Effects of non-Darcy flow and pore proximity on gas condensate production from nanopore unconventional resources

Transport properties and mechanisms as well as phase behavior under nanoscale confinement exhibit significant deviations from their bulk behavior. Phase behavior due to the significant effect of molecule-wall interactions as well as molecule-molecule interactions changes in nanopores. Additionally, in nanopores, when the mean free path of molecules is in the order of the pore radius, non-Darcy flow occurs. This phenomenon causes an increase in effective permeability of the flowing fluid. In this study, we focus on analyzing and determining the effect of phase behavior and transport properties change due to pore proximity on production from a shale gas condensate reservoir. Also, by Applying second-order Klinkenberg’s equation, effect of non-Darcy flow on production from the simulated reservoir is analyzed. Additionally, the effect of different connectivities between pore sizes on production is studied. A shale gas condensate reservoir with an Eagle Ford gas condensate as the reservoir fluid is modeled. The fluid contains 80% of light (C1-C3), 10% of intermediate (C4-C6), 10% of heavy components (C7+). The pore volume of the reservoir is divided into regions based on pore size distributions obtained from MICP experiments on Eagle Ford shale samples. Random and series connectives between pores are considered. Results indicated that when considering the decreasing pore size in the reservoir, fluid tends to behave more like a dry gas with the two-phase region shrinking therefore condensate drop-out and near wellbore permeability impairment is reduced. Considering effect of confinement did not greatly affect gas production but the liquid production increased significantly. After 15 years of production, Gas and condensate viscosities under confinement decrease 3-16% and 10-50% respectively. In general, phase behavior effect has a positive contribution to production while considering permeability variation with pore size has a negative impact on production. Connectivity type between different pore sizes has a pronounced effect and determines which of these factors has more impact on production. Results indicated that the non-Darcy flow is absent in the early stages of production where the pressure is significantly high. But as the reservoir pressure falls below 2000 psia, slip and transition flow occurs and results in an increase in apparent permeability and up to 5% in production. The results of this study can contribute significantly to our understanding of gas condensation and transport in shale formations thereby enabling improved field planning, well placement, completions design and facilities management

Facial Expression and emotion Recognition through Serious game and Kinect device

The human face is considered to be a social stimulus that provides crucial information about a person. Knowing how to read and interpret micro-expressions is an essential part of understanding non-verbal behaviour and reading people. In this study, facial expression features are captured by Kinect Xbox and EMG (electromyography). That are interfaced with the game engine (Unity3D) to read the pose and expressions. Artificial intelligence algorithms are utilized to develop the serious game (SG) that is capable of tracking facial features in a real-time. Procedural Content Generation (PCG) is employed to generate elements of the game’s level to alleviate the work of designing each part of the level with different difficulty

Fire detection of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in a Mixed Reality-based System

This paper proposes the employment of a low-cost Micro-electro-mechanical system including; inertial measurement unit (IMU), a consumer-grade digital camera and a fire detection algorithm with a nano unmanned aerial vehicle for inspection application. The video stream (monocular camera) and navigation data (IMU) rely on state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor navigation system. The system combines robotic operating system and computer vision techniques to render metric scale of monocular vision and gravity observable to provide robust, accurate and novel inter-frame motion estimates. The collected onboard data are communicated to the ground station and processed using a Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) system. A robust and efficient re-localisation SLAM was performed to recover from tracking failure, motion blur and frame lost in the received data. The fire detection algorithm was deployed based on the colour, movement attributes, temporal variation of fire's intensity and its accumulation around a point. A cumulative time derivative matrix was used to detect areas with fire's high-frequency luminance flicker (random characteristic) to analyse the frame-by-frame changes. We considered colour, surface coarseness, boundary roughness and skewness features while the quadrotor flies autonomously within clutter and congested areas. Mixed Reality system was adopted to visualise and test the proposed system in a physical/virtual environment. The results showed that the UAV could successfully detect fire and flame, fly towards and hover around it, communicate with the ground station and generate SLAM system

An adaptive self-organizing fuzzy logic controller in a serious game for motor impairment rehabilitation

Rehabiliation robotics combined with video game technology provides a means of assisting in the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular disorders by performing various facilitation movements. The current work presents ReHabGame, a serious game using a fusion of implemented technologies that can be easily used by patients and therapists to assess and enhance sensorimotor performance and also increase the activities in the daily lives of patients. The game allows a player to control avatar movements through a Kinect Xbox, Myo armband and rudder foot pedal, and involves a series of reach-grasp-collect tasks whose difficulty levels are learnt by a fuzzy interface. The orientation, angular velocity, head and spine tilts and other data generated by the player are monitored and saved, whilst the task completion is calculated by solving an inverse kinematics algorithm which orientates the upper limb joints of the avatar. The different values in upper body quantities of movement provide fuzzy input from which crisp output is determined and used to generate an appropriate subsequent rehabilitation game level. The system can thus provide personalised, autonomously-learnt rehabilitation programmes for patients with neuromuscular disorders with superior predictions to guide the development of improved clinical protocols compared to traditional theraputic activities

Assessment of stylohyoid ligament in patients with Eagle’s syndrome and patients with asymptomatic elongated styloid process: A cone-beam computed tomography study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the calcification patterns of the stylohyoid ligament in Eagle’s syndrome (ES) patients, and asymptomatic patients with elongated styloid process (SP) via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A total of 52 CBCT images in two symptomatic (ES) and asymptomatic groups (n = 26 per group) were assessed. The mean length and thickness of the SP, morphology, and pattern of calcification between the two sides in each group and between ES and asymptomatic groups were compared. The t-test was used for comparison. Fisher exact and chi-square tests were used to determine the relationship between different types of calcification pattern and morphology. The level of significance was considered at P < 0.050. RESULTS: The SP was thicker in the ES group than the asymptomatic group. However, the styloid length showed no significant difference among the ES and asymptomatic groups. The most common pattern of calcification in both groups was partially calcified with no significant difference between the two study groups. The most common morphology in the asymptomatic and ES groups was “segmented” and “elongated,” respectively. CONCLUSION: The morphology and thickness of the SP showed a significant difference between the ES and asymptomatic groups. This can be helpful in differential diagnosis of facial, pharyngeal, and tonsillar pain. KEYWORDS: Eagle Syndrome; Elongated Styloid Process Syndrome; Cone Beam Computed Tomograph

Integration of Data-Driven Process Re-Engineering and Process Interdependence for Manufacturing Optimization Supported by Smart Structured Data

Process re-engineering and optimization in manufacturing industries is a big challenge because of process interdependencies characterized by a high failure rate. Research has shown that over 70% of approaches fail because of complexity as a result of process interdependencies during the implementation phase. This paper investigates data from a manufacturing operation and designs a filtration algorithm to analyze process interdependencies as a new approach for process optimization. The algorithm examines the data from a manufacturing process to identify limitations through cause and effect relationships and implements changes to achieve an optimized result. The proposed cause and effect approach of re-engineering is termed the Khan-Hassan-Butt (KHB) methodology, and it can filter the process interdependencies and use those as key decision-making tools. It provides an improved process optimization framework that incorporates data analysis along with a cause and effect algorithm to filter out the process interdependencies as an approach to increase output and reduce failure factors simultaneously. It also provides a framework for filtering the manufacturing data into smart structured data. Based on the proposed KHB methodology, the study investigated a production line process using the WITNESS Horizon 22 simulation package and analyzed the efficiency of the proposed approach for production optimization. A case study is provided that integrated the KHB methodology with data-driven process re-engineering to analyze the process interdependencies to use them as decision-making tools for production optimization

Intramedullary cement osteosynthesis (IMCO): a pilot study in sheep

The application of bone substitutes and cements has a long standing history in augmenting fractures as a complement to routine fracture fixation techniques. Nevertheless, such use is almost always in conjunction with definite means of fracture fixation such as intramedullary pins or bone plates. The idea of using biomaterials as the primary fixation bears the possibility of simultaneous fixation and bone enhancement. Intramedullary recruitment of bone cements is suggested in this study to achieve this goal. However, as the method needs primary testings in animal models before human implementation, and since the degree of ambulation is not predictable in animals, this pilot study only evaluates the outcomes regarding the feasibility and safety of this method in the presence of primary bone fixators. A number of two sheep were used in this study. Tibial transverse osteotomies were performed in both animals followed by external skeletal fixation. The medullary canals, which have already been prepared by removing the marrow through proximal and distal drill holes, were then injected with calcium phosphate cement (CPC). The outcomes were evaluated postoperatively by standard survey radiographs, morphology, histology and biomechanical testings. Healing processes appeared uncomplicated until week four where one bone fracture recurred due to external fixator failure. The results showed 56% and 48% cortical thickening, compared to the opposite site, in the fracture site and proximal and distal diaphyses respectively. This bone augmentative effect resulted in 264% increase in bending strength of the fracture site and 148% increase of the same value in the adjacent areas of diaphyses. In conclusion, IMCO, using CPC in tibia of sheep, is safe and biocompatible with bone physiology and healing. It possibly can carry the osteopromotive effect of the CPCs to provide a sustained source of bone augmentation throughout the diaphysis. Although the results must be considered preliminary, this method has possible advantages over conventional methods of bone fixation at least in bones with compromised quality (i.e. osteoporosis and bone cysts), where rigid metal implants may jeopardize eggshell cortices

Validity of the Kinect and Myo armband in a serious game for assessing upper limb movement

A cost-effective, easily-accessible neuro-motor rehabilitation solution is proposed that can determine the range of motion and the kinematic ability of participants. A serious game comprising four-scenarios are developed in which the players control an avatar that mirrors the rotations of the upper-limb joints through multi-channel-input devices (Kinect, Myo, FootPedal). Administered functional reach tests (FRT) challenge the player to interact with a 3D-environment while standing or sitting and using the FootPedal which simulates the action of walking whilst body movement is measured concurrently. The FRT’s complexity level is adapted using a Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm which determines a virtual object’s position based on the proved ability of the user. Twenty-three volunteers were recruited to play the game in 45-minute sessions. The data show that the system has a more positive impact on players performance and is more motivating than formal therapy. The visual representation of the trajectory of the objects is shown to increase the perception of the participants voluntary/involuntary upper extremity movement, and the results show a comparable inter-session reliability (acceptable-good) over two repeated sessions. A high Pearson correlation demonstrates the validity of using Kinect and Myo devices in assessing upper-limb rehabilitation, and the timing and the clinically relevant movement data have a higher accuracy when the devices are paired

A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Laboratory Findings of COVID-19 between Intensive Care Unit and Non-Intensive Care Unit Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Observational Study from Iranian Network for Research in Viral

Introduction: To date, little is known about the clinical features of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).&nbsp;Objective: Herein, we aimed to describe the differences in demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical presentations, and outcomes of Iranian pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU versus those in non-ICU settings.&nbsp;Methods: This multicenter investigation involved 15 general and pediatrics hospitals and included cases with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection based on positive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) admitted to these centers between March and May 2020, during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.&nbsp;Results: Overall, 166 patients were included, 61 (36.7%) of whom required ICU admission. The highest number of admitted cases to ICU were in the age group of 1–5 years old. Malignancy and heart diseases were the most frequent underlying conditions. Dyspnea was the major symptom for ICU-admitted patients. There were significant decreases in PH, HCO3 and base excess, as well as increases in creatinine, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and potassium levels between ICU-admitted and non-ICU patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, and acute cardiac injury were the most common features among ICU-admitted patients. The mortality rate in the ICU-admitted patients was substantially higher than non-ICU cases (45.9% vs. 1.9%, respectively; p&lt;0.001).&nbsp;Conclusions: Underlying diseases were the major risk factors for the increased ICU admissions and mortality rates in pediatric COVID-19 patients. There were few paraclinical parameters that could differentiate between pediatrics in terms of prognosis and serious outcomes of COVID-19. Healthcare providers should consider children as a high-risk group, especially those with underlying medical conditions

Compositional reactive-transport modeling of engineered waterflooding

It is widely accepted that oil recovery during waterflooding can be improved by modifying the composition of the injected brine in a process known as low salinity/ engineered waterflooding. In recent years, several studies, ranging from laboratory corefloods to field trials, have shown the positive effect of engineered waterflooding on oil recovery; however, a few studies have shown no benefit gain from this approach. The inconsistency in responses is because the main mechanism underpinning this recovery method is not fully understood. Several mechanisms have been proposed as the dominant mechanism of engineered waterflooding. Although wettability alteration is believed to be the principal mechanism of engineered waterflooding, the main mechanism leading to wettability alteration is not yet agreed upon. In this research, we follow a systematic approach to develop a model that can be used to evaluate the efficiency of the engineered waterflooding process at different length-scales. We hypothesize that wettability alteration, as a consequence of changes in surface charges at oil/brine and brine/rock interfaces, is the underlying mechanism of engineered waterflooding. We perform surface complexation modeling and contact angle calculation to explain the mechanism of the process at small length-scales. We then implement the developed model into UTCOMP-IPhreeqc, a compositional reactive-transport simulator, developed at The University of Texas at Austin. We conduct coreflood history-matching on carbonate and sandstone cores to validate the model and interpret the underlying mechanism of the process. Finally, we employ the model to assess the applicability and efficiency of engineered waterflooding in field-scale scenarios. Most of the experimental and modeling studies performed in the area of engineered waterflooding neglect the effect of CO₂ dissolution in the aqueous phase. However, the presence of CO₂ in the reservoir can alter the geochemical equilibrium state and the performance of engineered waterflooding. To address this problem, we implement four-phase flash equilibrium calculations into UTCOMP-IPhreeqc. We use the developed model to investigate the effect of CO₂ dissolution in the aqueous phase on the performance of engineered waterflooding. To reduce the computational time of reactive-transport simulations, we implement the geochemical modules of UTCOMP-IPhreeqc into a parallel reservoir simulator framework. Moreover, we develop a new speedup scheme which can reduce the computational time of geochemical equilibrium calculations up to 80%. Carbonated Water Injection (CWI) is another promising enhanced oil recovery technique that takes advantage of both CO₂ and water flooding processes. In this method, CO₂ is added to the injected brine and transported in the reservoir by flood water. While there are several laboratory experiments reported on this process, simulation studies in this area are scarce. In this research, we use UTCOMP-IPhreeqc to understand the mechanisms of the CWI process and investigate the effect of carbonated brine injection on petrophysical properties of the reservoir. We verify the developed model against an analytical model and apply our simulation approach to match carbonate and sandstone corefloods. Finally, we design a synthetic field-scale case study and evaluate the efficiency of CWI on oil recovery. Alkaline-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP) flooding is another EOR method that usually yields significant incremental oil recovery compared to waterflooding. One major concern for high pH ASP flooding is the possibility of inorganic scale formation near the wellbore and in the production facility. To address this problem, we perform batch and 1D single phase geochemical calculations to identify the possibility and extent of scale formation during ASP flooding. Moreover, we use UTCHEM-IPhreeqc, a coupled chemical flooding simulator and geochemical tool, and design a synthetic field-scale model to study scale formation due to ASP injection in a carbonate reservoirPetroleum and Geosystems Engineerin