Prediction of the flexible pipe annulus pH at high CO2 content and high temperature

International audiencePrevious works have shown that the typical ratio between the volume of electrolyte and the exposed steel surface observed in the annulus of flexible pipelines leads to a specific corrosive environment whose pH deviate from the classical thermodynamic models. In this case, due to the supersaturation in iron ions in the annulus, the commercial models even with their most recent updates cannot precisely predict the measured pH. Due to these specificities, tests are necessary to overcome these limitations and to improve with a better accuracy the pH considered in the design of the flexible pipes. Nowadays, with the development of the Brazilian oil and gas pre-salt basins, a high CO2 partial pressure associated with high temperature are observed in the flexible pipe annulus. Due to the lack of experimental data concerning the pH evolution under these conditions, tests were carried out with a continuous pH monitoring at CO2 partial pressure and temperature up to, respectively, 70 bara and 84 °C. The test results presented in this article show an amplitude between the experimental data and the predicted pH values of at least +0.4 pH units which confirms the conservatism of the thermodynamic models at saturation. In all the tests, the pH reached a maximum value after the first days of immersion followed by a decrease and fast stabilization after this event. An impact of the temperature was verified on the pH behavior in these tests. Keywords Flexible pipes; annulus pH; high pressure; high temperature

EDUKASI PEMANFAATAN BAHAN RAMAH LINGKUNGAN SEBAGAI PUPUK ORGANIK KEPADA PETANI DI LOKASI FOOD ESTATE-BELU

Abstrak: Upaya edukasi dan pelatihan memproduksi pupuk organik secara mandiri kepada petani di lokasi food estate-Belu yang berada di wilayah perbatasan Republik Indonesia (RI)-Republik Demokratik Timor Leste (RDTL) perlu diberikan perhatian serius dari berbagai kalangan termasuk akademisi. Keterbatasan pengetahuan, informasi dan akses teknologi oleh pelaku usaha tani menjadi salah satu hambatan klasik tercapainya swasembada pangan dalam negeri. Dengan adanya penyuluhan dan pelatihan ini diharapkan para anggota kelompok tani Sahabat Group memiliki pengetahuan yang mendalam serta mampu secara praktis menyediakan Pupuk Organik Cair (POC) dan bokashi secara mandiri. Dengan demikian, ketergantungan terhadap pupuk subsidi pemerintah dapat teratasi. Pelatihan ini memberikan edukasi manfaat POC dan bokashi yang bersumber dari bahan ramah lingkungan, mudah dan murah untuk diproduksi secara mandiri. Berdasarkan hasil evaluasi pada akhir kegiatan pengabdian ini, terlihat petani disadarkan akan pentingnya pupuk organik dan bahkan mampu memanfaatkan limbah dapur dan kotoran hewan yang dimilikinya secara mandiri sebagai pupuk organik untuk budidaya tanaman sehat. Hal tersebut dibuktikan dengan hasil posttest yang 80-100%% petani telah sangat mengerti tentang pupuk organik. Meski demikian, perlu adanya sosialisasi yang masif, pelatihan serta pendampingan secara intensif agar petani terbiasa memproduksi hasil tanaman secara organik yang aman untuk dikonsumsi.Abstract: Education and training efforts to produce organic fertilizers independently for farmers in the food estate located- Belu in the border region of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) - Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (RDTL) need serious attention from various groups including academics. Limited knowledge, information and access to technology by farming actors is one of the classic obstacles to achieving domestic food self sufficiency. With this counseling and training, it is hoped that the members of the Sahabat Group farmer group will have in depth knowledge and be able to practically provide Liquid Organic Fertilizer (LOF) and bokashi independently. Thus, dependence on government subsidized fertilizers can be overcome. This training provides education on the benefits of LOF and bokashi which are sourced from environmentally friendly materials, easy and inexpensive to produce independently. Based on the results of the evaluation at the end of this community service activity, it can be seen that farmers are made aware of the importance of organic fertilizers and are even able to independently utilize kitchen waste and animal manure as organic fertilizers for cultivating healthy plants. This is evidenced by the results of the posttest in which 80-100% of farmers have a very good understanding of organic fertilizers. However, there is a need for massive outreach, training and intensive assistance so that farmers are used to producing organic crops that are safe for consumption. 

An extrasolar planetary system with three Neptune-mass planets

Over the past two years, the search for low-mass extrasolar planets has led to the detection of seven so-called 'hot Neptunes' or 'super-Earths' around Sun-like stars. These planets have masses 5-20 times larger than the Earth and are mainly found on close-in orbits with periods of 2-15 days. Here we report a system of three Neptune-mass planets with periods of 8.67, 31.6 and 197 days, orbiting the nearby star HD 69830. This star was already known to show an infrared excess possibly caused by an asteroid belt within 1 AU (the Sun-Earth distance). Simulations show that the system is in a dynamically stable configuration. Theoretical calculations favour a mainly rocky composition for both inner planets, while the outer planet probably has a significant gaseous envelope surrounding its rocky/icy core; the outer planet orbits within the habitable zone of this star.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, preprint of the paper published in Nature on May 18, 200

Mild temperature photothermal assisted anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory nanosystem for synergistic treatment of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis

Rationale: Endophthalmitis, which is one of the severest complications of cataract surgeries, can seriously threaten vision and even lead to irreversible blindness owing to its complicated microenvironment, including both local bacterial infection and severe inflammation. It is urgent to develop a comprehensive treatment for both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: Herein, we developed AuAgCu2O-bromfenac sodium nanoparticles (AuAgCu2O-BS NPs), which was designed to combine anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects for integrated therapy of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. The AuAgCu2O-BS NPs could eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterial strain relied on their photodynamic effects and the release of metal ions (Ag+ and Cu+) by the hollow AuAgCu2O nanostructures mediated mild photothermal effects. The anti-inflammatory drug, bromfenac sodium, released from the nanoparticles were able to significantly reduce the local inflammation of the endophthalmitis and promote tissue rehabilitation. In vivo bacterial elimination and anti-inflammation were confirmed by a postcataract endophthalmitis rabbit model. Results: Excellent antibacterial ability of AuAgCu2O-BS NPs was verified both in vitro and in vivo. Ophthalmological clinical observation and pathologic histology analysis showed prominent treatment of inflammatory reaction. Importantly, the mild temperature photothermal effect not only promoted the release of metal ions and bromfenac sodium but also avoided the thermal damage of the surrounding tissues, which was more suitable for the practical application of ophthalmology due to the complex structure of the eyeball. Moreover, superior biocompatibility was approved by the preliminary toxicity investigations, including low cytotoxicity, negligible damage to major organs, and stable intraocular pressure. Conclusions: Our studies of nanosystem provide a promising synergic therapeutic strategy for postcataract endophthalmitis treatment with favorable prognosis and promise in clinical translations.Peer reviewe

Association between the Mediterranean Diet Index and self-reported Gingival Health Status Indicators in a population of Chilean adults: a cross-sectional study

Despite the recognized impact of diet on non-communicable diseases, the association between the Mediterranean diet and periodontal diseases is still uncertain. This study aimed to determine the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Index (MDI) and self-reported gingival health status in Chilean adults, exploring the feasibility of using validated web-based survey questionnaires. Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from a representative sample of a population of Chilean adults (18-60 years old) using a low-cost and time-saving methodology. By the PsyToolkit platform, anonymous survey data were downloaded and analyzed in bivariate (crude) and backward stepwise selection multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic determinants, smoking, and dental attendance using STATA 17. Odds ratios (OR) [95% confidence intervals] were estimated. Results: In total, 351 complete statistical data were mostly obtained from female university students who had never smoked and reported having visited a dentist in the previous year. Multivariate regression models showed an association between MDI and very good/good gingival health status (OR 1.18 [95% CI 1.04-1.34], p=0.013), absence of bleeding on toothbrushing (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.01-1.25], p=0.035), and absence of clinical signs of gingival inflammation (OR 1.24 [95% CI 1.10-1.40], p<0.001), after controlling for age, sex, educational level, smoking, and dental attendance. Conclusions: We associated adherence to the Mediterranean diet with better self-reported gingival health status in a population of Chilean adults in an entirely web-based research environment. Longitudinal studies with random sampling are required to establish the effect of diet on gingival and periodontal health. Nevertheless, this evidence could contribute to the design of low-cost surveillance programs to reduce the burden of periodontal disease and related “common risk factors”

Unusually stronger quantum fluctuation with larger spins: Novel phenomena revealed by emergent magnetism in pressurized high-temperature superconductor FeSe

A counter-intuitive enhancement of quantum fluctuation with larger spins, together with a few novel physical phenomena, is discovered in studying the recently observed emergent magnetism in high-temperature superconductor FeSe under pressure. Starting with experimental crystalline structure from our high-pressure X-ray refinement, we analyze theoretically the stability of the magnetically ordered state with a realistic spin-fermion model. We find surprisingly that in comparison with the magnetically ordered Fe-pnictides, the larger spins in FeSe suffer even stronger long-range quantum fluctuation that diminishes their ordering at ambient pressure. This "fail-to-order" quantum spin liquid state then develops into an ordered state above 1GPa due to weakened fluctuation accompanying the reduction of anion height and carrier density. The ordering further benefits from the ferro-orbital order and shows the observed enhancement around 1GPa. We further clarify the controversial nature of magnetism and its interplay with nematicity in FeSe in the same unified picture for all Fe-based superconductors. In addition, the versatile itinerant carriers produce interesting correlated metal behavior in a large region of phase space. Our study establishes a generic exceptional paradigm of stronger quantum fluctuation with larger spins that complements the standard knowledge of insulating magnetism.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Exercise training decreases the load and changes the content of circulating SDS-resistant protein aggregates in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) often disrupts the protein quality control (PQC) system leading to protein aggregate accumulation. Evidence from tissue biopsies showed that exercise restores PQC system in HF; however, little is known about its effects on plasma proteostasis.AimTo determine the effects of exercise training on the load and composition of plasma SDS-resistant protein aggregates (SRA) in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).MethodsEighteen patients with HFrEF (age: 63.4 +/- 6.5 years; LVEF: 33.4 +/- 11.6%) participated in a 12-week combined (aerobic plus resistance) exercise program (60 min/session, twice per week). The load and content of circulating SRA were assessed using D2D SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life, and circulating levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), haptoglobin and ficolin-3, were also evaluated at baseline and after the exercise program.ResultsThe exercise program decreased the plasma SRA load (% SRA/total protein: 38.0 +/- 8.9 to 36.1 +/- 9.7%, p = 0.018; % SRA/soluble fraction: 64.3 +/- 27.1 to 59.8 +/- 27.7%, p = 0.003). Plasma SRA of HFrEF patients comprised 31 proteins, with alpha-2-macroglobulin and haptoglobin as the most abundant ones. The exercise training significantly increased haptoglobin plasma levels (1.03 +/- 0.40 to 1.11 +/- 0.46, p = 0.031), while decreasing its abundance in SRA (1.83 +/- 0.54 x 1011 to 1.51 +/- 0.59 x 1011, p = 0.049). Cardiorespiratory fitness [16.4(5.9) to 19.0(5.2) ml/kg/min, p = 0.002], quality of life, and circulating NT-proBNP [720.0(850.0) to 587.0(847.3) pg/mL, p = 0.048] levels, also improved after the exercise program.ConclusionExercise training reduced the plasma SRA load and enhanced PQC, potentially via haptoglobin-mediated action, while improving cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life of patients with HFrEF.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030011, Fundação para a Ciências e a Tecnologia (FCT) BEX 0554/14 - 6info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genome-wide signatures of complex introgression and adaptive evolution in the big cats.

The great cats of the genus Panthera comprise a recent radiation whose evolutionary history is poorly understood. Their rapid diversification poses challenges to resolving their phylogeny while offering opportunities to investigate the historical dynamics of adaptive divergence. We report the sequence, de novo assembly, and annotation of the jaguar (Panthera onca) genome, a novel genome sequence for the leopard (Panthera pardus), and comparative analyses encompassing all living Panthera species. Demographic reconstructions indicated that all of these species have experienced variable episodes of population decline during the Pleistocene, ultimately leading to small effective sizes in present-day genomes. We observed pervasive genealogical discordance across Panthera genomes, caused by both incomplete lineage sorting and complex patterns of historical interspecific hybridization. We identified multiple signatures of species-specific positive selection, affecting genes involved in craniofacial and limb development, protein metabolism, hypoxia, reproduction, pigmentation, and sensory perception. There was remarkable concordance in pathways enriched in genomic segments implicated in interspecies introgression and in positive selection, suggesting that these processes were connected. We tested this hypothesis by developing exome capture probes targeting ~19,000 Panthera genes and applying them to 30 wild-caught jaguars. We found at least two genes (DOCK3 and COL4A5, both related to optic nerve development) bearing significant signatures of interspecies introgression and within-species positive selection. These findings indicate that post-speciation admixture has contributed genetic material that facilitated the adaptive evolution of big cat lineages

Laser-Activatable CuS Nanodots to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Release Copper Ion to Accelerate Healing of Infected Chronic Nonhealing Wounds

Chronic nonhealing wounds have imposed serious challenges in the clinical practice, especially for the patients infected with multidrug-resistant microbes. Herein, we developed an ultrasmall copper sulfide (covellite) nanodots (CuS NDs) based dual functional nanosystem to cure multidrug-resistant bacteria-infected chronic nonhealing wound. The nanosystem could eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria and expedite wound healing simultaneously owing to the photothermal effect and remote control of copper-ion release. The antibacterial results indicated that the combination treatment of photothermal CuS NDs with photothermal effect initiated a strong antibacterial effect for drug-resistant pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, the released Cu2+ could promote fibroblast cell migration and endothelial cell angiogenesis, thus accelerating wound-healing effects. In MRSA-infected diabetic mice model, the nanosystem exhibited synergistic wound healing effect of infectious wounds in vivo and demonstrated negligible toxicity and nonspecific damage to major organs. The combination of ultrasmall CuS NDs with photothermal therapy displayed enhanced therapeutic efficacy for chronic nonhealing wound in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, which may represent a promising class of antibacterial strategy for clinical translation.Peer reviewe