to align responses and remove barriers to deliver effective controls. Support and enablement of leaders was a key focus area. Significant emphasis was placed on enabling optimal human performance by focusing on emerging risks, for example how leaders can optimise human performance in the key areas of mental wellbeing, fatigue management and remote leadership when restrictions limited traditional face-to-face support on operational sites.
Understanding pygmy blue whale movement and distribution off north Western Australia
Authors: Thums Michele , Ferreira Luciana C. , Jenner Curt , Jenner Micheline , Harris Danielle , Davenport Andrew , Andrews-Goff Virginia , Double Mike , Möller Luciana , Attard Catherine R. M. , Bilgmann Kerstin , Thomson Paul G. , McCauley Robert D.
Published: July 2021

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a listed endangered species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A distinct population of blue whales, the eastern Indian Ocean pygmy blue (EIOPB) whale, migrates along the Western Australian coast to the Banda Sea in Indonesia. Their distribution and the delineation of biologically important areas (BIAs) in the north west marine region of the Australian coast are based on limited data with two possible foraging areas identified in the Blue Whale Conservation Management Plan – off Ningaloo and Scott Reef. This uncertainty is a problem because effective management of the many anthropogenic activities associated with industrial development in this area (e.g. oil and gas, commercial shipping and fishing) relies on robust data. To this end, we combined new satellite tag deployments on EIOPB whales off Ningaloo Reef with existing satellite tracking data to provide sufficient data to understand the spatial and temporal extent of the population’s distribution and the movement behaviour in the north west. We also deployed passive acoustic instruments at North West Cape and combined these with existing passive acoustic data from the north west, including 18 deployed instruments and 14 ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs). To fill data gaps in our understanding of EIOPB whale broad scale distribution on their northern and southern migration, we undertook three passive acoustic surveys using ocean gliders, thereby providing extensive spatial coverage across the north west.
Resilient Leadership – the pathway beyond COVID
Authors: Taylor Stuart B.
Published: July 2021

The energy sector is clearly operating in challenging times with uncertainty due to COVID starting in 2020, global economic collapse and the evolution of acceptability of different energy sources locally and globally. Stuart Taylor, CEO of resilience consulting firm Springfox will discuss the critical role of resilient leadership as a pathway to growth and success for shareholders, leaders and staff in the energy sector. Resilience can be defined as the learned ability to bounce back and also how to bounce forward through courage, connection and creativity. In exploring the concept of resilient leadership, Stuart Taylor will build on the foundation of resilience required by all leaders to be calm, energised, positive, optimistic and spiritually aligned. Taking this further, he will discuss the evidence and benefit of having leaders lead with empathy, trust and compassion as enablers for resilient leadership, and organisational agility and growth. Using global research undertaken by Springfox, and parent company the Resilience Institute, Stuart will provide key benchmarking results for the energy sector from the study of over 21000 staff to demonstrate a tangible return on resilience, as opposed to a return on intensity. As part of this study, a case study from an Australian energy manufacturer will be discussed that undertook to build a resilient culture using the principles outlined in this study.
Australia petroleum production and development – 2020
Authors: Keith Joe
Published: July 2021

This Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia review considers the production and development of oil and gas in Australia over the year 2020. In a challenging year, which included commodity price wars and severe global impacts felt from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Australian industry continued to produce high gas volumes due to sustained liquefied natural gas (LNG) output, and minimal decreases were seen in liquids production. Development approvals for large offshore projects did not materialise as expected in 2020 as operators reduced capital spend and focused on portfolio management in a year when oil prices fell by around USD 45bbl. Critically, all major projects with an financial investment decision (FID) target of 2020/21 were not cancelled, but development decisions were instead deferred. By the end of 2020, domestic-focused gas projects continued to be pursued for development with a target to support the declining resources for the Australian east coast domestic gas market.
Gas sampling for mercury analysis
Authors: Lawer Janelle
Published: July 2021

Historically, gas sampling for mercury has been neither accurate nor precise. In some instances, limited understanding of mercury in gas reservoirs has contributed to health, safety and environment (HSE) incidents and project cost escalation. Quality gas sampling for mercury is recognised as a critical element in project planning, best conducted in the exploration and appraisal phases of a field. Early knowledge of mercury concentrations can contribute to the success of development planning, HSE processes and production facility design. Gas Field X on the North West Shelf of Western Australia is in a region of variable mercury-in-gas concentrations. The recent Field X development drilling program commenced with a sampling plan optimised and focussed on mercury analysis using industry best practice operational, logistical and analysis techniques with the intent of building a statistically representative dataset of mercury concentrations. Procedures developed included investigating major sources of scavenging and contamination, innovative pre-job equipment preparation, use of multiple data sources (downhole and surface sampling, offshore and onshore analysis) and blind cross-checking between different laboratories and equipment types. All data has been through rigorous post-analysis quality control. The results of this unprecedented new dataset represent a case study of industry best-practice gas sampling delivering high confidence and repeatable data.
Loss of peptide:
N
-glycanase causes proteasome dysfunction mediated by a sugar-recognizing ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Yoshida Yukiko , Asahina Makoto , Murakami Arisa , Kawawaki Junko , Yoshida Meari , Fujinawa Reiko , Iwai Kazuhiro , Tozawa Ryuichi , Matsuda Noriyuki , Tanaka Keiji , Suzuki Tadashi
Published: July 2021

Significance

Cytosolic peptide:
N
-glycanase (NGLY1) is a widely conserved enzyme involved in de–
N
-glycosylation of
N
-glycosylated proteins. Mutations in the human
NGLY1
gene cause global developmental delay and multisystemic symptoms, but the molecular mechanism underlying pathogenesis remains poorly understood. FBXO6/FBS2, a subunit of the SCF (SKP1–CUL1–F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complex, recognizes
N
-glycans of cytosolic glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. This paper reports that high levels of ERAD glycoprotein substrates abnormally ubiquitinated by SCF
FBS2
in the absence of NGLY1 impair the proteasome, contributing to the pathogenesis of NGLY1 deficiency. Importantly, knockout of
Fbxo6/Fbs2
rescued the lethality of NGLY1 deficiency in mice, suggesting a strategy for developing therapeutics for this intractable disease.
The Impact of Obesity in Patients Hospitalized with Opioid/Opiate Overdose
Authors: Archibald Paul , Subramoney Kavitha , Beydoun Hind A. , Harris Ché Matthew
Published: July 2021

Background: Although a direct link between opioid use in obese patients and risk of overdose has not been established, obesity is highly associated with higher risk for opioid/opiate overdose. Evidence for clinical impact of obesity on patients with opioid/opiate overdose is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine effects of obesity on health-care outcomes and mortality trends in hospitalized patients who presented with opioid/opiate overdose in the United States between 2010 and 2014. Design: Multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis compared clinical outcomes and hospital resource utilization between obese and nonobese patients. Trend analysis of in-hospital mortality was also analyzed. Setting: United States. Participants: 302,863 adults ≥ 18 years and hospitalized with a principle diagnosis of opioid/opiate overdoses between 2010 and 2014. Measurements: Primary measurement was in-hospital mortality. Secondary measurements included respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, mechanical ventilations/intubations, hospital charges, and length of stay. Findings: Prevalence for in-hospital mortality was lower in patients with obesity (2.2% vs 2.9%). Obese patients had higher adjusted odds for respiratory failure (aOR = 1.7, [(CI) 1.6–1.8]) and mechanical ventilation/intubation (aOR = 1.17, [(CI) 1.10–1.2]). They also had longer length of stays (aMD = 0.4 days, [(CI) 0.25–0.58 days] and higher total hospital charges (aMD = $5,561, [(CI) $3,638–$7,483]. Trends of in-hospital mortality for patients with obesity did not significantly increase (2.1% in 2010 to 2.4% in 2014, p trend = 0.37), but significantly increased for obese patients (2.4% in 2010 to 3.4% in 2014; p trend <0.01). Conclusions: Prevalence and trends of mortality were lower in patients with obesity hospitalized for opiate/opioid overdose compared to those without obesity between 2010 and 2014 in the United States.
Article Commentary: The Role of Spirituality in Addiction Medicine: A Position Statement from the Spirituality Interest Group of the International Society of Addiction Medicine
Authors: Galanter Marc , Hansen Helena , Potenza Marc N.
Published: July 2021

Spirituality is a construct that is reflected in a diversity of strongly felt personal commitments in different cultural and national groups. For persons with substance use disorders (SUDs), it can serve as a component of the recovery capital available to them. This position statement reviews empirical research that can shed light on psychological, social, and biological aspects of this construct. On this basis, the Spirituality Interest Group of the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) makes recommendations for how this construct can be incorporated into research and clinical care.
Underreporting of Past-Year Cannabis use on a National Survey by People who Smoke Blunts
Authors: Le Austin , Han Benjamin H. , Palamar Joseph J.
Published: July 2021

Background: Accurate prevalence estimates are critical to epidemiological research but discordant responses on self-report surveys can lead to over- or underestimation of drug use. We sought to examine the extent and nature of underreported cannabis use (among those later reporting blunt use) from a national drug survey in the US. Methods: We used data from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health ( N = 281,650), a nationally representative probability sample of non-institutionalized populations in the US. We compared self-reported prevalence of past-year cannabis use and blunt use and delineated correlates of underreporting cannabis use, defined as reporting blunt use but not overall cannabis use. Results: An estimated 4.8% (95% CI: 4.4–5.2) of people reported blunt use but not cannabis use. Although corrected prevalence, cannabis use recoded as use only increased from 15.2% (95% CI: 15.0–15.4) to 15.5% (95% CI: 15.3–15.7), individuals who are aged ≥50 (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.06–3.08), female (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12–1.62), Non-Hispanic Black (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.16–1.76), or report lower English proficiency (aOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.40–7.83) are at increased odds for providing such a discordant response. Individuals with a college degree (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39–0.84) and those reporting past-year use of tobacco (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.91), alcohol (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33–0.54), cocaine (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34–0.73), or LSD (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31–0.87) were at lower odds of providing a discordant response. Conclusion: Although changes in prevalence are small when correcting for discordant responses, results provide insight into subgroups that may be more likely to underreport use on surveys.
Development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant within 18 months of implantation
Authors: Benny Tessa , Sasidharan Megha
Published: July 2021

Objective

The main objective of the study was to investigate the development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant (CI) within 18 months of implantation.

Method

The development of audiovisual integration was assessed in 37 cochlear implant recipients between the age of 3–7 years. They were divided into three groups based on their implant age. The groups were as follows, Group 1 consisted of 10 participants with an implant age of 0–6 months, Group 2 consisted of 15 participants with an implant age of 7–12 months and Group 3 consisted of 12 participants with an implant age of 13–18 months.

Result

The scores showed that as the implant age increases there is a gradual increase in the perception of auditory alone, audiovisual congruent and incongruent tokens. However, the participants did not have consistent fusion responses (McGurk response).

Conclusion

The findings from the study suggest that the development of bimodal fusion responses to incongruent tokens is still progressing with implant age.
Online LSSVM model to predict temperatures of furnace system in Chinese Space Station
Authors: Huang Z.Y. , Yu Q. , Li G.H.
Published: July 2021

Crystal growth furnace is the platform of material melting experiment in space station. The precision of the temperature controller of the furnace determines whether the experiment is successful or not. Generally, system identification contributes to the design of a better controller. However, many identification methods are only effective with large datasets and cannot track the changing features of the system characteristics when the environment changes. In this article, we present an online method to identify the time-varying and large time delay furnace system. Inspired by clustering theory, to track the latest characteristics of the system, the training set is dynamically updated based on sample similarities. Grid search and grey wolf optimizer are used respectively for hyperparameter optimization in a two-phase tuning process. The presented identification method is validated using Tiangong-2 furnace data set. The results show the established recursive least-squares SVMs can successfully predict the temperatures of the furnace with different experiment environment.
Structural and dielectric properties of Pb (Zr 0.52Ti 0.48)1-3x/4Fe x O3 ceramics at 0⩽x⩽0.20 prepared by sol-gel method
Authors: Malika Ahabboud , Amarass M , Ahjyaje F Z , Abdi F , Lamcharfi T
Published: July 2021

In this work, the Pb (Zr 0.52Ti 0.48)1-3x/4Fe x O3 (x=0.0; 0.025; 0.05; 0.075; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20) ceramics were synthesized by using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, was used to reach the structural properties of the studied compounds. The XRD patterns registered at room temperature revealed the phase formation of the samples which was confirmed by the Rietveld refinement method which suggests the formation of mixed tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. Raman spectra show that when iron content increases, the intensity of Raman peaks of pure PZT increases. The dielectric properties of Pb (Zr 0.52Ti 0.48)1-3x/4Fe x (PZTFx) materials as a function of temperature are studied and displayed a resonance phenomenon for all samples which is moved to the higher frequencies combined with a decrease in dielectric constant when Fe concentration increase. The variation of the dielectric constant as a function of temperature at low frequencies reveals a shifting of the transition temperature to the lower temperature.
Low temperature treatment and structural characterization of Na 2M2Fe(PO4)3 (M= Mn or Ni) Alluaudite phases
Authors: Bouftila Nour El Hoda , Naji Mohamed , Ababou Yahya , Rjeb Abdelilah , Sayouri Salaheddine
Published: July 2021

Materials for sodium intercalation were recently considered as attractive potential cathode materials for Na-ion Batteries. Amongst others, Alluaudite phases have shown interesting electrochemical properties. Thanks to their structure which consists of a three-dimensional framework of octahedra and tetrahedra sharing corners and/or edges, giving rise to two types of 1D tunnels where the Na+ ions can be intercalated. As first attempt to optimize the electrochemical performances of two alluadiates phases used as cathode materials, namely, Na2Mn2Fe(PO4)3 and Na2Ni2Fe(PO4)3, we have prepared these compounds by co-precipitation method with controlled nanometric size and low calcination temperature of 700°C and 750°C respectively. The structure of both samples obtained at different calcination temperatures were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction. The experimental results show the purity of Na2Mn2Fe(PO4)3 and Na2Ni2Fe(PO4)3 phases as well as the high crystallinity while maintaining low particle size and low calcination temperatures, namely less than 100 - 150°C difference.
Diffuse and relaxor phase transitions of Ba 0.95Bi 0.05Ti 1-xFe xO3 ceramics at x=0.00 to 1.00 of Fe content, prepared by solid state method
Authors: Najwa GOUITAA , Taj-dine LAMCHARFI , Farid ABDI , Nor-Said ECHATOUI , Mustapha AMARASS
Published: July 2021

The dielectric properties of iron and bismuth co-substituted BaTiO3 ceramic with the formula: Ba 0.95Bi 0.05Ti 1-xFe xO3 (BBTFx) for x=0.00 to 1.00, synthesis with solid state route, were characterized. The results of dielectric permittivity dependence of temperature show three dielectric phase transitions from a rhombohedral ferroelectric to orthorhombic ferroelectric (TR-O) then to a tetragonal ferroelectric phase (at TO-T), and finally to cubic paraelectric at the Curie temperature (Tc). Calculating the relaxation parameters of ΔTrelax and the dispersion factor ΔƐ’r,max/ Ɛ’r,max, we have found that all the ceramics present a relaxation and a dispersion phenomenon. And the phase transition TO-T for x = 0.00 has the highest value of ΔTrelax while the dispersion factor has the highest value for the phase transition Tm at x = 0.60. The diffuseness parameter γ refined from Uchino law showed a diffuse phase transition for all the ceramics. While γ has a value close to 1 for TR-O at x = 0.00, which indicate a standard Curie-Weiss law. The dielectric evolution as function of frequency shows a resonance behavior for x=0.00 of Fe content while for the other ceramics we obtained a classical ferroelectric behavior.
Optical absorption study of manganese-doped Na 2O-K 2O-P 2O 5 glasses
Authors: Jerroudi M , Bih L , Haddad M , Saadoune I
Published: July 2021

The mixed alkali phosphate glasses with the general formula 49.95[ xNa 2O-(1 -x)K 2O]- 0.1MnO 2-49.95P 2O 5 with x=0-1mol% were prepared and characterized using the optical absorption technique. The optical absorption spectrum of each glass exhibits a single band in the region around 200-400 nm. From the ultraviolet absorption edges, the optical parameters including optical band gap and the Urbach energy were evaluated. It is interesting to note that these optical parameters are composition-dependent. The optical band gap energy (E g) and the Urbach energy (ΔE) show the presence of a maximum and a minimum respectively around the intermediate composition x=0.5. The non-linearity behavior of the composition dependence of Eg and ΔE is a fingerprint of the mixed-alkali effect in the glasses under study.
Structural properties of oil/water microemulsion with surface grafted PEO polymers
Authors: Khatouri M , Ahfir R , Elkhaoui S , Lemaalem M , Talha L , Filali M
Published: July 2021

In this study, we investigated the structural properties of oil/water microemulsions with surface grafted polymers. In particular, we determined the effect of the addition of two kinds of hydrophobically modified polymers, PEO-m with one hydrophobic end and PEO-2m with two hydrophobic extremities. We used Molecular Dynamics simulations with the appropriate interaction potential that considers the VDW interactions, the electrostatic interactions, and the interaction induced by the polymers. Our results showed that the PEO-m introduces a steric repulsive interaction between the microemulsions in the diluted and concentrated systems, respectively, Φ=2.8% and Φ=14%. Thus, PEO-m favorises the stability and dispersion of the microemulsions. Besides, the PEO-2m introduces an attractive interaction between the droplets in the diluted case. Both PEO-2m and PEO-m strengthen the repulsive potential between the microemulsions in the concentrated case.
Experimental technique of defining the elastic modulus of bulk materials in laboratory conditions
Authors: Astakhov Valentyn , Brovko Dmytro , Eremenko Oleksandr
Published: July 2021

Defining the elastic modulus of bulk materials is an important issue in quality assurance of design and construction of motorway bases. The analysis of current regulatory framework shows that there are no applicable methods for defining the elastic modulus of loose (bulk) materials in laboratory conditions. Moreover, if new or underinvestigated materials are used for motorway bases, it is necessary either to abandon their use or define their compliance with the regulations after motorway base construction. In view of the latter, an experimental technique and a device for defining the elastic modulus of bulk materials in laboratory conditions are developed. Following this technique, the elastic modulus of 5 mm – 20 mm, 20 mm – 40 mm crushed dump blast furnace and steelmaking slags was defined. Comparison of the obtained results with the recommended design values of the elastic modulus of similar materials shows good convergence (the difference is within 8%). There is no connection between the diameter of a stamp transmitting load to a sample and the specified value of the elastic modulus. Deviations do not exceed 10% for ∅50 mm, ∅120 mm, ∅150 mm stamps.
An analytical solution to the problem of stability loss of the rod under the combined action of concentrated force and dead weight
Authors: Krutii Yu , Bekshaev S , Osadchiy V
Published: July 2021

The exact solution of the differential equation of buckling of the prismatic column under the combined action of a longitudinal concentrated end force and its own weight is constructed. Formulas are written for the state parameters of the rod, expressed in terms of the initial parameters. For six cases of ideal boundary conditions, finite analytical formulas are obtained that establish the dependence of the critical force on the weight of the rod.
Improvement of mixing technology of concrete mortar components in mixers
Authors: Erofeev M N , Kravchenko I N , Kuznetsov Yu A , Goncharenko V V
Published: July 2021

Methods of calculations and methods of modeling the mixing of components of construction mixtures are presented. Experimental studies were carried out using a prototype mixer. Compressive strength, workability, and concrete uniformity coefficient in strength were taken as the main defined characteristics of the concrete mixture. On the basis of the conducted researches the dependences for an estimation of design and layout decisions and parameters of work of mixers and technological cycles, and also their influence on quality and structural - rheological properties of ready products have been established. The obtained data confirm the hypothesis about the possibility of improving the quality of concrete mixtures by using a gravity-forced method. It has been established, that application of gravity-forced method of mixing allows to increase concrete strength by 5-10 %, and of mixture uniformity coefficient - by 1.4-2.5 %. At the same time, the duration of concrete mixtures preparation can be reduced by 1.5-2.0 times compared with the known methods.
Determination of the strength of the support sections of concrete beams with BFRP under the action of shear forces
Authors: Karpiuk I , Klymenko Ye , Karpiuk V , Posternak A , Maistrenko O , Tselikova A
Published: July 2021

In a few foreign codes (ACI, Eurocode 2, JSCE, CSA, CNR), the principles for calculating flexible concrete elements with (BFRP) are preserved the same as for calculating concrete structures with steel reinforcement. Experimental studies have not confirmed these principles, which indicates the relevance of research. Two calculation models are proposed for determining the strength near the support sections of concrete beams with BFRP. The first model considers the calculation of beams with average (a/d=2) and large (a/d=3) shear spans along the main inclined crack, taking into account the experimentally established length of its projection lcrf1, the coefficients ϕख़2, ϕख़3 and ϕख़4 the magnitude of tensile stresses in the transverse fittings. The second computational model provides for the calculation of these beams with small shear spans (a/d<1) along a compressed inclined strip using the experimentally established coefficient kf,. The use of the presented design models provides good convergence (coefficient of variation ν=8%) of the calculated and experimental values of strength near the support sections of concrete beams with BFRP.
Microcrack appearance and coefficient of tension intensity ceramsite concrete on multicomponent binding
Authors: Kravchenko S A , Posternak O O , Kostyuk A I , Stolevich I A
Published: July 2021

The results of experimental research of microcrack appearance and coefficient of tension intensity of experimental patterns from ceramsite concrete on multicomponent binding and quartz sand are given. Optimal compositions of construction and heat insulation ceramsite concrete on multicomponent binding are presented. Methodology of experimental researches, parameters of experimental patterns with description of technology of their making, results of basic patterns tests and their analysis, and also volume, aims and results of auxiliary standards tests are described. In the process of tests the longitudinal and transversal deformations of patterns, value of crack appearance loading, size of the destroying loading were measured. The done experimental researches of limits of microcrack appearance and coefficient of tension intensity of patterns from ceramsite concrete on multicomponent binding allowed to educe the characteristic features of their tensely-deformed state, to define the high and lower bound of crack appearance, deformability and size of the destroying loading of experimental patterns.