Open Treatment Research Articles

Nocturnal pollinators significantly contribute to tree bean (Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.) reproductive success compared to diurnal pollinators

The prevailing scientific research in agricultural pollination is primarily focused on diurnal pollinators. However, the active role of pollinators during the night hours, such as moths and bats, is gradually expanding. Parkia timoriana (tree bean) was selected for the present study to test the significance of nocturnal pollinators in reproductive success. Tree bean is a highly valuable tree species of ecological and socio-economic importance on agricultural farms in Southeast Asia. We examined the contributions of nocturnal and diurnal floral visitors to the reproductive success of P. timoriana via an exclusion bagging experiment in the Mizoram, north-east India. A comparison of the relative contributions of nocturnal and diurnal pollinators to the fruit production of P. timoriana was performed by quantitative parameters. We found that nocturnal pollinators outperformed diurnal pollinators in terms of all the quantity parameters and were significantly different (p < 0.05) from each other. The nocturnal pollinators have clearly facilitated fruit production in P. timoriana, which was statistically similar to the levels of pollination observed in the open pollination treatment. The results of the present study suggest that the nocturnal pollinators significantly affect the reproductive success of P. timoriana (tree bean) in an agricultural land setting.

Rare complications of acute pancreatitis: Clinical cases

Background. Acute pancreatitis is recognized as a common disease, occasionally accompanied by the development of local complications that require surgical debridement. Rare complications of pancreatitis may occur in clinical practice, which is one of the reasons for their untimely diagnosis and treatment. Pancreaticopleural fistula and high small bowel obstruction develop in less than 1% of acute pancreatitis cases. Therefore, possible options for management of these complications are considered valuable. Description of clinical cases. The clinical examples, provided in the present paper, describe pancreaticopleural fistula and high small bowel obstruction that develop against the peripancreatic mass in the abdominal cavity. Patient K., 44, was hospitalized to the Regional Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care, Krasnodar Krai, and preliminary diagnosed with bilateral hydrothorax and type II respiratory failure; pleural puncture was performed. Following the extended examination, a clinical diagnosis was made as follows: “Acute necrotic pancreatitis spreading to a pancreatic tail cyst. Reactive double pleurisy”. The postoperative period was indicated with repeated recurrence of right hydrothorax, and pancreaticopleural fistula (diagnosed by measuring amylase activity in the brown fluid effused from the right pleural cavity, which appeared to be 41216 IU/l (not normally determined)). The right pleural cavity and pseudocyst of the pancreatic tail were drained, resulting in obliteration of the pancreatbcopleural fistula. Patient V., 50, was hospitalized and transferred to the surgical department of the Regional Clinical Hospital No. 2, Krasnodar Krai, and diagnosed with “pancreonecrosis, extensive purulent-necrotic peripancreatitis.” The patient underwent puncture-drainage treatment. The postoperative period was complicated by acute small bowel obstruction. Surgical treatment involved Braun enteroesterostomy. The patient recovered. Conclusion. Pancreaticopleural fistula refers to a rare complication of acute pancreatitis, manifested by hydrothorax. Its diagnosis is based on the determination of amylase activity in the effusion. Drainage of the pleural cavity and pancreatic pseudocyst contributes to obliteration of the fistula. The intestinal obstruction, another complication of pancreatitis, requires open surgical treatment when a conservative therapy appears ineffective.

Interference Behaviour between Bedding Planes and Hydraulic Fractures and Its Influence on the Complex Fracture Network in Shale

Interference Behaviour between Bedding Planes and Hydraulic Fractures and Its Influence on the Complex Fracture Network in Shale

Shale Mechanics in Deep Drilling: Enhancing Stability and Efficiency Through AI and Hydraulic Fracturing

Shale mechanics is a critical field in the drilling process, especially during deep drilling and the development of unconventional resources, where shale formations present various challenges. Given the diverse and multi-scale nature of shale, mechanical characteristics such as brittleness, fracture toughness, and stress behavior must be effectively controlled to ensure wellbore stability, optimize fracture treatments, and enhance drilling efficiency. Key areas of interest in this review include wellbore stability, hydraulic fracturing methods, and the application of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The current literature was extensively reviewed, with an emphasis on major papers addressing various aspects of shale mechanics. The appropriate selection of fluid and mud weight has been identified as critical for maintaining wellbore stability. Despite advances in hydraulic fracturing technology that have improved production efficiency, environmental concerns - particularly regarding water usage and chemical management - remain significant. Furthermore, the integration of AI and ML has enhanced production forecasts and resource estimation, though challenges related to data quality and availability persist. A review of the current state of knowledge in shale mechanics indicates that further progress will require improved geomechanical models, advanced monitoring tools, and environmentally sustainable strategies.

Application of pressure small signals extraction and amplification technology in abandoned well pattern for geothermal energy extraction and H2 storage: Numerical modeling and economic analysis

Using abandoned reservoirs for geothermal energy development and H2 storage is economical. The impact of complex fractures from long-term oil and gas extraction on geothermal energy and H2 storage is not yet clearly understood. Here, a pressure small signals extraction and amplification (PSEA) technology is developed to improve reservoir monitoring accuracy. This technology is capable of coupling many pressure transient analysis models to invert parameters for multiple scenarios. This work establishes numerical models to simulate the effects of geothermal energy extraction and H2 storage over 5000 days. Results show that this technology improves the accuracy of inverted parameters by 4–14 times. This technology adjusts the production temperature differences in a single injection-production system from 1.4K to 6.5K and the net heat power from 0.25 MW to 1.1 MW, and it can also identify an early low-rate H2 storage phase. The Non-Sorting Genetic Algorithm II calculates that the PSEA technology brings economic benefits of $704,000 and $352,000 for geothermal energy extraction and H2 storage in a single injection-production system. In conclusion, the developed monitoring technology and models improve accuracy in assessing geothermal energy development and H2 storage, preventing failures in residential heating or H2 storage projects.

Influence of Augmented Fixation to Dynamic Hip Screw on Trochanteric Lateral Wall

This paper focused on lateral trochanteric wall stress which is a contributing factor for the success of complex trochanteric fracture management with loss of medical bone support. Its aim was to assess performance of augmented fixations to Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS). The analysis was performed using Finite Element (FE) method, where the femoral bone and fixations were developed from reverse engineering technique. The boundary conditions were physiological loads with constraints at distal condyle. It was revealed that lateral augmented fixation i.e. trochanteric stabilization plate raised the trochanteric lateral wall stress that could be at risk of bone breakage.

Effect of α‐Ferrite on Plasticity and Fracture Mechanisms of Dual‐Phase Ultrastrong Heterolamellar Steels

Lamellar heterostructure design is widely recognized as a potential method to improve strength and ductility simultaneously of high‐performance steel. However, the high mechanical contrast among soft/hard phase and inharmonic plastic deformation lead to complex fracture mechanisms and limit the improvement of plasticity. Herein, the plasticity and tensile fracture mechanisms of two types of δ‐ferrite and lath martensite heterolamellar steels with and without α‐ferrite are investigated. The sample without α‐ferrite shows a combination of cleavage in δ‐ferrite and dimple zones in the martensite. The microcracks initiate in the martensite early and the then the cleavage fracture occurs in the δ‐ferrite due to the stress concentration. In contrast, the sample with α‐ferrite has lower plasticity. Failure of the samples with α‐ferrite is govern by the microcracks initiating in the interface of martensite/α‐ferrite. Eliminating the impact of the effect of α‐ferrite, the total elongation increases from 8.9% to 11.6%, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases from 1567 to 1652 MPa. This study investigates the critical factor in plasticity control of dual‐phase heterostructure and promotes the development and application of lamellar structure.

Reversal of Bone Mineral Density Loss Through Lifestyle Changes: A Case Report.

Approximately 10 million individuals in the United States have osteoporosis and 44 million have low bone mineral density which puts them at risk for bone breaks. This presents a large burden on our health care system since about one-quarter of hip fracture patients never regain full function, need nursing care, and, for those over age 50, 24% die within one year. Oral bisphosphonates are often used as first-line therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis; however, patients frequently experience significant side effects. In addition, bisphosphonates inhibit bone loss by initiating apoptosis in osteoclasts that remove old bone, thus allowing old bone to accumulate and slowing the activity of osteoblasts that create new bone, thereby affecting bone quality. As an alternative, a bone-friendly lifestyle, including calcium and vitamin D consumption, exercise, smoking cessation, and a decrease in alcohol intake, may reduce bone loss. This case report describes lifestyle changes that included diet and exercise that increased bone mineral density in two years in a post-menopausal woman with no negative side effects.

Research on microscale displacement characteristics of supercritical CO2 fracturing in shale oil reservoirs

AbstractThe great success of CO2 fracturing in shale oil reservoirs has not only increased the production capacity of shale oil, but also effectively carried out CO2 geological storage. In this paper, focusing on the microscale displacement characteristics of CO2 fracturing in shale oil reservoirs, first, the impact of oil saturation and gas invasion pressure on gas invasion is discussed. Then, the coupling control mode of oil saturation/pressure for various mechanisms of gas invasion is revealed. Results show that: (a) at lower displacement, the rock core has a lower initiation pressure and is fractured in a shorter period of time; (b) at higher displacement, the required fracturing time is longer and the fracturing pressure increases, but the fracturing effect is good and it is easy to form complex fracture networks; and (c) under higher pressure conditions, more complex fractures can be formed, which is beneficial for reservoir transformation and production improvement.

Elastic nail versus plate for treatment of single close fracture of femur shaft

This study aims to describe the outcome of pediatric flexible nails versus plates for the treatment of femur fracture. We reviewed the medical records of 28 femur fractures in children treated with flexible nail insertion and 26 children treated with plate fixation from January 2017 to December 2019. The mean age of the children was 8.88 ± 1.86 years. Data were obtained from patient charts. Union of bones was found in all the operated children, 28 (51.9%) of the group flexible nails, while no union was found in 3 (5.6%) of the group plate with screws. Delay union was found in 5 (9.3%) of the plate with screws, while in the group of flexible nails was in 2 (3.7%). Malrotation was found in 2 (3.7%) of the flexible nails and in 1 (1.9%) in the plate and screw. Bursa was found only in the flexible nails with 7 (13%) (p = 0.007). Re-fracture was found only in the group of plates with screws with 5 (9.3%) (p = 0.021). The limbs were shortened only in 1 (1.9%) patient with flexible nails. Superficial infection was high in the group plate with screws group 4 (7.4%). Deep infection was found to be high among 3 (5.6%) of the group plate &amp; screw. We conclude that flexible intramedullary nail fixation of fracture shaft femur in children is a very acceptable way of treatment and is associated with minimal complications.

Postmortem CT and autopsy findings in an elevator-related death: a case report

AbstractElevator-related fatalities and injuries are rarely discussed. Falls have been identified as the first cause of mortality in the majority of these accidents. Evidence suggests that many elevator accidents may be attributed to inadequate equipment maintenance or malfunctions of the devices. This study examines a case involving an elevator maintenance worker found within an elevator shaft, using postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) along with a full autopsy. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was severe polytrauma resulting from dragging, compression, and crushing mechanisms, which resulted in a dislocated skull and multiple thoraco-abdominal injuries, including exposed organs and viscera. Detailed examination identified a cranio-encephalic crush, leading to a significant alteration in the physiognomy of the facial structures. Additionally, PMCT revealed complex spinal fractures, such as a Jefferson fracture and a complete Chance fracture at the D6 vertebra, accompanied by spinal deviation proximal to the fracture site. Autopsy findings corroborated these PMCT results. A multidisciplinary approach, including PMCT, is proposed as a strategic method for the comprehensive reconstruction of such accidents, facilitating the collection of extensive data.

Identification of Nearly Pure Leakoff Phase from Pressure Falloff Curve and Its Interpretation on Stimulated Fracture Areas

Summary Evaluation of fractures post-hydraulic fracturing is crucial for optimizing fracturing designs. Pressure falloff analysis methods, due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of data acquisition, have been widely used in oil fields. However, traditional pressure falloff analysis methods are based on the assumption of simple double-wing fractures and often overlook the impact of early-time abnormal leakoff behaviors. While some scholars have proposed pressure falloff equations for individual abnormal leakoff behavior, establishing pressure falloff models that consider the coupling of multiple abnormal leakoff behaviors is challenging, making the assessment of complex fracture networks difficult. This paper proposes a method that identifies the phase of nearly pure leakoff pressure falloff through continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and utilizes this phase for fracture inversion. Additionally, the fracture inversion model considers the differences in closure pressure and fracture compliance between main and secondary fractures. This method is applied to a shale horizontal well, and the results show that the inversion fracture areas are 20.3% smaller on average than the traditional method after removing the disturbance of abnormal leakoff behaviors. The new method is verified by the production data of each stage. The correlation between the main fracture area of new method and the production of each stage is better than that of the traditional method, and the correlation coefficient is 0.767. It is also found that the development degree of natural fractures affects the proportion of main and secondary fractures. In addition, it is found from the time-frequency diagram after CWT that the stages with higher secondary fracture proportions have more high-frequency components in the time-frequency diagram.

Fracability evaluation model for unconventional reservoirs: From the perspective of hydraulic fracturing performance

Fracability evaluation for unconventional reservoir is critical to the selection of candidate zones for post-frac productivity and plays a key role in fracturing design. Historically, the prevailing models for assessing fracability have been largely relied on brittleness indices. Brittleness indices focus mainly on rock fracture characteristics and offers limited assessment of fracture surface area and the complexity of fracture network, which are more relevant to the practical production. We explored a new fracability evaluation model for unconventional reservoirs from the perspective of fracturing performance, which comprehensively characterizes the rock's ability to generate larger fracture surface areas, more shear fractures and complex fracture networks. The new fracability index considers both the physical processes of rock failure and fracture propagation, and is directly associated with the dynamic production capacities of reservoir. According to the analysis of energy conservation during hydraulic fracturing, we quantify the rock fracture surface area using the KGD and the PKN models. The ability of rock formation to generate shear fractures is mainly influenced by Poisson's ratio and mode II fracture toughness. Brittle mineral content and mineral heterogeneity are two vital criteria that significantly affect the complexity of fracture networks. Based on the logging and production data, this fracability model was applied to two types of unconventional reservoirs. Preliminary results show that this fracability model has an improved correlation with the pay zones and actual production, which is beneficial for optimizing fracturing strategies and identifying production sweet spots.

Energy mechanism of gas channeling channels in complex fracture networks for CO2 injection in ultra-low permeability reservoirs

The injection of CO2 into ultra-low permeability can enhance production as well as accomplish storage of carbon. However, the gas channeling phenomenon is serious and there is a lack of explanation of the energy mechanism. Based on the current state of CO2 gas channeling in the Y29-105 well group located in the Huang 3 block of Jiyuan Oilfield, this study utilises the ABAQUS finite element cohesion model to explore the mechanical evolution of the CO2 channel expansion process. And according to the size of the cross-flow channel, intra-fracture pressure, damage displacement and expansion pressure, it is divided into the unconnected stage, the inter-well connected stage and the well group connected stage. Furthermore, we also established energy judgment criteria for the expansion behaviour of gas channeling channels, including stopping at natural fractures, extending along natural fractures, and directly crossing natural fractures. Upon comparison with theoretical and experimental results, it was determined that the energy discrimination criterion is appropriate for expansion along natural fractures and cross natural fractures. It can be seen that our research results can offer energy mechanism support for preventing, controlling, and predicting large-scale CO2 injection in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.

Ranking the Orthopedic Procedures With the Highest Morbidity and Mortality.

Musculoskeletal conditions currently affect more than one-third of the US population and orthopedic procedures play a pivotal role in managing them. Like any invasive intervention, these carry a wide spectrum of risk, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the associated morbidity and mortality. This study sought to provide a global perspective of the risks and complications associated with these procedures to establish an easy to understand risk stratification tool for both patients and providers. Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with orthopedic surgery were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2018 to 2020. Each code was associated with its rate of 30-day mortality as well as any adverse event (AAE) and then ranked for descriptive analysis. In total, there were 698,549 patients who underwent orthopedic procedures associated with 94 CPT codes with at least 1 morbidity event and 144 CPT codes with at least 1 AAE. The CPT code associated with the highest mortality was 27590 or above knee amputation. The CPT code associated with the highest rate of AAE was 27507 or open treatment of femoral shaft fracture with plate and screws. This is the first study to compare the rates of morbidity and mortality in all patients with orthopedic procedures. There was a strong bias toward increased risk associated with lower extremity surgery and surgery most often performed in the geriatric population. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

Study on the evaluation of shale reservoir brittleness based on mineral disorder

Brittleness serves as a critical indicator for assessing whether reservoirs can form complex fracture networks. While methods based on brittle mineral content or rock mechanical parameters are widely used, their lack of integration between mineralogy and mechanics introduces limitations. A single evaluation parameter cannot accurately assess shale brittleness. There is a need for a universally applicable method that comprehensively considers mineral composition, mechanical properties, and brittleness variations in shale evaluation. This study uses Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin as an example, establishing a mineral disorder index based on shale mineral composition and mechanical characteristics, incorporating the influence of confining pressure to establish a shale brittleness index. Results indicate varying weights of brittleness contributions from different minerals, ranked in descending order: pyrite, quartz, calcite, dolomite, feldspar, and clay. Greater complexity in mineral combinations correlates with lower shale brittleness indices. Typically, single mineral disorder indices show a positive correlation with internal mineral disorder indices. Confining pressure exhibits an inversely proportional relationship with shale brittleness indices, with brittleness at 30, 50, and 70 MPa confining pressures being 0.737, 0.586, and 0.451 times those without confining pressure, respectively. This method guides current brittleness research and reservoir production enhancement.

A clinical prospective study on the surgical management of zygomatico-maxillary complex fractures using two-point fixation

The ZMC fractures are one of the most frequently occurring maxillofacial injuries due to its prominence and facial contour. The ZMC forms a principle buttress of face and helps transmit occlusal forces to skull base. Fracture of zygomatic bone leads aesthetic and functional deformity. Restoration to premorbid condition is most predictable by ORIF. In this study was to evaluate efficacy of two-point internal fixation using conventional miniplates and screws for ZMC fractures. 35 patients with established unilateral isolated ZMC fractures were operated using two-point fixation method i.e. the maxillary buttress and the fronto-zygomatic suture, followed up for 3 months. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at different follow up intervals. Charts of patients were reviewed for age, gender, etiology, malar height analysis and vertical dystopia. 35 patients in this study, underwent ORIF under GA with two-point fixation. Preoperatively, mean malar height of the patients recorded was 66.55 ± 3.02. There was a significant increase in malar height postoperatively (P &amp;#60; 0.0001). 70.24 ± 2.05, at 1st week, and 69.87 ± 1.98. in 3rd and 6th weeks. Preoperatively, mean vertical dystopia of patients was 2.24 ± 0.71. Postoperative resolution of vertical dystopia was statistically significant (P&amp;#60;0.0001), with value of 0.52 ± 0.52.Integrity of ZMC is important in maintenance of normal facial width and prominence of cheek. Two‑point fixation shows satisfactory results functionally, esthetically and also provides additional advantage by eliminating another surgical site. Thus we conclude that our study provides a basis for further research.

Adaptive PF-CZM for multiphysics fracture analysis in functionally graded materials

Functionally graded materials (FGM) hold significant relevance in engineering due to their tailored material property gradation, designed for specific engineering applications. The challenge in fracture analysis of FGM stems from the spatial variation of material properties, which complicates the prediction of crack topology. Local and global refinement strategies are impractical for fracture analysis in FGM due to the unpredictable nature of crack topology, which renders local refinement infeasible. Additionally, global refinement is not advisable as it leads to a significant increase in degrees of freedom, adversely affecting computational efficiency.The novelty of this research lies in the incorporation of spatial variation in both the length scale and material properties, enhancing the realism of FGM domain modeling. To preserve the required length scale, it is necessary to adopt a minimum mesh size, which consequently results in a substantial increase in the degrees of freedom and, thereby, escalates the computational cost. To address these challenges, the study employs an adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm integrated with a phase-field cohesive zone model (PF-CZM), providing a robust solution for accurate fracture analysis in FGM. Based on the ideas stemming from the need for efficient and realistic modeling, the AMR-PF-CZM framework refines the mesh efficiently in regions of crack growth based on crack-driving energy and phase field variable, thereby eliminating the need for pre-refinement. The findings demonstrate a 76%–85% increase in computational efficiency and accuracy of the AMR-PF-CZM approach compared to the non-adaptive PF-CZM. Furthermore, the developed algorithm’s applicability to dynamic fracture and multi-physics problems, specifically addressing mechanical and thermal fracture in FGM, underscores the importance of this approach in capturing complex fracture phenomena.

Numerical simulation of hydraulic fracture propagation from recompletion in refracturing with dynamic stress modeling

Owing to the rapid decline of oil production from tight oil reservoirs after primary hydraulic fracturing treatment on the horizontal well, a refracturing stimulation is proposed for tight oil recovery. In this study, a fully coupled dynamic stress computational method with a finite-element method is presented, and depletion-induced dynamic stress is simulated by coupled numerical modeling. In addition, the extended finite-element method (XFEM) approach is used to investigate the effect of different parameters on fracture dynamic propagation in recompletion from refracturing. The results highlight the effects of production-induced stress changes following hydraulic fracture propagation. When multiple fractures are stimulated simultaneously from recompletion during refracturing, curved fractures are commonly observed, and the deflected fractures generally divert toward the primary stimulated area with low pore pressure. The results indicate that comprehensive factors can affect the hydraulic fractures propagation from recompletion. The optimal refracturing time window can be determined using the dynamic stress condition and stimulated area. The initial completion spacing, initial fracture length, and recompletion perforation cluster spacing can also affect the fracture geometry from the recompletion. A larger initial fracture length can induce a larger stress change area, whereas a larger distance between the new perforations in recompletion and the old perforations can decrease the depletion-induced stress effect. A high horizontal stress contrast can increase the depletion-induced stress effect because a long fracture extends the area. Owing to the nonuniform pressure and stress distributions, more nonuniform fractures are commonly generated in the refracturing treatment. Thus, temporary plugging injection and proppant inertia must be designed while reducing the number of perforations near the initial perforation positions. This can help decrease the possibility of strong curved fractures and screen out problems.

Study of the fracture propagation and the corresponding heat mining performance of multi-branch radial wells geothermal system based on the THM-D coupling model

Due to the multi-well enhanced geothermal systems can significantly improve the heat transfer efficiency and the multi-branch radial well geothermal system can reduce the well construction cost, it is necessary to investigate the fracture propagation and the heat mining performance of the multi-branch radial well geothermal system. Based on the constructed THM-D coupling model, the fracture propagation rules of multi-branch radial wells under the co-function of low-temperature induced thermal stress and radial well induced stress is explored. Then the heat mining prediction study during the heat extraction stage is conducted based on the generated fracture. Furthermore, the influence of radial well characteristic parameters on fracture propagation and the corresponding heat mining performance of multi-branch radial well geothermal system is discussed. The results show that the smaller radial well angle in multi-branch radial well system can generate a larger scope of fracture network between the included angle under the co-function of radial well induced stress and low-temperature induced thermal stress, which will correspond to a larger heat extraction scope in heat mining stage. When the radial well included angle along the direction of maximum horizontal in-situ stress is 120°, the fracture network obtained by fracturing is the most complex. Excessive branching of radial wells can lead to significant induced stress in the plane of radial wells, which will affect the propagation of the fracture network in the direction of longitudinal connection between the doublet wells, thereby affecting the corresponding heat mining performance. With the increase of radial well length, the ability to induce the formation of branching fractures raises, resulting in more complex fracture network. In the heat mining stage of 10-year development, the outlet temperature and heat mining rate respectively increased by 5.83% and 6.9% when the radial well length is 75 m compared to 50 m.