Advanced Laboratory Equipment Research Articles

Application of fusion property calculations for Kazakhstani oil samples

This study thoroughly investigates the melting properties and solid-state transition temperatures of crude oil from Kazakhstan's oil field, which is critical for predicting wax precipitation. Utilizing advanced laboratory equipment such as gas chromatographs, differential scanning calorimeters (DSC), and pour point testers, we obtained comprehensive data on these parameters. Based on the results, we developed new correlations for the melting point and solid-state transition temperature of crude oil, which demonstrate closer alignment with the reference values for various hydrocarbons' melting points compared to standard prediction models. These findings provide more accurate models for wax deposition, essential for efficient crude oil transportation and processing. The results indicated that implementing these new correlations could lead to significant cost savings by reducing pipeline blockages and maintenance requirements, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

Rapid fatigue evaluation of additive manufactured specimens: Application to stainless steel AISI 316L obtained by laser metal powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing is a promising technology for manufacturing components in many industrial applications. These components are often subjected to cycling loading and there are concerns about their fatigue performance due to inherent anisotropy, defects, and surface roughness. However, conventional fatigue assessment is time-consuming and expensive. Consequently, several attempts have been made in the last decades to reduce the time and cost associated with these tests by introducing the concept of rapid fatigue testing. Most of these accelerated methods necessitate advanced laboratory equipment and high-precision tests. Recently, a novel approach to rapid fatigue assessment, the stiffness method, has emerged, based on evaluating damage accumulation during the test. This method has been successfully applied and validated across a wide range of wrought metal sheets. In this study, the stiffness method is deployed to evaluate the fatigue performance of additively manufactured stainless steel AISI316L. The results are compared with predictions of the empirical model based on Murakami's approach and the conventional staircase method. A good agreement is obtained between both approaches, showing the stiffness method can estimate the fatigue limit of additive manufacturing specimens in a reliable, fast, and cost-effective way while using a significantly reduced number of tests.

Greater Core Endurance Identifies Improved Mechanics During Jump Landing in Female Youth Soccer Athletes

Female soccer athletes are at greater risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury compared with males. Risk factors include altered landing biomechanics and diminished core neuromuscular control, measured using advanced laboratory equipment. There is a need for a clinical measure of core muscle function to better understand kinesiological factors within a female, youth athlete population. The purpose was to determine whether sagittal and frontal plane kinematics during a jump landing task differ based on levels of core endurance in female youth soccer athletes. Participants included healthy, female soccer athletes ages 8–17 years (M = 12.3 years, SD = 2.4 years), height (M = 1.52 m, SD = 0.16 m), and body mass (M = 46.0 kg, SD = 13.7 kg). A quantitative data descriptive laboratory study in a field-based setting was conducted. Sixty-six participants performed the side plank test for time to failure. Three-dimensional biomechanics were collected, and initial contact and peak trunk, hip, and knee joint angles were identified during the deceleration phase of a double-leg jump-landing task. The group with the lowest side plank time displayed decreased knee flexion at initial contact (p = .02) and peak knee flexion (p = .03) and decreased peak hip flexion angles (p = .01). There were no additional statistically significant differences among groups (p > .05). Female youth soccer athletes who have reduced core endurance also display decreased hip and knee flexion, which may place them at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Regulatory provisions for determining parameters of nonlinear mechanical behavior in hardening soil models

Presently, nonlinear mechanical soil models are widely used in the geotechnical practice. They are implemented in geotechnical finite-element software PLAXIS, MIDAS GTS NX, Z-Soil, Optum, etc. Notwithstanding the fact that International regulatory documents mainly recommend nonlinear models for calculating foundations, they do not specify methods for defining their parameters because nonlinear models are actually commercial products of various software manufactures and cannot be normalized in any country. For this very reason, specialists of Gersevanov Research Institute of Bases and Underground Structures (department of JSC "Research center of Construction") developed Standard of Organization STO 36554501-067-2021. The Standard is based on the world experience in assessing nonlinear model parameters defined with using advanced laboratory equipment. The article describes the most significant provisions of this Standard. Thus, depending on the problem to be solved, four groups of models are introduced: I - a model includes volumetric isotropic hardening (Soft Soil); II - a model includes volumetric isotropic hardening and rheological properties of the soil (Soft Soil Creep); III - a model includes double isotropic hardening (Hardening Soil) and IV - a model includes double isotropic hardening and stiffness at small strain (Hardening soil with small strain). Requirements to the necessary and sufficient types and scope of tests, which define model parameters, are reported. Taking into account that only laboratory tests define model parameters, Standard provides requirements for specimens' quality evaluation performed basing on measurements of the volumetric strain under effective natural stress. Specimens of poor and very poor quality cannot be considered. It is shown that power-law coefficient m , which indicates the relationship between soil stiffness and stress-strain-state in the models of III and IV groups can be received from triaxial compression and oedometer tests and shall be prescribed depending on prevailing deformation (shear or compression). Stiffness parameters at small strains can be defined wit in-situ tests (seismoacoustic profiling) or with laboratory tests (resonant column test, seismoacoustic profiling of specimens in triaxial cell equipped with bender element and strain gauges on the local base). The developed Standard specifies requirements for laboratory definition of stiffness at small strains.

Templated synthesis of ZnO quantum dots via double solvents method inside MOF-801 as emerging photocatalyst for photodegradation of Acid Blue 25 under UV light

Templated synthesis of ZnO quantum dots (QDs) is one of the most important techniques for controlled synthesis of it without need of surfactants and advanced laboratory equipment. MOF-801 was used as a template for the synthesis of ZnO QDs with controlled shape and size. The “ship-in-a-bottle” approach was applied for templated synthesis of ZnO QDs into the MOF-801 porous matrix via double solvents method (DSM) combined with an in situ reduction route (ISRR). The formation of ZnO QDs inside MOF-801 template was monitored by PXRD, FT-IR, EDX, ICP-OES, XPS, BET, TEM, DRS, PL, EIS, and Mott − Schottky analyses. The ZnOQDs@MOF-801 nanocomposite as emerging photocatalyst exhibited better photocatalytic performance for degradation of Acid Blue 25 with a rate constant of 0.00179 min−1 which is 2.35 higher than MOF-801 (0.00076 min−1) under UV irradiation, due to ZnO QDs embedded inside MOF-801 template. The unique properties of ZnO QDs, including quantum confinement, multiple exciton generation, and efficient separation of charge carriers through decrease in electron-hole recombination at the quantum scale, contribute to the photocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 25.

Direct shear setup for studying the THM shear response of the soil-structure interface in the context of energy geostructures

Developing pathways for climate-resilient development involves integrating mitigation and adaptation actions, ensuring sustainable development [1]. A climate-resilient development can be achieved through the inclusion of effective mitigation approaches into development planning, reducing vulnerability, conserving ecosystems, and restoring ecosystems [1]. In this regard, energy geostructures are introduced as an effective mitigating approach, providing renewable energy while limiting the emission of greenhouse gases [2-4]. The operation of the system is closely linked to daily and seasonal cycles, which leads to cyclic temperature and water content fluctuations at the soil and the soil-structure interface [4, 5]. Thus, the study of the shear response of the soil–structure interface subjected to different thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) conditions is of importance. Testing techniques used to study the THM behaviour of unsaturated soils require advanced laboratory equipment, as well as protocols for correcting measured data due to errors in the test conditions and apparatus calibration. This paper presents the development of a new direct shear setup to measure the non-isothermal shear strength of the partially saturated soils and soil-structure interface. The modified setup, a unique one to the authors' knowledge, enables simultaneous control of temperature, matric suction, and mechanical stress state within the soil specimens. The operational temperature range of energy geostructures (i.e., 5°C to 50) is applied through a thermal plate, developed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel with high thermal conductivity, placed at the base of the soil specimen. Matric suction (i.e., in the range of 0 to 100 kPa) is controlled using the axis-translation technique and measured using a pressure transducer connected to the back of the top cap, incorporating the HAE disk, facilitating the measurement (Figure 1) [2, 4-6]. The direct shear setup is modified to accurately measure the shear strength and deformation characteristics of soil samples under controlled laboratory conditions. The design of the device is based on previous direct shear devices but includes several improvements to enhance its accuracy and ease of use [4, 5]. The device has been tested to measure the shear response of both soils and soil-structure interfaces, and the results were compared to those obtained using conventional direct shear devices [2, 4, 7-10]. The results indicate that the new device is accurate and reliable and represents a significant advancement in the field of soil testing.
 In this study, the interface is formed by kaolin clay, a temperature-sensitive clay, and concrete, a structural material widely used for energy geostructures [4, 11]. The soil samples were prepared by static compaction at 30% initial water content () and an initial void ratio () of 1.2. Initially, all samples were inundated with distilled water at room temperature (24°C) [4, 12], followed by sequential hydraulic (i.e., matric suction, = 0 or 70 kPa), mechanical (i.e., net normal load, =100 or 300 kPa), and thermal (i.e., temperature, =24°C or 45°C) loading of the interface. The shearing was initiated after ensuring equilibrium criteria were met. It was necessary to limit the shearing rate to 0.005mm/min and the thermal loading rate to 3°C/hr to maintain the drained condition [4, 13]. Additionally, the vertical displacements associated with hydraulic load were subjected to an equilibrium criterion of 0.025%/day strain rate [14]. As presented in Table 1, the results revealed that the apparent interface friction angle was not significantly affected by matric suction at varying temperatures, but a slight decrease has been observed upon heating at all matric suctions. The apparent adhesion increased in response to temperature increase/decrease, with a decreasing rate as suction increased, while the interface desaturation led to higher apparent adhesion at all temperatures, corresponding to peak and residual values. In interfaces subjected to identical normal stress and temperature but different matric suction values, the shear stress-shear displacement curves showed greater peak stress with increasing matric suction. Furthermore, despite the same net normal stress and matric suction, higher temperatures resulted in slightly lower peak shear stress and less contractive volume change behaviour at the interface. Non-isothermal volumetric behaviour and soil dilatancy play a significant role in governing the THM shear response of the interface [15].

Long-term stability of molecular doped epigraphene quantum Hall standards: single elements and large arrays (R K/236 ≈ 109 Ω)

In this work we investigate the long-term stability of epitaxial graphene (epigraphene) quantum Hall resistance standards, including single devices and an array device composed of 236 elements providing R K/236 ≈ 109 Ω, with R K the von Klitzing constant. All devices utilize the established technique of chemical doping via molecular dopants to achieve homogenous doping and control over carrier density. However, optimal storage conditions and the long-term stability of molecular dopants for metrological applications have not been widely studied. In this work we aim to identify simple storage techniques that use readily available and cost-effective materials which provide long-term stability for devices without the need for advanced laboratory equipment. The devices are stored in glass bottles with four different environments: ambient, oxygen absorber, silica gel desiccant, and oxygen absorber/desiccant mixture. We have tracked the carrier densities, mobilities, and quantization accuracies of eight different epigraphene quantum Hall chips for over two years. We observe the highest stability (i.e. lowest change in carrier density) for samples stored in oxygen absorber/desiccant mixture, with a relative change in carrier density below 0.01% per day and no discernable degradation of quantization accuracy at the part-per-billion level. This storage technique yields a comparable stability to the currently established best storage method of inert nitrogen atmosphere, but it is much easier to realize in practice. It is possible to further optimize the mixture of oxygen absorber/desiccant for even greater stability performance in the future. We foresee that this technique can allow for simple and stable long-term storage of polymer-encapsulated molecular doped epigraphene quantum Hall standards, removing another barrier for their wide-spread use in practical metrology.

The Effect of Chemistry Experiment Classes Utilizing Advanced Laboratory Equipment at Science High Schools on the Development of Affective Characteristics in Science of Ordinary High School Students Hoping for Careers in Science and Engineering

The Effect of Chemistry Experiment Classes Utilizing Advanced Laboratory Equipment at Science High Schools on the Development of Affective Characteristics in Science of Ordinary High School Students Hoping for Careers in Science and Engineering

Simple Extraction of Cannabinoids from Female Inflorescences of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

The high interest in non-psychoactive cannabidiol increases the need for efficient and straightforward cannabidiol (CBD) extraction methods. The research aimed to compare simple methods of cannabinoid extraction that do not require advanced laboratory equipment. This work assesses the content of total CBD and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in popular solvents such as water and ethanol extracts. Hemp raw material was analyzed with Gas Chromatography with a Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), while extracts were tested by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The female inflorescences of three varieties of industrial hemp were tested: Futura 75, KC Dora, and Tygra (different sowing and N fertilization densities). Tygra (T/10/30) showed the highest content of CBD (0.064%) in water extracts. However, in 80% tincture from Futura 75 (F/30/30), a higher CBD content of 1.393% was observed. The use of 96% ethanol for extraction and ultrasound enabled the highest CBD content to be obtained: 2.682% in Futura 75 (F/30/30). Cold water extraction showed no effect on Δ9-THC content, while hot water extraction increased content from 0.001% in KC Dora to 0.002% in Futura 75 (F/30/30) and Tygra, but the changes were statistically insignificant. Application of 80% ethanol revealed the significantly highest content of Δ9-THC in KC Dora, from 0.026% (K/30/90) to 0.057% (K/30/30), as well as in Tygra (T/30/30) (0.036%) and Futura 75 (F/30/30) (0.048%). The use of ethanol extraction in combination with ultrasound could be an efficient method of obtaining cannabinoids.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Lymphocyte-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) as Covid-19 Screening Parameters

Covid-19 diagnosis generally uses RT-PCR as the gold standard to detect coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2); however, this method requires advanced laboratory equipment. Alternatively, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Lymphocyte-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) can be used to identify viral infection. The study aimed: (1) to compare each NLR and LMR ratio in patients with and without COVID-19 and (2) to test the effectiveness of these ratios in identifying COVID-19. The study was conducted at the Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital by acquiring 87 medical records data. The complete hematologic profile was analyzed from patients with and without COVID-19. The NLR and LMR ratio accuracy were analyzed as a screening tool for COVID-19. The AUC of NLR was 0.638, with cut-off ≤ 2.49, 47.6% sensitivity, and 80% specificity; therefore, the NLR accuracy as a screening for COVID-19 was defined as not good (just sufficient) because of AUC <0,7. The AUC of LMR was 0.661, with cut-off ≥ 3.23, 45.2% sensitivity, and 82.2% specificity; therefore, the LMR accuracy as a screening parameter for COVID-19 is defined as not good (just sufficient) because of AUC <0,7. There were significant differences in hematologic profile in neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR, LMR between the patients in the COVID-19 group and non-COVID-19 group. NLR and LMR cannot be used as a screening tool because the Area Under Curve (AUC) is not good enough (just sufficient) in detecting COVID-19.

On the merits of a unified physics and engineering undergraduate programme of study

The merits of a pedagogic and programmatic unification between physics and several engineering disciplines at the undergraduate level are discussed. Arguments for such a unification are presented, based on the strong overlap of core teaching material and the similarity of career trajectories in the modern job market for physics and engineering graduates. In addition to providing a level of robustness for academic institutions against external factors such as fluctuating student intake numbers, such a merger can also have positive dividends for increased inclusion of minority and female students in STEM fields. The widespread availability and affordability of advanced laboratory equipment, computing hardware/software and other technical infrastructure at the current time is also highlighted as a reason for the practical feasibility of this approach.

RT-LAMP CRISPR-Cas12/13-Based SARS-CoV-2 Detection Methods.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has attracted public attention. The gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19 is reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). However, RT-qPCR can only be performed in centralized laboratories due to the requirement for advanced laboratory equipment and qualified workers. In the last decade, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has shown considerable promise in the development of rapid, highly sensitive, and specific molecular diagnostic methods that do not require complicated instrumentation. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, there has been growing interest in using CRISPR-based diagnostic techniques to develop rapid and accurate assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we review and summarize reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) CRISPR-based diagnostic techniques for detecting SARS-CoV-2.

Point-of-Need Diagnostics for Foodborne Pathogen Screening.

Foodborne illness is a major public health issue that results in millions of global infections annually. The burden of such illness sits mostly with developing countries, as access to advanced laboratory equipment and skilled lab technicians, as well as consistent power sources, is limited and expensive. Current gold standards in foodborne pathogen screening involve labor-intensive sample enrichment steps, pathogen isolation and purification, and costly readout machinery. Overall, time to detection can take multiple days, excluding the time it takes to ship samples to off-site laboratories. Efforts have been made to simplify the workflow of such tests by integrating multiple steps of foodborne pathogen screening procedures into a singular device, as well as implementing more point-of-need readout methods. In this review, we explore recent advancements in developing point-of-need devices for foodborne pathogen screening. We discuss the detection of surface markers, nucleic acids, and metabolic products using both paper-based and microfluidic devices, focusing primarily on developments that have been made between 2015 and mid-2020.

The development and validation of the GI-ALE instructional model for the emerging collective intelligence of the scientifically gifted student

This research aims to develop an instructional model using advanced laboratory equipment (ALE) based on collective intelligence attributes that can be applied to the scientifically-gifted students. The developed GI-ALE model is defined by introducing the principles of the group investigation (GI) model to the existing ALE instructional model based on the factors of six types of collective intelligence: shared vision and value formation, knowledge in specific areas and diversity in those areas, knowledge sharing system, dynamism through decentralization and integration, and synergy effect. After deriving the learning design principles from the attributes of the six types of collective intelligence, the specific teaching and learning elements have been extracted. The GI-ALE model consists of seven steps: announcing learning goals, organizing groups and subtopics, preparing an experimental plan, preparing preliminary reports, the presentation of pre-report written in group unit, experimenting, creating report in group unit, and sharing and evaluating the outputs. It was applied to 76 students in a chemistry experiment lesson engaged in the second-grade curriculum at a Science High School. From qualitative data obtained after model application, this model helped students to acquire advanced scientific experimental skills and various types of knowledge. It has been also confirmed that the students experienced dynamic interactions and decentralized leadership as required by collective intelligence in the process of sharing and integrating professional experimental knowledge. In addition, the students had many opportunities for individual and collective reflection through open self-directed learning. By using one device on a variety of topics with their colleagues through group activities, they had the confidence to utilize it individually. The GI-ALE instructional model also helped scientifically-gifted students to deepen their scientific inquiry level. This model will encourage the gifted students to be able to explore the real world, to learn the attributes of collective intelligence, and to produce knowledge autonomously.

Construction of Intramural Practice Base and Improvement of Experimental Teaching System

It is of great importance to enhance the experimental teaching and improve the existing teaching module. In order to construct a new experimental teaching system of art and design, it is necessary to set up teaching contents rationally which focus on the comprehensive experiment of innovation and entrepreneurship. The construction of intramural practice training base is the guarantee of training professional personnel which should be built on the basis of the existing experimental resources and advanced laboratory equipment. According to the current situation, this article analyzes the importance of improving the existing experimental teaching module, proposes to set up reasonable experimental teaching contents and focus on comprehensive development of innovation and entrepreneurship, and finally puts forward relevant suggestions on the integration of school resources and training base construction.

Construction of Intramural Practice Base and Improvement of Experimental Teaching System

It is of great importance to enhance the experimental teaching and improve the existing teaching module. In order to construct a new experimental teaching system of art and design, it is necessary to set up teaching contents rationally which focus on the comprehensive experiment of innovation and entrepreneurship. The construction of intramural practice training base is the guarantee of training professional personnel which should be built on the basis of the existing experimental resources and advanced laboratory equipment. According to the current situation, this article analyzes the importance of improving the existing experimental teaching module, proposes to set up reasonable experimental teaching contents and focus on comprehensive development of innovation and entrepreneurship, and finally puts forward relevant suggestions on the integration of school resources and training base construction.

Innovative PCR without DNA extraction for African sickle cell disease diagnosis

ABSTRACTObjectives: Hemoglobin (Hb) disorders consist of thalassemia and Hb structural variants, of which the major forms are associated with severe anemia and/or vascular occlusion. Current diagnostic techniques are highly accurate and mostly based on isoelectric focusing, high-performance liquid chromatography or mass spectrometry, which often require advanced laboratory equipment. In sub-Saharan Africa, the Hb disorders are mainly associated to the pathological variants hemoglobin S (HbS) and HbC. Unfortunately, until now, it is not easy to get a diagnosis of these disorders in this area. In this study, we tested the performance of a new molecular diagnostic tests on qualified samples.Methods: The Human Hb S/C Lamp assay is a new polymerase chain reaction test able to detect HbS, HbC and HbA alleles without DNA extraction, directly on fresh or frozen blood samples, or on dried blood spots (DBS). In this study, we compared the genotyping of 248 blood samples (56 whole blood and 192 DBS) with this LAMP assay to the routine diagnostic methods performed in the genetics lab at the university hospital of Liège.Results: Our results show that the LAMP method can detect HbS and HbC with an accuracy of 100%. Moreover, this test can be used for the neonatal screening because we did not observe any interference with fetal Hb.Discussion: To our knowledge, this method is the only molecular assay that can be performed directly on dried blood cards without DNA extraction, lowering handling, turnaround time and costs.

과학고등학교 화학수업에서 첨단과학 실험기기 활용 수업 전략의 개발 및 타당화: 자외선-가시광선 및 적외선 분광기를 중심으로

이 연구의 목적은 과학고등학교 화학수업에서 첨단과학 실험기기를 활용한 수업(이하 ALE 수업)전략을 개발하고 이 전략을 활용한 수업을 실시한 후, 학생들의 인식을 통해 ALE 수업 전략의 타당성을 살펴보고, ALE 수업자료 개발의 필요성을 고찰해 보는 것이다. 이를 위해 첨단과학 실험기기를 활용한 7차시의 수업을 구성하여 D과학고 21명에게 적용하고 이에 대한 설문을 실시하였다. 이후, 설문에 성실히 응답한 학생 9명을 대상으로 한 실험보고서 및 심층 면담을 통해 ALE 수업에 대한 학생들의 인식을 분석하였다. ALE 수업을 통해 학생들은 실시간으로 처리되는 데이터를 활용함으로써 수준 높은 학습개념을 쉽게 이해하게 되었고, 주변의 친숙한 물질이 실험재료가 될 수 있다는 점을 발견함으로써 실용적 탐구에 대한 안목을 갖게 되었다. 이에 따라 학생들의 과학에 대한 흥미와 자율탐구의지가 고취되었고 일부 학생은 실생활에서 발견한 일상적 문제를 검증가능한 과학적 문제로 구체화시키는 것과 같은 창의적 수행을 실시하기도 했다. 이와 같이 ALE 수업은 과학고등학교 학생들에게 과학기술에 대한 이해와 함께 과학에 대한 영역을 폭넓게 이해시키는 구체적인 방안의 하나가 될 것이다. The purpose of this study was to find out the validation of instructional strategies using the Advanced Laboratory Equipment (ALE class) by investigating science high school students’ perception on ALE in chemistry classrooms and to consider the need for development of teaching materials on ALE class. 7 sessions of ALE including experiments with innovative equipment were developed and applied to 21 students in D Science High School. At the end of the sessions, questionnaire was given to the students. We also collected qualitative data by interviewing 9 students who participated in the questionnaire. We analyzed the data collected by In-depth interviews and students’ experimental reports. The result showed that ALE class was effective to enhance students’ understanding of learning concepts because the experimental time was shortened in real time data processing. Some students showed creative performance on solving scientific problems by using everyday materials in experimental process and developed perceptions of practical inquiry. Through this process, students’ positive attitudes and interests in science and heuristic inquiry skills were also enhanced. Developing ALE lesson materials will be helpful for students to understand science and technology and the domain of science in broader contexts.

Experimental Investigation of Permeability and Fluid Loss Properties of Water Based Mud under High Temperature-High Pressure Conditions

Drilling in deeper formations and in high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) environments is a new frontier for the oil industry. Fifty years ago, no one would have imagined drilling in more than 10,000 feet of water depth like we do today. However, more issues need to be researched, tested, and studied in order to maintain a good drilling efficiency as deeper depths are drilled. One of these issues is the great effect that drilling at HPHT conditions has on the behavior of drilling fluids. The goal of this research was to study fluid loss properties of water based mud and its effect on permeability under HPHT dynamic conditions utilizing advanced laboratory equipment that allows for wide ranges of pressure and temperature. Filtration tests were performed at both ambient and HPHT conditions. After several laboratory evaluations of fluid loss additives available in the market, Polysal HT was found to be the most effective in reducing the fluid loss of the water based mud for both static and dynamic tests at HPHT conditions. It is economically designed to be saturated in salt and other brine system. An additive that encapsulates particles with protective polymer coating as colloid. Drilling fluid stabilizer especially in drilling hydratable shale and a remarkable effectiveness in wide range make up water (high saline and high hardness). The fluid loss behavior of the mud and the characteristics of the filter cake produced are the basic factors that need to be considered when determining mud treatment. A detailed workflow of experiments using equipment from OFITE HPHT Fluid Apparatus with differential pressure of 500 psi under 230°F with 2.5” filter paper (30 minutes) as well as OFITE Permeable Plugging Tester with 1,200 psi differential pressure @ 230°F using a ceramic disc were conducted. Also tests were conducted using the Low Temperature- Low Pressure API Filter Press at 100 psi @77°F with 3.5” filter paper for the purpose of comparison. Key words: Permeability; Fluid loss; Water based mud; High pressure high temperature

Simplified three-dimensional model provides anatomical insights in lizards' caudal autotomy as printed illustration.

Lizards' caudal autotomy is a complex and vastly employed antipredator mechanism, with thorough anatomic adaptations involved. Due to its diminished size and intricate structures, vertebral anatomy is hard to be clearly conveyed to students and researchers of other areas. Three-dimensional models are prodigious tools in unveiling anatomical nuances. Some of the techniques used to create them can produce irregular and complicated forms, which despite being very accurate, lack didactical uniformity and simplicity. Since both are considered fundamental characteristics for comprehension, a simplified model could be the key to improve learning. The model here presented depicts the caudal osteology of Tropidurus itambere, and was designed to be concise, in order to be easily assimilated, yet complete, not to compromise the informative aspect. The creation process requires only basic skills in manipulating polygons in 3D modeling softwares, in addition to the appropriate knowledge of the structure to be modeled. As reference for the modeling, we used microscopic observation and a photograph database of the caudal structures. This way, no advanced laboratory equipment was needed and all biological materials were preserved for future research. Therefore, we propose a wider usage of simplified 3D models both in the classroom and as illustrations for scientific publications.