Estimate of Saturation Pressures of Crude Oil by Using Ensemble-Smoother-Assisted Equation of State

The equation of state (EOS) has been extensively used to evaluate the saturation pressures of petroleum fluids. However, the accurate determination of empirical parameters in the EOS is challenging and time-consuming, especially when multiple measurements are involved in the regression process. In this work, an ensemble smoother (ES) -assisted EOS method has been proposed to compute the saturation pressure by intelligently optimizing the to-be-tuned parameters. To be specific, the to-be-tuned parameters for the Peng–Robinson EOS (PR EOS) are integrated into a model input matrix and the measured saturation pressures are collected into a model output matrix. The model input matrix is then integrally and iteratively updated with respect to the model output matrix by using the iterative ES algorithm. For convenience, an in-house module is compiled to implement the ES-assisted EOS for determining the saturation pressures of crude oils. Subsequently, the experimentally measured saturation pressures of 45 mixtures of heavy oil and solvents are used to validate the performance of the in-house module. In addition, 130 measured saturation pressures of worldwide light oil samples are collected to verify the applicability of the developed ES-assisted EOS method. The in-house module is found to be competent by not only matching 45 measured saturation pressures with a better agreement than a commercial simulator but also providing a quantitative means to analyze the uncertainties associated with the estimated model parameters and the saturation pressure. Moreover, the application of the ES-assisted EOS to 130 light oil samples distinctly demonstrates that the new method greatly improves the accuracy and reliability of the EOS regression. Consequently, the in-house module representing the ES-assisted EOS is proven as an efficient and flexible tool to determine the saturation pressure under various conditions and implement uncertain analyses associated with the saturation pressure

Disrupted Balance of Long- and Short-Range Functional Connectivity Density in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Previous studies have shown that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can accelerate the rate of cognitive decline in patients. As an organ with high energy consumption, the brain network balances between lower energy consumption and higher information transmission efficiency. However, T2DM may modify the proportion of short- and long-range connections to adapt to the inadequate energy supply and to respond to various cognitive tasks under the energy pressure caused by homeostasis alterations in brain glucose metabolism. On the basis of the above theories, this study determined the abnormal functional connections of the brain in 32 T2DM patients compared with 32 healthy control (HC) subjects using long- and short-range functional connectivity density (FCD) analyses with resting-state fMRI data. The cognitive function level in these patients was also evaluated by neuropsychological tests. Moreover, the characteristics of abnormal FCD and their relationships with cognitive impairment were investigated in T2DM patients. Compared with the HC group, T2DM patients exhibited decreased long-range FCD in the left calcarine and left lingual gyrus and increased short-range FCD in the right angular gyrus and medial part of the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.05, Gaussian random-field theory corrected). In T2DM patients, the FCD z scores of the medial part of the left superior frontal gyrus were negatively correlated with the time cost in part B of the Trail Making Test (ρ = -0.422, p = 0.018). In addition, the FCD z scores of the right angular gyrus were negatively correlated with the long-term delayed recall scores of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (ρ = -0.356, p = 0.049) and the forward scores of the Digital Span Test (ρ = -0.373, p = 0.039). T2DM patients exhibited aberrant long-range and short-range FCD patterns, which may suggest brain network reorganization at the expense of losing the integration of long-range FCD to adapt to the deficiency in energy supply. These changes may be associated with cognitive decline in T2DM patients

A novel epigenetic AML1-ETO/THAP10/miR-383 mini-circuitry contributes to t(8;21) leukaemogenesis

DNA methylation patterns are frequently deregulated in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), but little is known of the mechanisms by which specific gene sets become aberrantly methylated. Here, we found that the promoter DNA methylation signature of t(8;21)(+) AML blasts differs from that of t(8;21)(-) AMLs. This study demonstrated that a novel hypermethylated zinc finger-containing protein, THAP10, is a target gene and can be epigenetically suppressed by AML1-ETO at the transcriptional level in t(8;21) AML. Our findings also show that THAP10 is a bona fide target of miR-383 that can be epigenetically activated by the AML1-ETO recruiting co-activator p300. In this study, we demonstrated that epigenetic suppression of THAP10 is the mechanistic link between AML1-ETO fusion proteins and tyrosine kinase cascades. In addition, we showed that THAP10 is a nuclear protein that inhibits myeloid proliferation and promotes differentiation both in vitro and in vivo Altogether, our results revealed an unexpected and important epigenetic mini-circuit of AML1-ETO/THAP10/miR-383 in t(8;21) AML, in which epigenetic suppression of THAP10 predicts a poor clinical outcome and represents a novel therapeutic target

Vanadium-Based Superconductivity in a Breathing Kagome Compound Ta2V3.1Si0.9

Superconductivity in V-based kagome metals has recently raised great interest as they exhibit the competing ground states associated with the flat bands and topological electronic structures. Here we report the discovery of superconductivity in Ta2V3.1Si0.9 with a superconducting transition temperature Tc of 7.5 K, much higher than those in previously reported kagome metals at ambient pressure. While the V ions form a two-dimensional breathing kagome structure, the length difference between two different V-V bonds is just 0.04, making it very close to the perfect kagome structure. Our results show that Ta2V3.1Si0.9 is a moderate-coupled superconductor with a large upper critical field that is close to the Pauli limit. DFT calculations give a van-Hove-singularity band located at Fermi energy, which may explain the relatively high Tc observed in this material.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Comparison of the Differential Diagnostic Performance of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Malignant and Benign Thyroid Nodules

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic capacity between IVIM and DKI in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.Material and MethodsThis study is based on magnetic resonance imaging data of the thyroid with histopathology as the reference standard. Spearman analysis was used to assess the relationship of IVIM-derived parameters D, f, D* and the DKI-derived parameters Dapp and Kapp. The parameters of IVIM and DKI were compared between the malignant and benign groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the diagnostic model, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was subsequently performed. The DeLong test was used to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of different prediction models. Spearman analysis was used to assess the relationship of Ki-67 expression and parameters of IVIM and DKI.ResultsAmong the 93 nodules, 46 nodules were malignant, and 47 nodules were benign. The Dapp of DKI-derived parameter was related to the D (P < 0.001, r = 0.863) of IVIM-derived parameter. The Kapp of DKI-derived parameter was related to the D (P < 0.001, r = -0.831) of IVIM-derived parameters. The malignant group had a significantly lower D value (P < 0.001) and f value (P = 0.013) than the benign group. The malignant group had significantly higher Kapp and lower Dapp values (all P < 0.001). The D+f had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.951. The Dapp+Kapp had an AUC of 0.943. The D+f+Dapp+Kapp had an AUC of 0.954. The DeLong test showed no statistical significance among there prediction models. The D (P = 0.007) of IVIM-derived parameters and Dapp (P = 0.045) of DKI-derived parameter were correlated to the Ki-67 expression.ConclusionsIVIM and DKI were alternative for each other in in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules

Expert Consensus on Microtransplant for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Elderly Patients -Report From the International Microtransplant Interest Group

Recent studies have shown that microtransplant (MST) could improve outcome of patients with elderly acute myeloid leukemia (EAML). To further standardize the MST therapy and improve outcomes in EAML patients, based on analysis of the literature on MST, especially MST with EAML from January 1st, 2011 to November 30th, 2022, the International Microtransplant Interest Group provides recommendations and considerations for MST in the treatment of EAML. Four major issues related to MST for treating EAML were addressed: therapeutic principle of MST (1), candidates for MST (2), induction chemotherapy regimens (3), and post-remission therapy based on MST (4). Others included donor screening, infusion of donor cells, laboratory examinations, and complications of treatment

Determination of Klinkenberg Permeability Conditioned to Pore-Throat Structures in Tight Formations

This paper has developed a pragmatic technique to efficiently and accurately determine the Klinkenberg permeability for tight formations with different pore-throat structures. Firstly, the authors use steady-state experiments to measure the Klinkenberg permeability of 56 tight core samples under different mean pore pressures and confining pressures. Secondly, pressure-controlled mercury injection (PMI) experiments and thin-section analyses are conducted to differentiate pore-throat structures. After considering capillary pressure curve, pore types, throat size, particle composition, and grain size, the pore-throat structure in the target tight formation was classified into three types: a good sorting and micro-fine throat (GSMFT) type, a moderate sorting and micro-fine throat (MSMFT) type, and a bad sorting and micro throat (BSMT) type. This study found that a linear relationship exists between the Klinkenberg permeability and measured gas permeability for all three types of pore-throat structures. Subsequently, three empirical equations are proposed, based on 50 core samples of data, to estimate the Klinkenberg permeability by using the measured gas permeability and mean pore pressure for each type of pore-throat structure. In addition, the proposed empirical equations can generate accurate estimates of the Klinkenberg permeability with a relative error of less than 5% in comparison to its measured value. The application of the proposed empirical equations to the remaining six core samples has demonstrated that it is necessary to use an appropriate equation to determine the Klinkenberg permeability of a specific type of pore-throat structure. Consequently, the newly developed technique is proven to be qualified for accurately determining the Klinkenberg permeability of tight formations in a timely manner

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Al-4.0Cu-1.1Li-0.5Mg-xAg Alloys

The influence of various Ag contents on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of extruded Al-4.0Cu-1.1Li-0.4Mg-xAg-0.2Mn-0.2Zr (x = 0.4 and 0.9, wt.%) alloys was investigated. The alloy with 0.9 Ag content contains higher number density of slender T1 (Al2CuLi) precipitates along with some θ’ (Al2Cu) phases in the matrix than the alloy with 0.4 Ag content, which is associated with a more rapid hardening response and higher mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, particularly for aging at 130 °C. When aging at high temperatures (above 160 °C), the increase of Ag content mitigates hardness loss by preventing the T1 precipitates from coarsening, and makes the alloy decorate more coarse precipitates at grain boundaries, which leads to the fracture morphology mainly occupied by intergranular fracture. Furthermore, due to the simultaneous promotion of T1 precipitates at grain boundaries and in grain interiors, the 0.9 Ag-containing Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Ag alloy has almost no improvement in corrosion resistance

Experimental study of petrophysical properties of a tight formation by considering the clay minerals and flow sensitivities

Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of rock, X-ray diffraction analysis of clay minerals types and components, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and sensitivity flow experiments methods were used toresearch the effects of clay minerals on the porosity and permeability of Ordos Basin’s tight Chang 7 reservoir (Zhenbei area). These methods were also used to analyze the type, degree, and factors affecting reservoir sensitivity. The research showed that the reservoir possessed poor water, salt, and alkali sensitivity, poor to strong acid sensitivity and none to poor velocity sensitivity. Acid sensitivity among them had comparatively large differences, mainly because acid sensitivity was not only affected by chlorite but also by components of carbonate minerals. Stress sensitivity experiment results showed that the maximum degree of permeability damage in the rocks of this reservoir was median to very strong; irreversible damage level was weak to strong. Consequently, the experimental studies are favorable to not only determine the factor dominating the petrophysical properties of the tight formation, but also to optimize the follow-up development strategies, e.g. injection schedule and hydraulic fracturing implement.   Estudio Experimental de las propiedades petrofísicas de una formación compacta al considerar las arcillas minerales y las respuestas de flujo   Resumen Este trabajo utilizó análisis cuantitativos de rocas por difracción de rayos X, análisis de los tipos y componentes de arcillas minerales por difracción de rayos X, análisis con el microscopio electrónico de efecto de campo (FESEM, del inglés Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) y ensayos de respuesta de flujo para investigar los efectos de las arcillas minerales en la porosidad y permeabilidad del depósito Chang 7, en la cuenca del Ordos (región Zhenbei). Estos métodos también se utilizaron para analizar el tipo, el grado y los factores que afectan la respuesta del depósito. La investigación demuestra que el depósito posee poca agua, sal y respuesta alcalina, baja a fuerte respuesta de acidez, y ninguna a baja respuesta de velocidad. Entre estas características, la respuesta de acidez presentó grandes diferencias comparativas debido a que está afectada tanto por el clorito como por los componentes de minerales carbonatos. Los resultados de los ensayos de respuesta de tensión muestran que el máximo grado de daño por permeabilidad en las rocas del depósito es de mediano a muy fuerte; el nivel de daño irreversible va de débil hasta fuerte. Por lo tanto lo estudios experimentales son favorables no solo para determinar el factor dominante en las propiedades petrofísicas de la formación compacta sino también para optimizar las futuras estrategias de desarrollo, como una programación de las tareas de inyección y la implementación de la fractura hidráulica