Pore Classification and Structural Characteristics of Oligocene-Pliocene Shale Reservoirs in the Western Qaidam Depression.

Oligocene-Pliocene shale reservoirs in the Western Qaidam Depression represent typical mixed shale deposits characterized by moderate organic matter (OM) abundance and sufficient OM maturity, indicating substantial shale-oil resource potential. Here, a comprehensive study was conducted to analyze the reservoir characteristics of different shale types, including the Upper Xiaganchaigou (late Oligocene), Shangganchaigou (Miocene), and Xiayoushashan (early Pliocene) Formations in the Western Qaidam Depression. Our analysis focused on the pore structural characteristics of shale reservoirs, employing X-ray diffraction, casting thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as investigative techniques. Our results show that (1) the study area comprises five typical shale types: lime shale, argillaceous shale, limestone, argillaceous limestone, and mudstone. The best hydrocarbon source rock conditions are found in the lime shale and argillaceous shale. (2) Inorganic pores, including dissolution pores, intergranular pores, bedding fractures, structural fractures, and intraparticle pores in clay minerals, are the main pore types found in the studied samples and constitute the primary reservoir space for shale oil. On the basis of fractal dimensions obtained through NMR, the pores can be classified as micropores (<100 nm), mesopores (100-1000 nm), or macropores (>1000 nm). Mesopores are the main contributors to porosity. (3) The development of micropores is positively correlated with clay mineral content. The development of mesopores and macropores is influenced by the quartz, feldspar, dolomite, and calcite contents. Calcite content exhibits a negative correlation with porosity, suggesting that later-stage pore cementation hinders shale reservoir development. (4) The five typical shale reservoirs in the study area can be categorized into three types. Type I reservoir lithologies include lime shale and argillaceous shale; type II reservoir lithologies include limestone and argillaceous limestone; and type III reservoirs comprise mudstone. Type I and II reservoirs are of better quality than type III.

Influence of thermal maturity on carbazole distributions in coal source rocks during compaction pyrolysis experiments.

Carbazole compounds are widely used in determining the direction of petroleum migration, but the effect of thermal maturity on carbazoles is still ambiguity. In this paper, using compaction pyrolysis simulation experiments, artificial mature samples with vitrinite reflectance (Ro) range from 0.38 to 3.0% were acquired. And the content and composition change characteristics of carbazole compounds were analyzed in coal source rocks. The experimental results showed that thermal maturity controls the generation of a large amount of carbazole compounds in coal rocks. Compared with the low mature stage, the content of carbazole compounds was about 10-100 times higher in the mature stage. With the increasing maturity, in the coal sample, the content of carbazole compounds showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. In derivatives of carbazole, the corresponding maturity for the maximum generation of ethylcarbazole (EC), dimethylcarbazole (DMCA), methylcarbazole (MCA), carbazole (CA) and benzocarbazole (BCA) performed the increasing sequence. With the increasing maturity, the relative abundance of 2-MCA, 1,7-DMCA and benzo[a]carbazole increased with the increasing maturity, while 4-MCA, 1,4-DMCA and benzo[c]carbazole gradually decreased. Benzocarbazole ratio [a]/[a] +[ c] varies only in a narrow range 0.36-0.61 in the entire maturity range, suggesting limited maturity dependence. The experimental conclusion provides more theoretical basis for future geochemical analysis using carbazole compounds.

A Study on the Applicability of Aromatic Parameters in the Maturity Evaluation of Lacustrine Source Rocks and Oils Based on Pyrolysis Simulation Experiments.

Aromatic maturity parameters were evaluated via closed-system pyrolysis experiments using a Mesozoic lacustrine source rock from the Yingen-Ejinaqi Basin, thereby ensuring a uniform source. Pulverized rock aliquots (200 mg) were reacted with water at temperatures ranging from 250 to 550 °C at 5 °C/min, and the aromatic fractions of expelled oil and extracts of the solid residue were analyzed by GC-MS. The experiments showed that the relative abundance of aromatic hydrocarbons in the oil and extractable organic matter (EOM) of source rock had different evolutionary characteristics. With the increase in the thermal evolution degree, the relative abundance of aromatic hydrocarbons in the EOM showed the characteristics of ″increased early (Ro < 0.80), unchanged middle (Ro = 0.80-2.00%), decreased lately (Ro > 2.00%)″. While the relative abundance of aromatic hydrocarbons in the expelled oils continuously increased, as the Ro values increased from 0.62 to 2.39%, the relative abundance of aromatic hydrocarbons gradually increased from 8 to 46%. With increased maturity, the relative abundance of 1-3-ring aromatic hydrocarbons continuously decreased, as observed in the phenanthrene homologs. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of 4+-ring aromatic hydrocarbons continuously increased, as seen in chrysene homologs. It was suggested that the effects of maturity on the composition of aromatic hydrocarbons might not be sufficiently obvious. The effective application range of the alkylnaphthalene-related maturity parameters (2-/1-methylnaphthalenes, (2,6- + 2,7-)/1,5-dimethylnaphthalenes, 2,3,6-/(1,4,6- + 1,3,5-) trimethylnaphthalenes, and (2,3,6- + 1,3,7-)/(1,4,6- + 1,3,5- + 1,3,6-) trimethylnaphthalenes) and the alkyldibenzothiophene maturity parameters (4-/1-methyldibenzothiophenes, 4,6-/(1,4- + 1,6-) dimethyldibenzothiophenes, and (2,6- + 3,6-)/(1,4- + 1,6-) dimethyldibenzothiophenes) was 0.84-2.06% Ro. The alkylphenanthrene-related maturity parameters had a wide application range for lacustrine source rocks with an Ro < 2.06%. These parameters included 1.5 × (2- + 3-)/(phenanthrene +1- + 9-) methylphenanthrenes, 3 × 2-/(phenanthrene + 1- + 9-) methylphenanthrenes, (2- + 3-)/(1- + 9-) methylphenanthrenes, 2-/1-methylphenanthrenes, (3- + 2-)/(1- + 2- + 3- + 9-) methylphenanthrenes, 2-/(1- + 2- + 3- + 9-) methylphenanthrenes, and 2,7-/1,8-dimethylphenanthrenes. In addition, the effective applicable range of the methylnaphthalene-related maturity parameter 3-/1-methylchrysenes was an Ro value less than 1.79%. The results clarified the validity scope of some aromatics' maturity parameters and provided a theoretical basis for the scientific application of these parameters.

A small-scale neutral alumina column chromatography method for carbon isotope determination of hopanes in crude oils or rock extracts.

This paper presents a small-scale column chromatography method for separating hopanes in crude oil or rock extracts using neutral alumina as a solid phase adsorbent and a Pasteur pipette as a separation device. Three oil samples were selected to study the effect of solid phase adsorbent type and column length on the separation of hopanes. The oil samples were eluted with mixed reagents (V hexane: V petroleum ether = 8:2) and collected at intervals of 0.5 ml. Ten Fractions were collected and tested for the compounds using GC-MS. A quantitative approach was used to reveal distribution characteristics of compounds in each eluted Fraction. Experimental results showed that 100-200 um neutral alumina exhibited significant differences in the adsorptive capacity of biomarkers from oil samples and rock extracts. The elution order of the biomarkers in the chromatographic column (the length is 180 mm) was n-alkanes, steranes and hopanes. The separation of hopanes could be realized by collecting the eluted Fractions 4 and 5. Compared with the urea complexation, the purity of hopanes separated by column chromatography was higher. The concentration of n-alkanes (nC16-nC34) could be reduced from 1.99 to 4.83 mg/ml to 0.79-0.94 mg/ml, and the content of steranes can be reduced from the original 12% to 0.45%. Residual n-alkanes and steranes were not visible in the GC-MS detection. The Total Ion Chromatography (TIC) of hopanes was consistent with the distribution characteristics of the m/z191 mass chromatogram. The isolated hopanes could meet the detection requirements of isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The C29Ts/C29αß ratio of hopanes decreased gradually from 1.63 to 0.73 as the column length increased. It is speculated that the variation of the C29Ts/C29αß ratio is not only affected by maturity but also by the oil and gas migration. This method is a new attempt in the field of compound purification and can be widely used in the study of stable carbon isotopes of hopanes monomeric hydrocarbons.

Effect of Using the Modified Milch Technique on Quality of Life in Patients with Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder Joint.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the Milch technique on quality of life (QoL) in patients with anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint. Methods: A total of 126 patients undergoing manual reduction for anterior dislocation of the shoulder in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were prospectively enrolled in this study. The randomized number table method was used to divide patients into the study group (63 patients) and the control group (63 patients). The study group was treated with a modified Milch technique while the control group was treated with the Hippocratic method. Success rate and complications were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of manual reduction. Clinical assessment of shoulder function included the Constant-Murley Score and visual analog scale (VAS) before, during and after manual reduction. Results: The success rate of primary and secondary reduction in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group (87.30% vs 61.90, respectively; P = .001; 11.11% vs 25.40%, respectively; P = .038). The failure rate in the study group was significantly lower than in the control group (1.59% vs 12.70%, respectively; P = .015). The time required for reduction in the study and control groups was 58.87 ± 7.92 seconds and 93.09 ± 8.01 seconds, respectively; a significant difference (t = -24.113; P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores before and during reduction in the 2 groups. After reduction, VAS scores in the study group were significantly lower than in the control group (1.02 ± 0.01 vs 1.14 ± 0.26, respectively; P < .001). There were no significant differences in pain level, activities of daily living, joint range of motion or muscle strength between the 2 groups before and after reduction (P > .05). After reduction, health status, emotional function, mental health, physiological function, physiological function, physical pain, vitality and social function scores in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < .05). There were 4 avulsion fractures and 2 humeral fractures in the control group; no complications occurred in the study group, with a significant difference (χ2 = 6.289; P = .012). Conclusion: The Milch technique can improve the QoL in patients with anterior dislocation of the shoulder, and the success rate of the reduction is high.

Relationships of sex hormones with muscle mass and muscle strength in male adolescents at different stages of puberty.

This study analysed the associations of sex steroids with fat-free mass (FFM) and handgrip strength in 641 Chinese boys. Serum total testosterone (TT) and oestradiol were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Free testosterone (FT) and oestradiol were calculated. FFM and handgrip strength were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and a hand dynamometer, respectively. Generalised additive models and multiple linear regression were used to explore the relationships. A subgroup analysis was conducted in early-mid pubertal and late-post pubertal groups. Age, height, weight, physical activity, intake of dietary protein and/or stage of puberty were adjusted. TT and FT were positively related to FFM and handgrip strength, with a curvilinear relationship being detected for handgrip strength (p<0.050). This curvilinear relationship was only observed in the late-post pubertal group, suggesting a potential threshold effect (FT>11.99ng/dL, ß = 1.275, p = 0.039). In the early-mid pubertal group, TT and/or FT were linearly or near-linearly related to FFM or handgrip strength (ß = 0.003-0.271, p<0.050). The association between FT and FFM was stronger than that in the late-post pubertal group. This study found that serum T had different associations with muscle parameters in Chinese early-mid pubertal and late-post pubertal boys. In the late-post pubertal boys, serum T was curvilinearly related to muscle strength with a threshold effect and its link with muscle mass was weaker.

Effectiveness of resistance exercises in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of resistance exercise in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHOD: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched according to the index words to identify eligible RCTs, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The latest search was done in August 2019. Odds ratios (OR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the main outcomes. RESULT: Seventeen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis with 512 patients in the resistance exercise group and 498 patients in the control group. The results showed that compared with the control group, resistance exercise significantly decreased disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) scores (standard mean difference [SMD]: -0.69, 95% CI: -1.26 to -0.11), reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (SMD: -0.86, 95% CI: -1.65 to -0.07), and shortened the time of 50 ft. walking (SMD: -0.64, 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.28). No significant difference was observed in visual analog scale (VAS) scores (SMD: -0.61, 95% CI: -1.49-0.27) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores (weighted mean difference: -0.10, 95% CI: -0.26-0.06). CONCLUSION: Resistance exercise showed reducing DAS-28 score, ESR score, and the time of 50 ft. walking in RA patients compared with the control group. However, high quality multicenter RCTs with larger sample sizes to confirm the conclusion.

A dual-response ratiometric fluorescent sensor by europium-doped CdTe quantum dots for visual and colorimetric detection of tetracycline.

Residues in animal food and drinking water caused by the abuse of antibiotics lead to cell resistance and many chronic diseases in the human body. Therefore, it has become an inevitable trend to develop a fast, easy-to-use, on-site/real-time visualization method for the detection of antibiotics. Herein, we report a dual-response ratiometric fluorescence sensor which is fabricated by chelating europium ions (Eu3+) onto cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) for real-time and visible detection of tetracycline (TC). With the TC addition, the fluorescence of probe can be seen by the naked eye, from green to yellow and finally to red, exhibiting a dosage-sensitive and broad-chromatic detection strategy for TC. The fluorescence intensity ratio of I616/I512 of Eu/CdTe QDs sensor displays a good linear relation to TC concentrations in the range of 0-80 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.2 nM. In addition, the sensor can visually detect 200 nM TC in actual samples, which is lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) of the safety standard. The methodology reported here opens a window toward the real applications of fluorescent and shows the wide applicability in pursuing the concepts simple, rapid, visual, and real-time for food safety and environmental protection.

Associations of Sex Steroids With Changes in Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements: A Longitudinal Study in Chinese Male Adolescents.

This 2-year longitudinal study aimed to detect the associations of sex steroids, sex hormone-binding globulin with bone parameters and the changes thereof in Chinese male adolescents. A total of 642 male students aged 12-16 years from a secondary school in Jiangmen, China, were included. Total testosterone (T), total oestradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The bioavailable T (BioT) and E2 (BioE2) were calculated. The speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation, and stiffness index of the right heel were measured by Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer at both baseline and 2-year follow-up. The confounding effects of age, height, weight, pubertal stage, physical activity, energy-adjusted dietary calcium intake, and dietary vitamin D intake were adjusted. The baseline value of each bone parameter was also adjusted in the longitudinal analysis. Results showed that total T and BioT were positively associated with bone parameters and changes in them (ß = 0.076-0.115, p < 0.05). A threshold effect of BioT on broadband ultrasound attenuation, stiffness index and their changes were also observed. Positive associations between BioT and bone mass gain were observed only in individuals with BioT levels <240.0 ng/dl (ß = 0.088-0.131, p < 0.05). Moreover, total E2 or BioE2 were found to be inversely associated with speed of sound and its change (ß = -0.109 to -0.077, p < 0.05). This study supported that in Chinese male adolescents, serum T was a positive predictor for bone formation with a threshold effect, and E2 could have influence on the changes in bone architecture during puberty. These findings may improve the understanding of the effects of sex steroids on the acceleration of bone formation in male adolescents and provide useful information for the prediction model establishment of peak bone mass.

Biodegradation influence on alkylphenanthrenes in oils from Bongor Basin, SW Chad.

Oil samples from the Bongor Basin, SW Chad have been geochemically characterized to investigate the biodegradation influence on alkylphenanthrenes. Concentrations of C0-3-alkylphenanthrenes (C0-3Ps) increase markedly after level 6 biodegradation due to the removal of other vulnerable components, decrease sharply after level 7 biodegradation and approach to absence at level 8. Phenanthrene appears to have higher ability to resist biodegradation than C1-3Ps at certain biodegradation levels (≤level 7) due to demethylation, which has been inferred as a possible reaction process during biodegradation of the aromatic hydrocarbons. The enrichment of non-alkylated phenanthrene in biodegraded oils makes biodegradation assessment complicated on the basis of alkylphenanthrene distributions. Individual isomers in alkylphenanthrenes exhibit variable ability to resist biodegradation influence. While certain isomers do show higher ability to resist biodegradation than others, no uniform biodegradation sequence can be established. Meanwhile, the biodegradation susceptibility between hopanes and alkylphenanthrenes varies greatly in different samples. The biodegradation systematics of alkylphenanthrenes proves to be highly complex, which may be indicative of the multiple charges and mixing during biodegradation.

Joint Source-Relay Optimization for MIMO Full-Duplex Bidirectional Wireless Sensor Networks with SWIPT.

The simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technique has been considered as a promising approach to prolong the lifetime of energy-constraint wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) full-duplex (FD) bidirectional wireless sensor network (BWSN) with SWIPT is investigated. Based on minimum total mean-square-error (total-MSE) criterion, a joint optimization problem for source and relay beamforming and source receiving subject to transmitting power and harvesting energy constraints is established. Since this problem is non-convex, an iterative algorithm based on feasible point pursuit-successive convex approximation (FPP-SCA) is derived to obtain a local optimum. Moreover, considering the scenarios in which source and relay nodes equipped with the same and different numbers of antennas, a low-complexity diagonalizing design-based scheme is employed to simplify each non-convex subproblem into convex problems and to reduce the computational complexity. Numerical results of the total-MSE and bit error rate (BER) are implemented to demonstrate the performance of the two different schemes.

Joint Source and Relay Beamforming Design in Wireless Multi-Hop Sensor Networks with SWIPT.

We consider a multiple-input multiple-output amplify-and-forward wireless multiple-hop sensor network (WMSN). The simultaneous wireless information and power transfer technology is deployed to potentially achieve an autonomous system. We investigate two practical receiver schemes, which are the power splitting (PS) and the time switching (TS). The power splitting receiver splits received signals into two streams, one for information decoding (ID) and the other for energy harvesting (EH). On the other hand, the time switching receiver only serves in ID mode or energy harvesting mode during a certain time slot. Subject to transmit power constraints and destination harvested energy constraint, we aim to obtain a joint beam-forming solution of source and relay precoders to maximize the maximum achievable rate of the WSN. In order to make the non-convex problem tractable, diagonalization-based alternating optimization algorithms are proposed. Numerical results show the convergence and good performance of the proposed algorithms under both PS and TS protocols.

Recyclable functionalized polymer films for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions.

In this study, polyethylenimine-functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PEI-PVA) films were prepared for the first time to remove aqueous Cr(vi). The results indicate that our PEI-PVA films have an excellent potential for Cr(vi) removal and their maximum removal capacity was 396.83 mg g-1. The optimized pH value was 2, the adsorption of Cr(vi) was fitted to the Langmuir model, and the kinetics of uptake could be described well by a pseudo-second-order rate model. Taking into account the simplified separation method of adsorbents and solutions, we used a PVA film as a carrier in which PEI-PVA microspheres were filled to obtain a PEI-PVA functionalized film (PPF). The PPF shows a great efficiency in the removal of Cr(vi) ions in solution, which can absorb and reduce the Cr(vi) ion concentration in the solution in 90 min. PPF has excellent selectivity and the removal efficiency of Cr(vi) ions in the presence of co-existing ions is not reduced. It also has good recycling properties; the removal efficiency remains at 77% over four cycles. The removal mechanism of Cr(vi) ions by PEI-PVA microspheres involves the reduction of the adsorbed Cr(vi) ions to Cr(iii) ions, which are less toxic.

Beamforming Design for Full-Duplex SWIPT with Co-Channel Interference in Wireless Sensor Systems.

The simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technique has been regarded as an appealing approach to prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks. However, co-channel interferences with SWIPT in wireless networks have not been investigated from a green communication perspective. In this paper, joint transmit and receive beamforming design for a full-duplex multiple-input multiple-output amplify-and-forward relay system with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer in WSNs is investigated. Multiple co-channel interferers are considered at the relay and destination sensor nodes. To minimize the mean-squared-error of the system, joint source and relay beamforming optimization is proposed while guaranteeing the transmit power constraints and destination's energy harvesting constraint. An iterative algorithm based on alternating optimization with successive convex approximation which converges to a local optimum is proposed to solve the non-convex problem. Moreover, a low-complexity scheme is derived to reduce the computational complexity. Simulations for MSE versus iterations and MSE versus signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) demonstrate the convergence and good performance of the proposed schemes.

Triglyceride to HDL-C ratio and increased arterial stiffness in apparently healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVES: High triglycerides and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol are important cardiovascular risk factors. Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) has been reported to be useful in predicting cardiovascular disease. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a valid and reproducible measurement by which to assess arterial stiffness and a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. However, there is limited evidence about the relationship between them. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that TG/HDL-C is associated with baPWV in healthy individuals. METHODS: Fasting lipid profiles, baPWV and clinical data were measured in 1498 apparently healthy, medication-free subjects (926 men, 572 women) who participated in a routine health screening from 2011 to 2013. Participants were stratified into quartiles of TG/HDL-C ratio. BaPWV > 1400 cm/s was defined as abnormal baPWV, Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations of TG/HDL-C quartiles and baPWV, after adjusting for the presence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: In both genders, we observed positive relationships between TG/HDL-C quartiles and BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, uric acid, and percentages of high baPWV. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that baPWV abnormality OR value of the highest TG/HDL-C quartiles was 1.91 (95% CI: 1.11-3.30, P < 0.05) and 2.91 (95% CI: 1.02-8.30, P < 0.05) in male and female after adjusting for age, systolic BP, diastolic BP, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, LDL-C, uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate when compared with the lowest TG/HDL-C quartiles. CONCLUSION: Increased TG/HDL-C was independently associated with baPWV abnormality in apparently healthy individuals.

Redermination of 9,9'-bianthracene-10,10'(9H,9'H)-dione.

The crystal structure of the title compound, C(28)H(18)O(2), was originally determined by Ehrenberg [(1967 ▶). Acta Cryst. 22, 482-487] using intensity data obtained from Weissenberg photographs. The current determination provides a crystal and mol-ecular structure with a significantly higher precision and presents standard uncertainties on geometric parameters which are not available from the original work. The mol-ecule lies on a crystallographic twofold rotation axis which bis-ects the C-C bond [1.603 (3) Å] which joins the two anthracen-9(10H)-one units.

(Acetato-κO)bis-(2,2'-bipyridyl-κN,N')copper(II)-ethyl sulfate-methyl sulfate (1/0.5/0.5).

In the title complex, [Cu(C(2)H(3)O(2))(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)](CH(3)CH(2)OSO(3))(0.5)(CH(3)OSO(3))(0.5), the Cu(II) ion is bis-chelated by two 2,2'-bipyridine lignds and coordinated by an O atom of an acetate ligand in a CuN(4)O disorted square-pyramidal environment. In the structure, equal amounts of methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate anions are disordered on the same crystallographic sites. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions.