Static reservoir characterization of shallow marine carbonate rocks: A case study from the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic Sarki Formation, NE Iraq

This study investigates reservoir quality for the Middle–Late Eocene Pila Spi Formation in Shaqlawa (Sarkand) and Gulley Keer (Shekhan) areas in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Lithologically, the Pila Spi Formation in the studied sections is composed of limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone, chalky limestone, and marl. The thickness of the formation is about 102m and 200m in Sarkand and Gully Keer sections respectively. In order to evaluate the reservoir characterization of the studied formation, different techniques such as a microscopic study and core plug analysis were used. The Pila Spi Formation is characterized by several pore's types namely; vugs, moldics, channels, interparticles, fractures, boring, fenestral, and intragranulars. Several diagenetic processes were also recognized such as dolomitization, pressure solution, stylolization and dissolution. Based on the petrographic study, the lower part of the formation in Sarkand section has a porosity average of 8%, while it has an average of 21% and 17% in middle and upper parts. In Gulley Keer section, the porosity values of the formation are about 9%, 17, and 19%, in the lower, middle and upper part, respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study shows almost the same porosity values, and the pore's sizes are between micropore to mesopore for the studied sections. Furthermore, the results of the core plugs analysis are roughly in agreement with optical assessments since the measured porosity values from Sarkand section are 8%, 18.5%, and 18% for lower, middle and upper parts, respectively. The porosity values of Gulley Keer section for lower, middle and upper parts of the studied section are 2.5%, 17.25%, and 22.5%, respectively. Consequently, the results revealed that the Pila Spi Formation has a good porosity except the lower part. In regards with permeability, the measured values of permeability displayed an avenge of 0.109md and 0.6698md for Sarkand and Gulley Keer respectively in which suggested fair to good permeability.

Grain fabric of experimental gravity flow deposits

A sequence stratigraphic analysis of Naokelekan Formation (Late Jurassic succession) in Barsarin area, Kurdistan region, NE Iraq was constructed based on surface lithologic and thin section analyses. The formation consists of thin- to medium-bedded, black, bituminous limestones, and dolomitic limestone, intercalated with thin, black, calcareous shale in lower and upper parts. The petrographic study shows that the limestones are dominated by mudstones. The skeletal grains include ammonites, thin planktonic gastropods, forams (planktonics and benthonics), pelecypods, and ostracods. Non-skeletal grains include peloids. Facies analysis demonstrated an array of facies associations, which suggest deposition in subtidal (lagoon) environment in the lower and upper parts of the formation, and shallow open marine in its middle part. One second-order sequence can be identified, which comprises Middle and Upper Jurassic rock units. This sequence consists of two third order sequences. Third-order sequence 1 is represented by whole succession of underlying Sargelu Formation and lower part of Naokelekan Formation. While third order sequence two corresponds to middle and upper part of Naokelekan Formation. Each of the third-order sequences is comprised of transgressive and highstand system tracts. These system tracts in turn, consist of vertically stacked parasequences of shallowing upward packages.

The distribution of parenchyma, follicles, and lymphocyte subsets in thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis, with special reference to remission after thymectomy

(1) Study was made on weight of dry matter and ratio of leaves and stems, by dividing top of the plant into four parts, i. e., upper, middle and lower parts, and lateral branch. Chemical analysis was also conducted on leaves and stems. (2) The highest leaf-stem ratio was found in upper part (3.15). The ratio in middle part (1.00) ranked next, and reduction was seen in lateral branch (0.77) and lower part (0.08). The average ratio was 0.68. (3) As compared with stems, leaves contained more moisture content, protein, ether extract, and crude ash, and less crude fiber and nitrogen free extract. Remarkably higher T.P./C.P. was observed in leaves than in stems. (4) As compared with lower part of leaves, upper part of leaves contained more moisture, protein, ether extract and crude fiber, and less crude ash and nitrogen free extract. Upper part of stems contained more moisture, protein, ether extract and crude ash than lower part of stems, and less crude fiber and nitrogen free extract. High T.P./C.P. was observed in upper part of leaves and also in lower part of stems. (5) Ratio of carbohydrate against nitrogen free extract was high in stems, and low in leaves. Furthermore, the said ratio in both leaves and stems was high in lower part, and low in upper part, respectively. (6) Nutrient componentes in lateral branch and also in middle part of plant was about the middle of those in upper part and lower part. (7) The largest quantity of protein N was found in upper part of both leaves and stems, respectively, and least in lower part. In leaves, more protein N was found in middle part than in lateral branch, but in stems this relation was reverse. (8) As regards with various kinds of water soluble protein N contained in upper and middle part of leaves and of lateral branch, hot NaOH C2 H5 OH soluble nitrogen was most abundant, and water soluble nitrogen ranked next. In lower part, hot NaOH, C2 H5 OH was the largest, and NaOH soluble nitrogen followed next.

Many studies on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of joints have indicated that a softened region occurs in the friction stir welded joints of heat-treatable aluminum alloys [1–5] and strainhardened aluminum alloys [6–10]. In order to solve the joint softening problems of heat-treatable aluminum alloys, some researchers adopted postweld aging treatment techniques and obtained better compensating results [1–3]. Up to now, however, no better method has been found to improve the deterioration in mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of the strainhardened aluminum alloys. In principle, any joint can be considered to be composed of finite thin-layers in the direction of thickness, and any thin-layer is different from the other ones in mechanical properties because they experience different thermo-mechanical actions during friction stir welding (FSW). If the mechanical properties of some weak thin-layers of the joint can be improved, the mechanical properties of the entire joint will be raised. However, the real difference in mechanical properties between thinner-layers is still unknown. This letter aims to demonstrate this difference so as to obtain useful information for improving the mechanical properties of the joints of strain-hardened aluminum alloys. The base material used in this study was 1050H24 aluminum alloy which was strain-hardened and then partially annealed. The dimensions of the rectangular welding samples were 300 mm long, 80 mm wide and 5 mm thick. The samples were longitudinally butt-welded using an FSW machine. The designated welding tool size and welding parameters are listed in Table I. For the sake of convenience, the revolutionary pitch is expressed as d in this letter. After welding, the joints were cross-sectioned perpendicular to the welding direction for metallographic analyses and mechanical property tests using an electricaldischarge cutting machine. The cross-sections of the metallographic specimens were polished with alumina suspension, etched with Keller’s reagent, and observed by optical microscopy. In order to examine the heterogeneity of the mechanical properties of the joints, each tensile specimen was prepared in two steps. First, the joints were transversely cut into primary specimens of 100 mm long, 12.5 mm wide and 5 mm thick. Finally, every primary specimen was cut perpendicular to the direction of thickness into three tensile specimens of 1.4 mm thick, and they were marked by upper, middle and lower parts of the joint. Prior to tensile tests, Vickers hardness profiles were measured under the load of 0.98 N for 10 s along the centerlines of the tensile specimens using an automatic micro-hardness tester, and the Vickers indents with a spacing of 1 mm were used to determine the fracture locations of the component parts of the joints. The tensile tests were carried out at room temperature at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min using a screw-driven test machine, and the tensile properties of each component part were evaluated through three tensile specimens. Fig. 1 shows the tensile test results of the different component parts of the joints. The ultimate strength of the upper part of the same joint is the highest, while that of the middle part is the lowest. As the revolutionary pitch increases, the ultimate strength of the upper part increases, while that of the middle or lower part increases to the maximum at the revolutionary pitch of 0.27 mm/r (see Fig. 1a). In the three component parts of the same joint, the middle part always possesses the lowest proof strength. When the revolutionary pitch is smaller than 0.27 mm/r, the proof strength of the lower part is higher than that of the upper part; when the revolutionary pitch is greater than 0.27 mm/r, the proof strength of the lower part becomes lower than that of the upper part (see Fig. 1b). The elongation of the upper part is always the highest, while that of the lower part is always the lowest. As the revolutionary pitch increases, the elongation of the upper part increases and that of the middle or lower part decreases (see Fig. 1c). These results clearly indicate that the different component parts of the joint possess different mechanical properties, and the welding parameters have different effects on the mechanical properties of these different component parts. In the three component parts of the joint, the middle part is weakest and the upper part is strongest in mechanical properties. This is a very interesting and useful information for improving the mechanical properties of the entire joint of 1050-H24 aluminum alloy because a two-side welding process can be adopted to make one joint possess two “upper parts”.

Evaluation of right ventricular function by regional wall motion analysis in patients after correction of tetralogy of Fallot

Lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis of Avanah Formation (Middle Eocene) in Gomaspan section northeast Erbil City, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Lithostratigraphy and microfacies analysis of Avanah Formation (Middle Eocene) in Gomaspan section northeast Erbil City, Kurdistan region, Iraq

To clarify the significance of anal canal sensitivity contribution to soiling in patients after ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC), we studied the sensory function of the anal canal. Forty patients with UC who had undergone IPAA with ileostomy closure at least 60 to 132 months (mean 103.6 months) previously, and who had no preoperative or postoperative complications were recruited. They were divided into two groups: group A [n = 26; patients without soiling (16 males, 10 females; ages 15-49 years, mean 36.6 years)] and group B [n = 14; patients with soiling (10 men, 4 women; ages 24-56 years, mean 40.9 years)] compared with group C [n = 28; control subjects (18 men, 10 women; aged 19-49 years, mean 38.5 years)]. Patients with soiling were also divided into three groups (B1, rare soiling; B2, occasional soiling; B3, frequent soiling). The anal canal sensitivity threshold was measured using an anal canal electrosensitivity test (ACEST). The measurement point of anal canal was divided into three parts: lower part [1 cm below the dentate line (DL), middle part (just on the DL), and upper part (1 cm above the DL]. A small electric current from a constant-current generator was passed between the electrodes until the patient felt a sensation often described as tingling or pulsing. The threshold of sensitivity was assessed in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the anal canal. In patients of group C, recording at the middle part of the anal canal showed the best results. The anal canal sensitivity threshold of group B was significantly higher than those of groups A and C at the upper and middle parts (P < 0.0001, respectively). There were no significant differences at the lower part among groups. The anal canal sensitivity threshold of subgroup B3 was significantly higher than those of groups B1 or B2 at both the upper part (P = 0.0002, P = 0.0038, respectively) and middle part (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0480, respectively). There were no significant differences at the lower part among groups. The ACEST shows significantly lower sensitivity in the proximal and middle anal canal in IPAA patients with soiling.

A detailed sedimentological investigation of the Baluti Formation (Late Triassic) in the Warte section, Imbricated Zone, northeastern Kurdistan region of Iraq has been undertaken for the first time. The formation is comprised of 34 m of dolomitic limestone, marly limestone, and marly dolomitic limestone which is partially brecciated and all interbedded with shale and several beds of marl in the lower part. Based on the field observations and petrographic inspections, four different lithostratigraphic units were identified in the studied section, which are, in ascending order: marly dolomitic limestone interbedded with marl and shale unit, brecciated marly dolomitic limestone interbedded with shale unit, fractured marly dolomitic limestone unit, and marly limestone interbedded with shale unit. The petrographic study of 19 thin sections of Baluti carbonates shows that the majority are composed of carbonate mud (micrite). The skeletal grains include ostracods, calcispheres, benthonic foraminifera, gastropods, bivalves, clasts, and bioclasts. While non‐skeletal grains include peloids, intraclasts, and extraclasts. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) of five samples and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of three samples of the shale and marl of the studied formation show that the main clay mineral is illite, whereas non‐clay mineral is dolomite. The carbonate rocks of the Baluti Formation were subjected to different diagenetic processes, such as micritization, dolomitization, cementation, compaction, solution, pyritization, neomorphism, and fracturing. Three main microfacies were identified in the Baluti carbonates and according to their environmental interpretation, they are grouped into one basic type of facies association—subtidal‐semi restricted lagoon. Field observation, petrographic, microfacies, and textural analysis indicate that the Baluti Formation in the Warte section was deposited in a shallow marine, subtidal (lagoon) environment with semi‐restricted conditions.

The microfacies analysis and porosity evolution of the Khurmala Formation (Paleocene-Early Eocene) were studied in the Gomaspan and Sheraswar sections in the High Folded Zone, northeastern Erbil City, Kurdistan Region (N-Iraq). Lithologically, the Khurmala Formation in the Gomaspan section is about 23.5 m comprised of thick to massive bedded brecciated grey dolomitic limestone in lower and middle parts and interbedding of medium to thick beds of grey dolomitic limestone and yellow calcareous shale in the upper part. The Sheraswar section comprises 18.5 m yellow marl, thick yellowish-grey dolomitic marly limestone in the lower part, and bedded grey limestone interbedded with thin blue marl, shale, and mudstone in the upper part. The petrographic and cathodoluminescence (CL) studies of 20 thin sections of the Khurmala carbonates show that most skeletal grains are shallow marine derivative faunas and non-skeletal grains represent intraclasts, peloids, ooids, and extraclasts (monocrystalline quartz). Five main microfacies were identified in the studied rocks, and they integrated into two facies associations relating to their environmental interpretation: back reef/lagoon and patch reef. A new eight pore types were distinguished in the carbonate rocks of Khurmala Formation: interparticle, intraparticle, growth framework, intercrystalline, moldic, vuggy, fracture, and stylolite porosities. Most of the primary porosity was reduced by compaction and cementation due to the effect of intensive diagenesis. Secondary porosity is predominant in both studied sections, the most common being the moldic porosity associated with different microfacies fabrics. CL investigations revealed that dolomitized lime wackestone microfacies has two types of different cementations in the late stages of blocky calcite cement which are discontinuous light to dull orange luminescence without zoning, and pure calcite cement of coarse to very coarse blocky calcite cement with characteristic bright orange luminescence and tight zoning.

To develop the technology for cultivation of high-density seaweed, sea tangle was cultured from varying depths(0.5 m, 3 m) of seawater at Gijang and Wando area. Proximate composition, component sugar, total amino acid, fatty acid composition, and element composition of different parts of sea tangle (Saccharina japonica) have been examined. Significant differences were found in the amount of crude protein and ash content in lower, middle, and upper parts of algal blades. The upper parts of the sea tangle was rich in crude protein, while lower parts was rich in crude ash. Crude lipid content was higher in the middle parts than those of the other parts. The component sugars were not significantly different from all parts of algal blades. The highest content of most of the amino acids were found in the upper parts of the blades. The amount of saturated fatty acids concentrated mostly in lower parts of blades, while the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrated in the upper parts. The highest N element contents were found in upper part of algal blades. However, the contents of those chemical component were not affected by the depths of seawater.

A cadaveric study of the serratus anterior muscle and the long thoracic nerve

Three gravity cores (LZK1, ZKA4, and CSJA6) from the incised Yangtze paleo-valley comprise a thick sequence of the post-glacial deposit. Nineteen genera (26 species) of the benthic foraminifers are described from these cores, with detailed down-core foraminiferal variations to investigate their paleoenvironmental implications. Three foraminiferal assemblages are recognized for the lower, middle, and upper parts of the cores respectively. The lower part is dominated byAmmonia beccariivar. andFlorilus decoruswith lower abundance and diversity. In the middle part, the foraminifers are abundant and diverse, dominated by bothAmmonia beccariivar. andElphidium advenum.Cavarotalia annectens,Pararotalia nipponica, and porcellaneous benthic foraminiferal forms are always present, sometimes abundant. The upper part is characterized by theAmmonia beccarii-Elphidium magellanicumassemblage, except for the Core ZKA4, which is barren of foraminifers in this interval. AMS14C dates and foraminiferal assemblages both confirm that the transgression-regression sequence in these cores belongs to the “Ammoniatransgression” during the Holocene. In addition to documenting the post-glacial sea-level fluctuations, the benthic foraminifers also reflect a warmer climate during the early–middle Holocene. The foraminiferal differences among the three cores can be used to interpret the influence of seawater during the post-glacial sea-level fluctuations. The area in the vicinity of Core ZKA4 was affected by marine water only during the middle Holocene, which was much shorter than the areas of the other cores.