A new approach to upscaling fracture network models while preserving geostatistical and geomechanical characteristics

A new approach to upscaling two-dimensional fracture network models is proposed for preserving geostatistical and geomechanical characteristics of a smaller-scale “source” fracture pattern. First, the scaling properties of an outcrop system are examined in terms of spatial organization, lengths, connectivity, and normal/shear displacements using fractal geometry and power law relations. The fracture pattern is observed to be nonfractal with the fractal dimension D ≈ 2, while its length distribution tends to follow a power law with the exponent 2 < a < 3. To introduce a realistic distribution of fracture aperture and shear displacement, a geomechanical model using the combined finite-discrete element method captures the response of a fractured rock sample with a domain size L = 2 m under in situ stresses. Next, a novel scheme accommodating discrete-time random walks in recursive self-referencing lattices is developed to nucleate and propagate fractures together with their stress- and scale-dependent attributes into larger domains of up to 54 m × 54 m. The advantages of this approach include preserving the nonplanarity of natural cracks, capturing the existence of long fractures, retaining the realism of variable apertures, and respecting the stress dependency of displacement-length correlations. Hydraulic behavior of multiscale growth realizations is modeled by single-phase flow simulation, where distinct permeability scaling trends are observed for different geomechanical scenarios. A transition zone is identified where flow structure shifts from extremely channeled to distributed as the network scale increases. The results of this paper have implications for upscaling network characteristics for reservoir simulation

Low temperature plasma-catalytic NOx synthesis in a packed DBD reactor: effect of support materials and supported active metal oxides

The direct synthesis of NOx from N2 and O2 by non-thermal plasma at an atmospheric pressure and low temperature is presented, which is considered to be an attractive option for replacement of the Haber-Bosch process. In this study, the direct synthesis of NOx was studied by packing different catalyst support materials in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The support materials and their particle sizes both had a significant effect on the concentration of NOx. This is attributed to different surface areas, relative dielectric constants and particles shapes. The nitrogen could be fixed at substantially lowered temperatures by employing non-thermal plasma-catalytic DBD reactor, which can be used as an alternative technology for low temperature synthesis. The γ-Al2O3 with smallest particles size of 250–160 μm, gave the highest concentration of NOx and the lowest specific energy consumption of all the tested materials and particle sizes. The NOx concentration of 5700 ppm was reached at the highest residence time of 0.4 s and an N2/O2 feed ratio of 1 was found to be the most optimum for NOx production. In order to intensify the NOx production in plasma, a series of metal oxide catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 were tested in a packed DBD reactor. A 5% WO3/γ-Al2O3 catalyst increased the NOx concentration further by about 10% compared to γ-Al2O3, while oxidation catalysts such as Co3O4 and PbO provided a minor (∼5%) improvement. These data suggest that oxygen activation plays a minor role in plasma catalytic nitrogen fixation under the studied conditions with the main role ascribed to the generation of microdischarges on sharp edges of large-surface area plasma catalysts. However, when the loading of active metal oxides was increased to 10%, NO selectivity decreased, suggesting possibility of thermal oxidation of NO to NO2 through reaction with surface oxygen species

Non-Fermi liquid states in the pressurized CeCu2(Si1−xGex)2CeCu_2(Si_{1-x}Ge_x)_2 system: two critical points

In the archetypal strongly correlated electron superconductor CeCu$_2$Si$_2$ and its Ge-substituted alloys CeCu$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_{x}$)$_2$ two quantum phase transitions -- one magnetic and one of so far unknown origin -- can be crossed as a function of pressure \cite{Yuan 2003a}. We examine the associated anomalous normal state by detailed measurements of the low temperature resistivity ($\rho$) power law exponent $\alpha$. At the lower critical point (at $p_{c1}$, $1\leq\alpha\leq 1.5$) $\alpha$ depends strongly on Ge concentration $x$ and thereby on disorder level, consistent with a Hlubina-Rice-Rosch scenario of critical scattering off antiferromagnetic fluctuations. By contrast, $\alpha$ is independent of $x$ at the upper quantum phase transition (at $p_{c2}$, $\alpha\simeq 1$), suggesting critical scattering from local or Q=0 modes, in agreement with a density/valence fluctuation approach.Comment: 4 pages, including 4 figures. New results added. Significant changes on the text and Fig.

A Model for Backscattering from Quasi Periodic Corn Canopies at L-Band

In this study, a model for backscattering at L-band from a corn canopy is proposed. The canopy consists of a quasi-periodic distribution of stalks and a random distribution of leaves. The Distorted Born Approximation (DBA) is employed to calculate the single scattered return from the corn field. The new feature of the method is that the coherence of the stalks in the row direction is incorporated in the model in a systematic fashion. Since the wavelength is on the order of the distance between corn stalks in a row, grating lobe behavior is observed at certain azimuth angles of incidence. The results are compared with experimental values measured in Huntsville, Alabama in 1998. The mean field and the effective dielectric constant of the canopy are obtained by using the Foldy approximation. The stalks are placed in the effective medium in a two dimensional lattice to simulate the row structure of a corn field. In order to mimic a real corn field, a quasi-periodic stalk distribution is assumed where the stalks are given small random perturbations about their lattice locations. Corn leaves are also embedded in the effective medium and the backscattered field from the stalks and the leaves is computed. The backscattering coefficient is calculated and averaged over successive stalk position perturbations. It is assumed that soil erosion has smoothed the soil sufficiently so that it can be assumed flat. Corn field backscatter data was collected from cornfields during the Huntsville 98 experimental campaign held at Alabama A&M University Research Station, Huntsville, Alabama in 1998 using the NASA/GW truck mounted radar. Extensive ground truth data was collected. This included soil moisture measurements and corn plant architectural data to be used in the model. In particular, the distances between the stalks in a single row have been measured. The L-band radar backscatter data was collected for both H and V polarizations and for look angles of 15o and 45o over a two week period under varying soil moisture conditions. These measured backscattering values will be compared with the model backscattering values and a discussion of the results will be presented

Identification of a novel TSC2 c.3610G > A, p.G1204R mutation contribute to aberrant splicing in a patient with classical tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hamartomas in any organ systems. Mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene lead to the dysfunction of hamartin or tuberin proteins, which cause tuberous sclerosis complex. Case presentation: We describe the clinical characteristics of patients from a Chinese family with tuberous sclerosis complex and analyze the functional consequences of their causal genetic mutations. A novel heterozygous mutation (c.3610G &gt; A) at the last nucleotide of exon 29 in TSC2 was identified. On the protein level, this variant was presumed to be a missense mutation (p.Gly1204Arg). However, the splicing assay revealed that this mutation also leads to the whole TSC2 exon 29 skipping, besides the wild-type transcript. The mutated transcript results in an in-frame deletion of 71 amino acids (p.Gly1133_Thr1203del) and its ratio with the normal splice product is of about 44:56. Conclusions: The novel c.3610G &gt; A TSC2 mutation was identified in association with tuberous sclerosis complex. And it was proven to code both for a missense-carrying transcript (56%), and for an isoform lacking exon 29 (44%)

Carbon in the Deep Biosphere: Forms, Fates, and Biogeochemical Cycling

Building on the synthesis of carbon reservoirs in Earth\u27s subsurface, this chapter focuses on the forms, cycling, and fate of the carbon supporting microbial life in the terrestrial and marine subsurface. As the subsurface is estimated to host a vast reservoir of life on Earth, identifying the carbon compounds that life uses for energy and growth is key to understanding ecosystem functioning in the past and at present, and also for extrapolating these findings to the search for life in the universe. This chapter highlights advances in quantifying small carbon compounds, measuring rates of carbon turnover, and the fate of carbon in the deep biosphere

Carbon in the Deep Biosphere: Forms, Fates, and Biogeochemical Cycling

Building on the synthesis of carbon reservoirs in Earth\u27s subsurface, this chapter focuses on the forms, cycling, and fate of the carbon supporting microbial life in the terrestrial and marine subsurface. As the subsurface is estimated to host a vast reservoir of life on Earth, identifying the carbon compounds that life uses for energy and growth is key to understanding ecosystem functioning in the past and at present, and also for extrapolating these findings to the search for life in the universe. This chapter highlights advances in quantifying small carbon compounds, measuring rates of carbon turnover, and the fate of carbon in the deep biosphere

Genomic Evidence for Formate Metabolism by as the Key to Unlocking Deep Carbon in Lost City Microbial Ecosystems

The Lost City hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge supports dense microbial life on the lofty calcium carbonate chimney structures. The vent field is fueled by chemical reactions between the ultramafic rock under the chimneys and ambient seawater. These serpentinization reactions provide reducing power (as hydrogen gas) and organic compounds that can serve as microbial food; the most abundant of these are methane and formate. Previous studies have characterized the interior of the chimneys as a single-species biofilm inhabited by the Lost City , but they also indicated that this methanogen is unable to metabolize formate. The new metagenomic results presented here indicate that carbon cycling in these Lost City chimney biofilms could depend on the metabolism of formate by populations. Additionally, we present evidence for metabolically diverse, formate-utilizing populations and new genomic and phylogenetic insights into the unique Lost City Primitive forms of life may have originated around hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ancient ocean. The Lost City hydrothermal vent field, fueled by just rock and water, provides an analog for not only primitive ecosystems but also potential extraterrestrial rock-powered ecosystems. The microscopic life covering the towering chimney structures at the Lost City has been previously documented, yet little is known about the carbon cycling in this ecosystem. These results provide a better understanding of how carbon from the deep subsurface can fuel rich microbial ecosystems on the seafloor