Flow coupling during three-phase gravity drainage

We measure the three-phase oil relative permeability k(ro) by conducting unsteady-state drainage experiments in a 0.8 m water-wet sand pack. We find that when starting from capillary-trapped oil, k(ro) shows a strong dependence on both the flow of water and the water saturation and a weak dependence on oil saturation, contrary to most models. The observed flow coupling between water and oil is stronger in three-phase flow than two-phase flow, and cannot be observed in steady-state measurements. The results suggest that the oil is transported through moving gas-oil-water interfaces (form drag) or momentum transport across stationary interfaces (friction drag). We present a simple model of friction drag which compares favorably to the experimental data.University of Texas at AustinCenter for Frontiers of Subsurface Energy SecurityUS Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences DE-SC0001114Petroleum and Geosystems Engineerin

Navigation and interaction in a real-scale digital mock-up using natural language and user gesture

This paper tries to demonstrate a very new real-scale 3D system and sum up some firsthand and cutting edge results concerning multi-modal navigation and interaction interfaces. This work is part of the CALLISTO-SARI collaborative project. It aims at constructing an immersive room, developing a set of software tools and some navigation/interaction interfaces. Two sets of interfaces will be introduced here: 1) interaction devices, 2) natural language (speech processing) and user gesture. The survey on this system using subjective observation (Simulator Sickness Questionnaire, SSQ) and objective measurements (Center of Gravity, COG) shows that using natural languages and gesture-based interfaces induced less cyber-sickness comparing to device-based interfaces. Therefore, gesture-based is more efficient than device-based interfaces.FUI CALLISTO-SAR

Nutritional intervention and impact of polyphenol on glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects: systematic review and meta-analysis

Polyphenols have been extensively studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, their antiglycative actions by oxidative stress modulation have been linked to prevention of diabetes and associated complications. This paper assesses the evidence for polyphenol interventions on glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A systematic review of polyphenols clinical trials on HbA1c in humans was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thirty-six controlled randomized trials with HbA1c values were included. Polyphenols (extracts, supplements, foods), were supplemented (28 mg to 1.5g) for 0.7 to 12 months. Combining all subjects (n=1954, mean baseline HbA1c=7.03%, 53 mmol/mol), polyphenol supplementation significantly (p<0.001) lowered HbA1c% by -0.53±0.12 units (-5.79±0.13 mmol/mol). This reduction was significant (p<0.001) in T2DM subjects, specifically (n=1426, mean baseline HbA1c=7.44%, 58 mmol/mol), with HbA1c% lowered by -0.21±0.04 units (-2.29±0.4 mmol/mol). Polyphenol supplementation had no significant effect (p>0.21) in the non-diabetic (n=258, mean baseline HbA1c=5.47%, 36 mmol/mol) and the pre-diabetic subjects (n=270, mean baseline HbA1c=6.06%, 43 mmol/mol) strata: -0.39±0.27 HbA1c% units (-4.3±0.3 mmol/mol), and -0.38±0.31 units (-4.2±0.31 mmol/mol), respectively. In conclusion, polyphenols can successfully reduce HbA1c in T2DM, without any intervention at glycaemia, and could contribute to the prevention of diabetes complications

Evaluation of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of different fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) ecotypes essential oils from Iran

Background and Aims: The present study has evaluated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of five Iranian ecotypes of fennel. Methods: The Essential oils of five Iranian ecotypes of fennel have obtained from dried seeds using hydro distillation method.Variations in the essential oil compositions were determined using Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activities were tested against the strains Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans using disc paper and broth microdilution methods. Results: Our results show that all essential oils have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacterial strains. The essential oils have more sensitivity to gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria, however, some difference in antimicrobial activities of essential oils was observed for several microorganisms, which was attributed to the variation in percentage of the components. The most important identified compounds in all samples of fennel volatile oils were trans-anethole, estragole, fenchone, limonene, alphapinene and gamma-terpinene. Conclusions: This plant showed desire antibacterial effects and therefore is a good candidate for future investigation of development of new bactericidal and bacteriostatic agent investigation was developed to purify the essential component and estimate their effects

A New Goodness of Fit Measure Based on Income Inequality Curves

This paper uses inequality-measurement techniques to assess goodness of fit in income distribution models. It exposes the shortcomings of the use of conventional goodness of fit criteria in face of the big income data and proposes a new set of metrics, based on income inequality curves. In this note, we mentioned that the distance between theoretical and empirical inequality curves can be considered as a goodness of fit criterion. We demonstrate certain advantages of this measure over the other general goodness of fit criteria. Unlike other goodness of fit measures, this criterion is bounded. It is 0 in minimum difference and 1 in maximum distance. Furthermore, there is a consistency between this new goodness of fit measure and the other conventional criteria. A simulation study based on fitted distribution to real income data is performed in order to investigate some statistical properties of the new goodness of fit measure. An empirical study and comparisons are also provided

Application of rapid environmental impacts assessment matrix and Iranian matrix in environmental impact assessment of solid waste landfill of Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: یکی از مهمترین معضلات محیط زیستی تولید بیش از اندازه مواد زائد جامد شهری و مدیریت این مواد است. ارزیابی اثرات محیط زیستی (Environmental Impact Assessment= EIA) به عنوان راهکاری جهت به حداقل رساندن اثرات منفی دارای اهمیت است. هدف از این مطالعه استفاده از فرآیند EIA برای به حداقل رساندن اثرات محیط زیستی محل دفن زباله های شهرکرد و ارائه گزینه مناسب برای مدیران و برنامه ریزان این شهر بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی-تحلیلی ارزیابی اثرات محیط زیستی محل دفن پسماند جامد شهرکرد در سال 1391 با دو روش ماتریس ارزیابی سریع اثرات محیط زیستی (Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix= RIAM) و ماتریس ایرانی (ماتریس اصلاح شده لئوپولد) مبتنی بر بازدیدهای میدانی و جمع آوری اطلاعات از منابع متعدد انجام شد. مقایسه چهار گزینه موجود شامل ادامه دفن به شیوه کنونی، ارتقاء کیفیت دفن، احداث محل دفن بهداشتی جدید و احداث کارخانه کمپوست و بازیافت انجام شد. یافته ها: ادامه روند کنونی دفن دارای امتیاز در RIAM، 1443- و در ماتریس ایرانی 9/3- بود. امتیاز گزینه کمپوست بازیافت در RIAM، 816- و در ماتریس ایرانی 1 برآورد شد. همچنین در نتایج دو روش برای اولویت گذاری ارتقاء کیفیت دفن و احداث محل دفن بهداشتی اختلاف مشاهده شد. نتیجه گیری: بر اساس هر دو روش، ادامه دفن به شیوه کنونی از لحاظ بهداشتی غیر قابل قبول و ادامه روند کنونی همراه با آسیب های محیط زیستی شدید است. کارخانه کمپوست-بازیافت با توجه به پتانسیل پسماندهای تولیدی در این شهر در اولویت گزینه های موجود قرار دارد

Eddy current speed sensor with magnetic shielding

This paper presents the design and analysis of a new eddy current speed sensor with ferromagnetic shielding. Aluminum and solid iron are considered for the moving part. One excitation coil and two antiserially connected pick up coils are shielded by a thin steel lamination. 3D time stepping finite element analysis is used to analyze the sensor performance with different magnetic materials and compare with experimental results. The compactness, simplicity and excellent linearity with different magnetic materials for the moving part show uniqueness of the proposed speed sensor. The shielding increases sensitivity and reduces the influence of close ferromagnetic objects and interferences on the sensor performance

Transformer position sensor for a pneumatic cylinder

A novel transformer-based sensor for a pneumatic cylinder enables measurements of the piston position to be made through a thick conductive cylinder. Unlike existing industrial solutions, which are mainly based on a moving magnet, our sensors do not require modifications to the parts inside the cylinder