Fluid substitution in porous rocks with aligned cracks: Theory versus numerical modeling

The effect of penny-shaped cracks on the elastic properties of porous media is modeled using static finite element modeling (FEM) code. Anisotropic Gassmann theory is used to predict the effective properties of the saturated cracked media from their dry properties. There is an excellent agreement between numerical results and theory, with a small error associated with partially inequilibrated patches of fluid in the FEM. These patches of fluid result in a residual stiffness which can be subtracted from the FEM results to further improve agreement with Gassmann theory

Predicting sex from brain rhythms with deep learning

We have excellent skills to extract sex from visual assessment of human faces, but assessing sex from human brain rhythms seems impossible. Using deep convolutional neural networks, with unique potential to find subtle differences in apparent similar patterns, we explore if brain rhythms from either sex contain sex specific information. Here we show, in a ground truth scenario, that a deep neural net can predict sex from scalp electroencephalograms with an accuracy of >80% (p < 10-5), revealing that brain rhythms are sex specific. Further, we extracted sex-specific features from the deep net filter layers, showing that fast beta activity (20-25 Hz) and its spatial distribution is a main distinctive attribute. This demonstrates the ability of deep nets to detect features in spatiotemporal data unnoticed by visual assessment, and to assist in knowledge discovery. We anticipate that this approach may also be successfully applied to other specialties where spatiotemporal data is abundant, including neurology, cardiology and neuropsychology

Finite element modelling of the effective elastic properties of partially saturated rocks

Simulation of effective physical properties from microtomographic 3D images of porous structures allows one to relate properties of rocks directly to their microstructure. A static FEM code has been previously used to estimate effective elastic properties of fully saturated monomineralic (quartz) rock under wet and dry conditions. We use the code to calculate elastic properties under partially saturated conditions. The numerical predictions are compared to the Gassmann theory combined with Wood's formula (GW) for a mixture of pore fluids, which is exact for a monomineralic macroscopically homogeneous porous medium. Results of the numerical simulations performed for two Boolean sphere pack distributions show significant deviation from the GW limit and depend on the spatial distribution of fluids. This is shown to be a numerical artefact caused by incomplete equilibration of fluid pressure, which is primarily due to insufficient spatial resolution. To investigate the effect of pore-size and pore geometry, we perform FEM simulations for a model with regular pore geometry, where all pore channels have the same size and shape. Accuracy of these simulations increases with the total cross-section area of the channels and the size of individual channels. For the case where the total cross-section of the channels is large enough (on the same order as total porosity), there is a minimum of 4 voxels per channel diameter required for adequate fluid pressure equilibration throughout the pore space. Increasing the spatial resolution of the digital models reduces the discrepancy between the simulations and theory, but unfortunately increases the memory and CPU requirements of the simulations

Mean sea level variability in the North Sea: Processes and implications

Mean sea level (MSL) variations across a range of time scales are examined for the North Sea under the consideration of different forcing factors since the late 19th century. We use multiple linear regression models, which are validated for the second half of the 20th century against the output of a tide+surge model, to determine the barotropic response of the ocean to fluctuations in atmospheric forcing. We find that local atmospheric forcing mainly initiates MSL variability on time scales up to a few years, with the inverted barometric effect dominating the variability along the UK and Norwegian coastlines and wind controlling the MSL variability in the south from Belgium up to Denmark. On decadal time scales, MSL variability mainly reflects steric changes, which are largely forced remotely. A spatial correlation analysis of altimetry observations and gridded steric heights suggests evidence for a coherent signal extending from the Norwegian shelf down to the Canary Islands. This fits with the theory of longshore wind forcing along the eastern boundary of the North Atlantic causing coastally trapped waves to propagate over thousands of kilometers along the continental slope. Implications of these findings are assessed with statistical Monte-Carlo experiments. It is demonstrated that the removal of known variability increases the signal to noise ratio with the result that: (i) linear trends can be estimated more accurately; (ii) possible accelerations (as expected, e.g., due to anthropogenic climate change) can be detected much earlier. Such information is of crucial importance for anticipatory coastal management, engineering, and planning

A Phase III, randomized study to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an MF59®-adjuvanted A/H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine in HIV-positive adults

AbstractBackground and aimsAntibody responses to vaccines are suboptimal in immunosuppressed HIV-positive individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of MF59® adjuvant or a second A/H1N1 influenza vaccine dose in HIV-positive adults.MethodHIV-positive adults (n=61) and HIV-negative controls (n=93) aged 18–60years received two doses of A/H1N1, either as MF59-adjuvanted A/H1N1 pandemic vaccine, or as part of a unadjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine containing the pandemic strain. Immunogenicity was assessed against the vaccine strain, A/California/7/2009, by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay three weeks after the administration of each vaccine dose. Local and systemic reactions were recorded for three days after each vaccination. Unsolicited adverse events were recorded throughout the six-week study period.ResultsBoth adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccines met the European licensure criteria in HIV-positive and HIV-negative study groups after a single dose. Lower antibody titres were observed with both adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccine in HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative subjects. A second dose of either vaccine did not compensate for the lower response of HIV-infected subjects. In HIV-positive subjects, CD4+ T cell counts and levels of CD38 expression on CD8+ T cells remained stable throughout the study period. Both vaccine formulations were generally well tolerated, with no increased reactogenicity observed in response to the adjuvanted vaccine.ConclusionAntibody responses in HIV-positive subjects were acceptable but lower than those in healthy control subjects, whether subjects were immunized with one or two doses of adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccine. Vaccination did not affect rates of HIV replication, CD4+ T cells counts, or levels of CD38 expression among patients under successful antiretroviral treatment

Energy levels of Re187

The gamma rays of Re187 following beta decay of the 24-hr. W187 have been studied using prompt and delayed coincidence techniques. A total of 25 gamma rays was found. Relative intensities are given for the gamma transitions. The directional correlation of the 552-keV-134-keV cascade has been measured. A decay scheme is proposed on the basis of the coincidence measurements. Spins and parities of the principal levels are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32406/1/0000481.pd