Improved estimation of pore connectivity and permeability in deepwater carbonates with the construction of multi-layer static and dynamic petrophysical models

textA new method is presented here for petrophysical interpretation of heterogeneous carbonates using well logs and core data. Developing this new method was necessary because conventional evaluation methods tend to yield inaccurate predictions of pore connectivity and permeability in the studied field. Difficulties in the petrophysical evaluation of this field are related to shoulder-bed effects, presence of non-connected porosity, rock layers that are thinner than the vertical resolution of well-logging tools, and the effect of oil-base mud (OBM) invasion in the measurements. These problems give rise to uncommon measurements and rock properties, such as: (a) reservoir units contained within thinly bedded and laminated sequences, (b) very high apparent resistivity readings in the oil-bearing zone, (c) separation of apparent resistivity logs with different depths of investigation, (d) complex unimodal and bimodal transverse relaxation distributions of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, (e) reservoir units having total porosity of 0.02 to 0.26 and permeability between 0.001mD to 4.2D, (f) significant differences between total and sonic porosity, and (g) low and constant gamma-ray values. The interpretation method introduced in this thesis is based on the detection of layer boundaries and rock types from high-resolution well logs and on the estimation of layer-by-layer properties using numerical simulation of resistivity, nuclear, and NMR logs. Layer properties were iteratively adjusted until the available well logs were reproduced by numerical simulations. This method honors the reservoir geology and physics of the measurements while adjusting the layer properties; it reduces shoulder-bed effects on well logs, especially across thinly bedded and laminated sequences, thereby yielding improved estimates of interconnected porosity and permeability in rocks that have null mobile water saturation and that were invaded with OBM. Additionally, dynamic simulations of OBM invasion in free-water depth intervals were necessary to estimate permeability. It is found that NMR transverse relaxation measurements are effective for determining rock and fluid properties but are unreliable in the accurate calculation of porosity and permeability in thinly bedded and highly laminated depth sections. In addition, this thesis shows that low resistivity values are associated with the presence of microporosity, and high resistivity values are associated with the presence of interconnected and vuggy porosity. In some layers, a fraction of the vuggy porosity is associated with isolated pores, which does not contribute to fluid flow. An integrated evaluation using multiple measurements, including sonic logs, is therefore necessary to detect isolated porosity. After the correction and simulation, results show, on average, a 34% improvement between estimated and core-measured permeability. Closer agreement was not possible because of limitations in tool resolution and difficulty in obtaining a precise depth match between core and well-log measurements.Petroleum and Geosystems Engineerin

Population neuroscience : challenges and opportunities for psychiatric research in low- and middle-income countries

Objective: Population neuroscience is an emerging field that combines epidemiology and neuroscience to study how genes and the environment shape typical and atypical brain functioning. The objective of this study was to review key studies on population neuroscience from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify potential gaps vis-a`-vis studies conducted in highincome countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to search for longitudinal cohort studies investigating the development of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in LMICs. We performed an electronic search in the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to July 5th, 2019. Results: We found six cohorts from four countries that met our search criteria: three cohorts from Brazil, one from China, one from South Africa, and one from Mauritius. Relevant examples of findings from these studies are reported. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the impact of the valuable science output these cohort designs promote, allowing LMICs to have a share in frontline global psychiatry research. National and international funding agencies should invest in LMIC population neuroscience in order to promote replication and generalization of research from high-income countries

Treatment resistance in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of prevalence and correlates

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and correlates of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, an electronic search was performed in PubMed and Embase through May 17, 2022. All study designs that assessed a minimum of 20 schizophrenia-spectrum patients and provided data on TRS prevalence or allowed its calculation were included. Estimates were produced using a random-effects model meta-analysis. Results: The TRS prevalence across 50 studies (n = 29,390) was 36.7% (95%CI 33.1-40.5, p < 0.0001). The prevalence ranged from 22% (95%CI 18.4-25.8) in first-episode to 39.5% (95%CI 32.2-47.0) in multiple-episode samples (Q = 18.27, p < 0.0001). Primary treatment resistance, defined as no response from the first episode, was 23.6% (95%CI 20.5-26.8) vs. 9.3% (95%CI 6.8-12.2) for later-onset/secondary (≥ 6 months after initial treatment response). Longer illness duration and recruitment from long-term hospitals or clozapine clinics were associated with higher prevalence estimates. In meta-regression analyses, older age and poor functioning predicted greater TRS. When including only studies with lower bias risk, the TRS prevalence was 28.4%. Conclusion: Different study designs and recruitment strategies accounted for most of the observed heterogeneity in TRS prevalence rates. The results point to early-onset and later-onset TRS as two separate disease pathways requiring clinical attention. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018092033

Otimização energética de uma coluna de destilação para obtenção de etanol hidratado com base nos modelos UNIFAC e UNIQUAC / Energy optimization of a distillation column for hydrous ethanol based on UNIFAC and UNIQUAC models

 O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor mundial de etanol combustível, e até 2010 era o maior exportador do mundo, sendo o etanol produzido a partir da cana-de-açúcar considerado o combustível alternativo mais bem-sucedido até o momento. Sabendo a relevância deste produto na economia, o presente trabalho tem como finalidade realizar a otimização energética de uma coluna de destilação para produção de etanol hidratado tendo como base os modelos termodinâmicos UNIQUAC e UNIFAC. Inicialmente 5 conjuntos de dados experimentais de Equilíbrio Líquido Vapor (ELV) etanol/água foram implementados no software Specs para validação e a avaliação de qual dos modelos teria maior capacidade representação dos dados, sendo o modelo UNIQUAC o que obteve melhor performance. Os parâmetros do modelo UNIQUAC obtidos no Specs não foram suficientes para realização da simulação da coluna de destilação no simulador Aspen Plus®, sendo necessário a realização da regressão dados no Aspen para obtenção dos parâmetros. Com base nos novos parâmetros o modelo passou a ser chamado de UNIQUAC-otimizado, e após a simulação, percebeu-se que esse modelo apresentou menor gasto energético para o processo. A análise de sensibilidade feita com a temperatura e composição na alimentação mostrou que quanto menor a temperatura de alimentação maior gasto de energia ocorrerá, e no caso da composição, para valores maiores de que 0,0642 não afeta a composição do destilado. Foi possível avaliar qual modelo termodinâmico melhor representou o processo de produção de etanol e o benefício do ponto de vista de eficiência energética proporcionado. Por meio da análise de sensibilidade aprimorou-se o entendimento de operação de processo, conhecendo de fato, o quão sensível são as variáveis de interesse frete a variações nas condições de alimentação. 

Basic Cycle in Dentistry Students’ Training: The Gap in the Integration of Knowledge and Social Reality

One of the main premises of the Dentistry curricular guidelines is the integration of knowledge, bringing together the basic, clinical and public health areas. The aim of this research was to understand how the contents of the “basic cycle” contribute to dentists’ academic training. A qualitative study was performed, and developed through interviews of focal groups consisting of students from 2nd to 4th semester. The analysis produced five categories: decontextualization of social sciences, curricular structure, the gap between the basic and professional cycles, student resignation to the “basic cycle”, and teachers at the core of the process. It was concluded that the dichotomy between the basic and professional cycles complicates curricular integration and compromises students' commitment to their graduation. As a result, it is necessary to incorporate the principles provided in the Dentistry curricular guidelines, such as students’ proactive behavior towards the learning process and the teacher's role as a facilitator

ELV para os sistemas binários: água (1) + ácido acético (2) e ácido propanóico (3) + ácido pentanóico (4) aplicando o teste de consistência dos dados experimentais / ELV for binary systems: water (1) + acetic acid (2) and propanoic acid (3) + pentanoic acid (4) by applying the experimental data consistency test

Dados experimentais foram usados para simulação de processos químicos e, nesse sentido, precisão e informações confiáveis sobre as propriedades dos compostos envolvidos no estudo são importantes para entender e prever os modelos. Neste trabalho, uma mistura binária isobárica de água e ácido acético (P = 2.6664 kPa e P = 26.664 kPa) foi analisado, bem como uma solução binário isotérmico de ácido propiônico e ácido pentanóico (T = 393,15 K e T = 413,15 K). A confiabilidade dos dados experimentais foi avaliada usando dois métodos: o teste das áreas e o dos desvios. Além disso, o foram previstos dados de equilíbrio líquido para o sistema. 

Analysis of a seismic project in the area of Covunco, province of Neuquén

This work has as main objective the study of a seismic project carried out by Lubín Eric Cayo (2005), in the region of Covunco, province of Neuquén, Argentina. Seismic methods were employed across 49 2D lines, over 790 km long, covering approximately 950 m². In addition to additional information from the logging of 21 wells, 18 of them within the study area, the synthetic 4-well seismogram was prepared. By correlating the synthetic seismogram with the seismic lines, it was possible to trace various seismic horizons. Five seismic sections were analyzed to represent the structural shape of the study area, as well as the arrangement of the different sedimentary units that were interpreted. Only two horizons have been identified with clarity and continuity, the top of the Mulichinco formation and the top of the Tordillo formation. Through these horizons, isochronous maps were drawn. By obtaining these maps it was possible to identify: an important fault front located in the western sector of the area with numerous subordinate faults. The existence of numerous structures of interest, some coinciding with existing wells; and the deepening of the formations to the north of the area, coinciding with the location of the center of the basin. The author identified a zone of interest from isochronous maps, which was proposed as a possible drilling object, as it is in an interesting structural position and is accompanied by strong fracturing. However, the drilling of this new well must be preceded by a 3D seismic acquisition.Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo o estudo de um projeto sísmico realizado por Lubín Eric Cayo (2005), na região de Covunco, província de Neuquén, Argentina. Foram empregados métodos sísmicos através de 49 linhas 2D, com mais de 790 km de extensão, cobrindo cerca de 950 m². Além de informações adicionais da perfilagem de 21 poços, sendo 18 deles dentro da área de estudo, foi confeccionado o sismograma sintético de 4 poços. Através da correlação do sismograma sintético com as linhas sísmicas, foi possível traçar vários horizontes sísmicos. Foram analisadas cinco seções sísmicas visando representar a forma estrutural da área de estudo, como também a disposição das unidades sedimentares distintas que foram interpretadas. Apenas dois horizontes foram identificados com clareza e continuidade, o topo da formação Mulichinco e o topo da formação Tordillo. Através destes horizontes foram traçados mapas isócronos. Com a obtenção destes mapas foi possível identificar: uma importante frente de falha localizada no setor oeste da área com numerosas falhas subordinadas à ela. A existência de numerosas estruturas de interesse, algumas coincidentes com os poços existentes; e o aprofundamento das formações para o norte da área, coincidentes com a localização do centro da bacia. O autor identificou uma zona de interesse a partir dos mapas isócronos, que foi proposta como possível objeto de perfuração, já que se encontra em uma posição estrutural interessante e está acompanhada de um forte fraturamento. Porém a perfuração deste novo poço deve ser precedida de uma aquisição sísmica 3D

Chapter 8: Biogeographic analysis using geometric morphometrics: clines in skull size and shape in a widespread African arboreal monkey.

Despite the “renaissance” of biogeography in the last two decades with its centralrole in the study of biodiversity and evolution, and the “revolution” in morphometricsbrought about by methods based on the analysis of Cartesian coordinates ofanatomical landmarks, the use of geometric morphometrics in biogeographic studieshas been rather limited. With this analysis we aim to provide an example ofhow geometric morphometrics can fruitfully be applied to the study of clinal variationin a widespread African monkey group by a simple extension of methodswidely employed by macroecologists and biogeographers to multivariate shape data.Throughout the paper we aim to explain these techniques so that those who are newto them can use and adapt them for their own needs, in some cases providing specificinstructions on how to perform certain operations in standard morphometricsand statistical software. Our hope is that this may stimulate morphometricians andscientists from other disciplines to explore geographic variation in size and shapeusing up-to-date geometric morphometric methods. The application of geometricmorphometrics to ecological, biogeographic and phylogeographic studies has enormouspotential for a thorough understanding of how form changes in space and timeduring evolution and in relation to genetic and environmental factors