Application of superparamagnetic nanoparticle-based heating for non-abrasive removal of wax deposits from subsea oil pipelines

Flow assurance is a critical problem in the oil and gas industry, as an increasing number of wells are drilled in deep water and ultra-deep water environments. High pressures and temperatures as low as 5°C in these environments hinder flow of hydrocarbon-based fluids by formation of methane hydrate and wax deposits on the inner surface of pipelines. Commonly used methods for removal of deposits from pipelines are chemical injection and foam or gel pigs, which face several limitations. In our work, an application to use superparamagnetic nanoparticle-based heating for flow assurance, in the form of a magnetic nanopaint is presented. Superparamagnetic nanoparticle-based heating has been extensively researched in the biomedical industry for cancer treatment by hyperthermia. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles in dispersions generate heat by application of an oscillating magnetic field as explained by Neel’s relaxation theory. In our application, superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are embedded in a thin layer of cured epoxy termed ‘nanopaint’. This nanopaint coating on the internal surface of subsea pipelines could generate heat and thus remove formation of methane hydrates and wax. In our work, the role of key parameters affecting heating performance of superparamagnetic nanoparticles such as particle size, and magnetic field is quantified. Rigorous characterization of physical and magnetic properties of nanoparticles and nanopaint is performed. This is correlated to and used to optimize the heating performance. Heating performance of several samples of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles varying in size distribution is evaluated in static experiments. Two samples having similar physical and magnetic properties are compared in terms of the correlation between their size distribution and their heating performance. Performance of nanopaint to heat static fluids, flowing fluids and wax deposit is evaluated. Heating performance of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in dispersions and in nanopaint is found to be similar and so it is concluded that Neel’s relaxation theory is applicable to nanopaint. Heating performance of nanopaint in flow experiment is found to be better than in static experiments by a factor greater than 5. A correlation of heating performance of nanopaint at magnetic fields of 100 to 1000 A/m is developed. Finally, implementation issues of nanopaint are addressed. The effect of low ambient temperatures on nanopaint heating performance is evaluated. The theoretical feasibility of generating a magnetic field inside a pipeline is studied. A COMSOL model is used to verify the feasibility of magnetic field propagation inside a steel pipeline and is subsequently used to evaluate nanopaint heating of wax deposits in pipeline. Material and power requirements are analyzed and optimized using the COMSOL model.Petroleum and Geosystems Engineerin

Study of fetomaternal implications in intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pathological condition in which a fetus has not achieved its genetic growth potential. FGR incidence is 6 times higher in underdeveloped and developing countries as compared to the developed world. Methods: This is a retrospective study done in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, civil hospital and B. J. Medical college, Ahmedabad over the period of 6 months from December 2022 to May 2023. A total of 30 cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies were studied. Results: Majority of the study population, 60% belonged to younger age group of 20-30 years. Multiparity was associated with IUGR babies. Majority of patients i.e. 76.66%. Presented at gestational age of ≥37 weeks and 23.33% at <37 weeks. Most IUGR babies (73.33%) had a birth weight between 2 to 2.5 kg. One third of babies required NICU admission while the perinatal mortality was 10%. Doppler changes in umbilical artery were noted in 27% of cases of IUGR. Among risk factors anemia, preeclampsia and oligohydramnios had equal contributions at 10% each. Previous history for SGA baby is a significant association in 16% of cases. Induction of labor was done in 60% cases, 63% were delivered vaginally and rest via lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), the most common indication of LSCS was fetal distress. Conclusions: The study concluded that IUGR continues to be one of the major etiological factors for fetal morbidity and mortality and increase in rates of LSCS contributing maternal morbidity. IUGR was commonly observed in multigravida patients lacking antenatal care. Anemia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as well as oligohydramnios are the potential risk factors for IUGR

Mustard Magic: A Palate-Pleasing Review

This comprehensive review article explores the medicinal properties and key bioactive components of Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, and Sinapis alba. These three members of the Brassicaceae family have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential. We provide an in-depth analysis of the bioactive compounds present in each plant, shedding light on their pharmacological properties and potential health benefits. From anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant effects to potential anticancer properties, we examine the diverse medicinal applications of these Brassica species. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the subject, offering a valuable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in the medicinal aspects of Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra and Sinapis alb

Use of zinc solubilizing biofertilizers for increasing the growth and yield of cereals: A review

In recent years, the increase due to the rise in the high yielding verities led to the high-rate application of chemicals and pesticides in the soil. These chemical fertilizers give great responses to the farmers on a short-term basis, but in the long term, they harm the soil and human health by interfering in the food chain. The use of biofertilizers is a very good alternative for crop production in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner. Numerous bacteria and fungi can be used as biofertilizers for making the essential nutrients available to the plants which are associated with the rhizosphere of different crops, either symbiotically or non-symbiotically. Zinc plays a vital role in crop growth and achieving a great yield among the various macro and micronutrients. Zinc is responsible for Auxin synthesis, chlorophyll formation, protein metabolism, carbohydrate fixation, disease and stress tolerance. Zn deficiency is a global issue that gradually lowers crop output and productivity. Using zinc solubilizing microorganisms is one of the most effective sustainable approaches to achieving higher yield and restoring soil productivity. These microorganisms solubilize the available zinc pool in the soil so plants can easily uptake zinc. Bacillus subtilis, Thiobacillus thioxidans, Rhizobium, Pantoea sp., Gluconacetobacter, Saccharomyces sp. and PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) are involved in zinc solubilizing process and boost the soluble zinc in the soil. Using zinc solubilizers can reduce the fertilizer requirement of the crop to about 25-50% in combination with inorganic zinc fertilizers, so it reduces overall fertilizer cost

Joint Representation of Spatial and Phonetic Features in the Human Core Auditory Cortex

The human auditory cortex simultaneously processes speech and determines the location of a speaker in space. Neuroimaging studies in humans have implicated core auditory areas in processing the spectrotemporal and the spatial content of sound; however, how these features are represented together is unclear. We recorded directly from human subjects implanted bilaterally with depth electrodes in core auditory areas as they listened to speech from different directions. We found local and joint selectivity to spatial and spectrotemporal speech features, where the spatial and spectrotemporal features are organized independently of each other. This representation enables successful decoding of both spatial and phonetic information. Furthermore, we found that the location of the speaker does not change the spectrotemporal tuning of the electrodes but, rather, modulates their mean response level. Our findings contribute to defining the functional organization of responses in the human auditory cortex, with implications for more accurate neurophysiological models of speech processing

Association between CHA2DS2-VASc score and in-hospital death in ICU patients with COVID-19

Background: CHA2DS2-VASc score is a scientifically proven risk assessment score for patients with atrial fibrillation. It may be a good predictor of in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between CHA2DS2-VASc score and in-hospital mortality in the prognosis of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19. Methods: Eighty-four COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in the ICU were retrospectively analyzed in a tertiary health care center, and the CHA2DS2-VASc score was determined. All analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, 20.0). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The median age of patients was 60.0 years, and most were males (75.0%). Findings of the study showed that the CHA2DS2-VASc score was considerably higher among the hospitalized patients than discharged patients (3.08 ± 1.72 vs. 1.38 ± 1.16; p<0.001), and patients who required mechanical ventilation compared to those who did not require mechanical ventilation (3.03 ± 1.68 vs. 1.15 ± 0.97; P <0.001), respectively. Patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥3 had substantially higher age [67(45-87) vs. 58(19-75); P ˂0.001], computed tomography involvement score [67.5(20-90) vs. 35(15-90); P ˂0.001] and need for mechanical ventilation [29(90.6%) vs. 22(42.3%); P ˂0.001]. A significant difference was found in oxygen saturation on admission (P =0.001) between the two groups. In-hospital death was significantly higher among patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥3 (P <0.001). The CHA2DS2-VASc score was positively correlated with white blood cells count (r=0.257, P =0.018) and negatively correlated with the number of days spent in the hospital (r=-0.184, P=0.130) due to higher in-hospital death in ICU patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: CHA2DS2-VASc score may be an effective tool to estimate in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in the ICU

The Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux Blewitti is Nested Within the Currently Recognized Athene Clade: A Century-Old Debate Addressed

Range-restricted species generally have specific niche requirements and may often have unique evolutionary histories. Unfortunately, many of these species severely lack basic research, resulting in poor conservation strategies. The phylogenetic relationship of the Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti has been the subject of a century-old debate. The current classifications based on non-phylogenetic comparisons of morphology place the small owls of Asia into three genera, namely, Athene, Glaucidium, and Heteroglaux. Based on morphological and anatomical data, H. blewitti has been alternatively hypothesized to belong within Athene, Glaucidium, or its own monotypic genus Heteroglaux. To test these competing hypotheses, we sequenced six loci (~4300 bp data) and performed phylogenetic analyses of owlets. Mitochondrial and nuclear trees were not congruent in their placement of H. blewitti. However, both mitochondrial and nuclear combined datasets showed strong statistical support with high maximum likelihood bootstrap (\u3e/ = 90) and Bayesian posterior probability values (\u3e/ = 0.98) for H. blewitti being nested in the currently recognized Athene group, but not sister to Indian A. brama. The divergence of H. blewitti from its sister taxa was between 4.3 and 5.7 Ma coinciding with a period of drastic climatic changes in the Indian subcontinent. This study presented the first genetic analysis of H. blewitti, a Critically Endangered species, and addressed the long debate on the relationships of the Athene-Heteroglaux-Glaucidium complex. We recommend further studies with more data and complete taxon sampling to understand the biogeography of Indian Athene species

Remote Data Acquisition and Visualization on an App

In order to allow power consumers to have a better understanding of their industrial electricity, it is necessary to provide them with real-time electricity information. Now a days we need to do meter reading, analysis manually. If any meter is goes down or fluctuating we need to do manual servicing and troubleshooting. It may cause meter loss, Time loss, and financial loss. The platform enables power consumers to have a better understanding of their own electricity consumption status and reasonable arrangements for use of electricity. Its deployment is very simple. For users, they do not need to change the household electricity structure. They can easily view the home electricity information and real-time monitor and control after installing power information visualization APP on their mobile phones or other mobile terminals. User interaction needs to collect power information of all equipment, and provide users with real-time electricity price and electricity information. The basic purpose of system is M-Measure, A-Analysis, R-Record, and CControl. No human intervention for data processing analysis. This is use for Power quality analysis, Identification and prevention of downtime of assets, Alarms and triggers are used for preventive control to avoid loss. Reduce the losses by monitoring and controlling the power quality. Accurate analytics depending on the load connected to the system. It supports most of all make sensors and hardware meters to work with the system. Periodical analysis of the organization for the complete energy health check-up