Potential Exploration Areas Research Articles

Study on the Application of Data Mining Technology Based on Support Vector Machine in the Database Management of Oil Exploration and Development

Mineral resources are national industrial base, the mining is difficult, the cycle is long, and if the decision is wrong, it will bring great losses to the state and enterprises. China has abundant mineral resources and a long mining history, and with the advance of industrialization and automation, physical and chemical indicators of each aspect are becoming increasingly sophisticated. However, how to conduct production guidance through the accumulated and ample physical and chemical indicators and to explore the potential value of the data is a major problem that should be solved urgently by researchers and government policy makers. Among a number of physical and chemical indicators, provenance indicator plays an important instructive role in the proved rate of oil exploration and the discovery of potential exploration areas. This paper explores the provenance of physical and chemical indicators based on the intelligent algorithm of support vector machine, determines the provenance distribution through its clustering rate and verifies the higher feasibility of the application of artificial intelligence in the development of oil field.

Multiphase deformation deduced from 3D construction and restoration: Implication for the hydrocarbon exploration in the mountain front of the Northern Tianshan

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and restoration are powerful in describing the geological characteristics and kinematics which cannot be fully accomplished by the two-dimensional modeling methods. In this study, we applied 3D modeling and restoration to the Beisantai anticline along the mountain front of the Northern Tianshan. The Beisantai anticline shows an EW-trending structure in the shallow layers with NS-trending structures in the deep layers. The 3D seismic reflection data visualize the growth strata well, which record the evolution of the anticline and the influence of Cenozoic India-Asian collision. Our results suggest that a combination of multiple deformations of this anticline on different layers developed during different episodes. In addition, multiphase deformation and strain distribution along the eastern part of the northern Tianshan was implied. Combined with an analysis of the burial and hydrocarbon-generating history from borehole data, we proposed new potential exploration areas in this region and multistage tectonic effects for hydrocarbon accumulation. This work not only highlights our understanding of the structural decomposition of a multiphase structure associated with growth strata, but also the structural evolution of the northern Tianshan and the adjacent petroleum-producing Junggar Basin.

Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions

The Cook Islands (CIs) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompasses 1,977,000km2 and includes the Penrhyn and Samoa basins abyssal plains where manganese nodules flourish due to the availability of prolific nucleus material, slow sedimentation rates, and strong bottom currents. A group of CIs nodules was analyzed for mineralogical and chemical composition, which include many critical metals not before analyzed for CIs nodules. These nodules have varying sizes and nuclei material; however all are composed predominantly of δ-MnO2 and X-ray amorphous iron oxyhydroxide. The mineralogy, Fe/Mn ratios, rare earth element contents, and slow growth rates (mean 1.9mm/106years) reflect formation primarily by hydrogenetic precipitation. The paucity of diagenetic input can be explained by low primary productivity at the surface and resultant low organic matter content in seafloor sediment, producing oxic seafloor and sub-seafloor environments. The nodules contain high mean contents of Co (0.41%), Ni (0.38%), Ti (1.20%), and total rare earth elements plus yttrium (REY; 0.167%), and also high contents of Mo, Nb, V, W, and Zr.Compiled data from a series of four cruises by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Mining agency of Japan from 1985 to 2000 were used to generate a map that defines the statistical distribution of nodule abundance throughout the EEZ, except the Manihiki Plateau. The abundance distribution map shows a belt of high nodule abundance (19–45kg/m2) that starts in the southeast corner of the EEZ, runs northwest, and also bifurcates into a SW trending branch. Small, isolated areas contain abundances of nodules of up to 58kg/m2. Six ~20,000km2 areas of particularly high abundance were chosen to represent potential exploration areas, and maps for metal concentration were generated to visualize metal distribution and to extrapolate estimated metal tonnages within the six sites and the EEZ as a whole. Grades for Mn, Cu, and Ni are low in CIs nodules in areas of high abundance; however, Ti, Co, and REY show high contents where nodule abundances are high. Of the six areas identified to represent a range of metal contents, one at the northern end of the N-S abundance main belt optimizes the most metals and would yield the highest dry metric tons for Mn (61,002,292), Ni (1,247,834), Mo (186,166), V (356,247), W (30,215), and Zr (195,323). When compared with the Clarion–Clipperton Zone, the CIs nodules show higher nodule abundances (>25kg/m2 over ~123,844km2), and are more enriched in the green-tech, high-tech, and energy metals Co, Ti, Te, Nb, REY, Pt, and Zr. The CIs EEZ shows a significant resource potential for these critical metals due to their high prices, high demand, and the high nodule abundance, which will allow for a smaller footprint for a 20-year mine site and therefore smaller environmental impact.

The role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition programming in invasion and metastasis: a clinical perspective

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in normal developmental cellular processes, but it may also be co-opted by a subset of cancer cells, to enable them to invade and form metastases at distant sites. Several gene transcription factors regulate EMT, including Snail1, Snail2, Zeb1, Zeb2, and Twist; ongoing studies continue to identify and elucidate other drivers. Specific micro ribonucleic acids (RNAs) have also been found to regulate EMT, including the microRNA-200 (miR-200) family, which targets Zeb1/Zeb2. Cancer “stem cells” – with the ability to self-renew and to regenerate all the cell types within the tumor – have been found to express EMT markers, further implicating both cancer stem cells and EMT with metastasis. Microenvironmental cues, including transforming growth factor-β, can direct EMT tumor metastasis, such as by regulating miR-200 expression. In human tumors, EMT markers and regulators may be expressed in a subset of tumor cells, such as in cells at the invasive front or tumor–microenvironment interface, though certain subtypes of cancer can show widespread mesenchymal-like features. In terms of therapeutic targeting of EMT in patients, potential areas of exploration could include targeting the cancer stem cell subpopulation, as well as microRNA-based therapeutics that reintroduce miR-200. This review will examine evidence for a role of EMT in invasion and metastasis, with the focus being on studies in lung and breast cancers. We also carry out analyses of publicly-available gene expression profiling datasets in order to show how EMT-associated genes appear coordinately expressed across human tumor specimens.

Petroleum geochemistry and oil–oil correlation of the Fahliyan and Surmeh reservoirs in the Garangan and Chilingar oilfields, the Dezful embayment (Sw Iran)

The Dezful embayment located in southwest of Iran is one of the most potential areas for exploration and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the world. There are several source rock units with different geological ages. In this research, the Fahliyan and Surmeh reservoirs from the Garangan and Chilingar Dezful oilfields were studied using geochemical techniques including gas chromatography and carbon and sulfur stable isotope measurements. Carbon preference index of both reservoir oils was around one, indicating mature oil samples. The collected oil from both the fields was paraffinic in nature. Pr/nC17 and Ph/nC18 sand ratio and the plot of δ¹³C (arom) versus δ¹³C (sat), both indicated that a marine reducing environment prevailed during the deposition of their progenitor source rock. The organic matter deposited in this sediment is of kerogen type II (algal). Plot of stable carbon isotope values versus Pr/Ph ratio indicates that both oils originated from the same shaly limestone belonging to Mesozoic. The results of isotopic and geochemical studies show that a single source rock contributed to the oil family found in both fields.

Geographic information system–based fuzzy-logic analysis for petroleum exploration with a case study of northern South America

The petroleum industry is increasingly using geographic information systems (GISs) for mapping and spatial database needs because they are useful for elucidating and exploiting spatial relationships between geologic and geophysical data. However, the petroleum industry, in general, does not exploit the full potential of GIS as an analysis tool. In particular, GIS offers spatial and analytical support for multicriteria evaluation (MCE) methods, which are used to combine data to show areas best fulfilling specific criteria. Petroleum explorations would benefit from an MCE method that is spatial, is flexible for combining heterogeneous data, considers the interpretive nature of the data, is geologically applicable, and is applicable for frontier areas or where little information exists regarding probabilities of the presence of petroleum. This study proposes a GIS-based MCE method for petroleum exploration based on fuzzy logic, which fulfills the previously stated requirements using 16 subcriteria and one constraint combined in tiers to produce a favorability map of potential exploration areas. A case study applied to northern South America, chosen because of its centrality to petroleum exploration, shows potential new exploration areas in the Cretaceous–Paleogene and Miocene–Holocene. The method was validated by comparing the favorability maps of one non–geologic age–specific and of two geologic age–specific favorability maps to known producing fields. We conclude that the method can be applied in an exploration setting and, as such, is applicable for other regions of the world.

Three potential exploration areas of Southern Junggar Basin, NW China: Arguments from structural modeling

Three potential exploration fields of the Southern Junggar Basin are proposed and discussed through seismic structural interpretation and three-dimensional geological modeling based on quantitative structural analysis techniques. The first field comprises Tertiary imbricate wedges in the core of the second anticlinal belt. These small-scale wedges contribute to different properties of oil, gas and water in different parts of the same anticline. The second field consists of deep Mesozoic structures of the Jurassic-Cretaceous fault-bend folds, which are different in sequences and levels from the overlying Tertiary wedges. The third field is composed of the lateral transfer structures mainly in the second anticlinal belt, which are formed by transfer action between adjacent anticlines. Identification of the above three structural types must be based on pertinent seismic deployment and imagery processing. For the exploration of deep structures, a three-dimensional medium model, in which shear module, Lame's constants and density are specified to truly represent mechanical properties of the rock units, must be constructed first to calculate the restoration strains within the model by using the volumetric restoration technique. The strain data can help predict the fracture azimuth, density and intensity of deep reservoirs.

Linking resource-advantage (R-A) theory and service-dominant (S-D) logic: an integrative framework of service innovation research

This paper attempts to connect the literature on resource advantage (RA) theory and service dominant logic (SDL) framework. The argument presented is that resource advantage theory have until recently been understudied in service domain and vice versa. On the basis of the review of literature on both RA theory and SD logic framework, the paper points to service innovation, a new area of exploration for researchers in both the domains using reconciliation of theories. Insights into the integration of the theories and subsequent gaps have been identified. Future directions for study and potential linkages between the two streams are offered. The study connects two different streams of research and offers potential areas of exploration.

The contribution of Plasmodium chabaudi to our understanding of malaria

Malaria kills close to a million people every year, mostly children under the age of five. In the drive towards the development of an effective vaccine and new chemotherapeutic targets for malaria, field-based studies on human malaria infection and laboratory-based studies using animal models of malaria offer complementary opportunities to further our understanding of the mechanisms behind malaria infection and pathology. We outline here the parallels between the Plasmodium chabaudi mouse model of malaria and human malaria. We will highlight the contribution of P. chabaudi to our understanding of malaria in particular, how the immune response in malaria infection is initiated and regulated, its role in pathology, and how immunological memory is maintained. We will also discuss areas where new tools have opened up potential areas of exploration using this invaluable model system.

Combining AHP with GIS for Predictive Cu Porphyry Potential Mapping: A Case Study in Ahar Area (NW, Iran)

Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for multi-index evaluation has special advantages, while the use of geographic information systems (GIS) is suitable for spatial analysis. Combining AHP with GIS provides an effective approach for studies of mineral potential mapping evaluation. Selection of potential areas for exploration is a complex process in which many diverse criteria are to be considered. In this article, AHP and GIS are used for providing potential maps for Cu porphyry mineralization on the basis of criteria derived from geologic, geochemical, and geophysical, and remote sensing data including alteration and faults. Each criterion was evaluated with the aid of AHP and the result mapped by GIS. This approach allows the use of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative information for decision-making. The results of application in this article provide acceptable outcomes for copper porphyry exploration.

Towards understanding the role of emotions in conflict: a review and future directions

PurposeThis paper attempts to connect the literature on conflict and that of emotions. The argument presented is that emotions have until recently been understudied in conflict literature and vice versa. On the basis of the review of literature on both conflict and emotions, the paper points to new areas of exploration for researchers in both domains.Design/methodology/approachA literature review of two separate sub‐fields of study, namely conflict and emotions is provided with the intent of pointing towards gaps in connecting the two streams of research and towards a more holistic understanding of the role of emotions in conflict.FindingsIt is observed that the link between emotions and conflict has received little attention both in the literature on conflict and that of emotions. Insights into the role of emotions at the time of conflict and towards its subsequent resolution are provided. Future directions for study and potential linkages between the two streams are offered.Originality/valueConnects two different streams of research and offers potential areas of exploration.

What Will Keep Today's Teachers Teaching? Looking for a Hook as a New Career Cycle Emerges

Context Drawing from Ingersoll's (2001) study of teacher attrition, Huberman's (1989) study of the professional life cycle of teachers, and recent retention/attrition literature across the professions, this study seeks to make sense of the complexities of cotemporary teachers’ careers in light of changes in social and economic forces, the relationships between political and educational institutions, and the work of teaching over the past 20 years. Study Purpose and Focus The empirical part of this study explores how teachers with 4–6 years’ experience conceive of their career path in education, as well as ways that universities and schools can better partner to increase teacher job satisfaction. It also provides professional development and opportunities for growth as teacher educators, examining any potential benefits to these teachers, their schools, and the interns they work with. Participants and Setting Seven teachers with 4–6 years’ experience in one school district in the Pacific Northwest were selected as participants and mentor teachers. The main research questions were: How do teachers with 4–6 years of teaching conceive of their career path? Does taking on a teacher educator role via hosting an intern impact their long-term career plans? Throughout the 2004–2005 school year, led by the principal investigator (PI), the seven teachers participated in a variety of activities designed to support (and simultaneously study) their development as teachers and teacher educators, including workshops and seminars. Additionally, the PI created a website discussion board so that the teachers could share ideas, experiences, concerns, and questions in between the group meetings. Teachers also participated in two 45-minute individual interviews—once at the beginning, and once at the end of the school year. Research Design and Data Analysis With the retention/attrition literature inside and outside education as a framework, this was an exploratory qualitative study. Data included field notes, website and e-mail artifacts, and interview transcripts. Data analysis began with a list of initial descriptive codes, and then moved toward refining and developing new codes outside the initial list, ultimately linking codes into categories and themes. Analytical memos fostered the development of categories related to teachers’ perceived professional need for greater stimulation in the classroom and beyond. Findings Findings include that teachers with 4-6 years’ experience are searching for roles/activities that are regenerative (keeping them learning and excited about their teaching); and also generative (widening their sphere of influence, sharing their gifts with others in the profession). Further, the mentor teacher role may be uniquely suited to synergistically provide both regenerative and generative opportunities. Conclusions The paper concludes with three potential areas of exploration for both educational practice and research concerned with keeping “good teachers” teaching—merit pay, differentiated jobs, and university-school partnerships.

Bainiuchang super-large silver-polymetallic ore deposit related to granitic magmatism in Mengzi, Yunnan

Bainiuchang silver-polymetallic ore deposit is located in the southeast Yunnan tin-polymetallic metallogenic belt. The probable reserves and inferred resources of the deposit are of 6 470 t Ag and 1.10 Mt Pb and 1.72 Mt Zn and 86 kt Sn. Orebodies of the deposit occur in clastic-carbonate rocks of Tianpeng Formation and Longha Formation of the middle Cambrian System above the Bainiuchang concealed granite of the late Yanshan period. The concealed granite has the characteristics of tin-bearing granites. Abundance of the mineralization elements Sn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag and Sb is high in the granitic rocks. Sulphur isotope data of the metal sulphides indicate that most sulphur is derived from the magmas. The ores are similar in rare earth element(REE) patterns to the granitic rocks. The granitic magma activity results in ore-bearing structures. Rocks of the Middle Cambrian System above the concealed intrusion suffer from skarnization, hornfelsing, marbleization, siliconizing and carbonatization. The mineralization elements Sn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag and Sb successively appear from the top of the granite to surrounding rocks. These evidences indicate that the granitic magmatism is the principal mineralization factor. The opinion that the south Bainiuchang ore field and the north Awei ore block are tin and copper potential exploration areas was put forward and was verified by drilling tests.

Latest advances and topics in fetal echocardiography

Fetal diagnosis and the supporting specialties of perinatology, neonatology, and surgery have made rapid strides in the last decade. Numerous centers are focusing on this multifaceted niche area as the medical field realizes its vast promise and potential. The authors review some of the major advancements in thought and practice in the field of fetal echocardiography while attempting to give a less detailed overview for the less involved perinatologist. First trimester fetal echocardiography has been an area of recent interest as transducer technology improves. As a result, optimum timing of first and subsequent scans and the population profile they are to be applied to have become an issue that begs consensus. Three-dimensional and four-dimensional fetal echocardiography have also received a boost for the same reasons, and both are being studied for feasibility and accuracy. Fetal tissue Doppler and spectral Doppler imaging are potential areas for exploration; the early steps have been taken. Awareness of associated ultrasound markers, such as exaggerated nuchal translucency, as clues to the presence of congenital heart disease is important, even if controversial. The issue of missed prenatal diagnosis is disturbing, especially when it arises against a background of tremendous skill and technologic support. Strategies to minimize mistakes in this critical aspect need to be agreed on by the involved teams and put in place in a multidisciplinary manner if they are to have an important impact.

Weighing the Ways of the Flow: Twentieth Century Language Instruction

A traditional metaphor for changes in language teaching methodologies has been that of a pendulum swinging back or forth. However, this historical review of methodology articles in the MLJ suggests a new, more dynamic, metaphor‐that of a river flowing. We examine first the major mainstream methods discussed in the Journal, showing how they came into being and what caused them, as opposed to other methods, to become so strong. Then we examine other historical and academic factors that caused the methods to divert and divide into several channels. Finally, we suggest potential areas of exploration that might lead to the development of new water sources or the diversion of the current stream into new channels. The new metaphor and historical review of MLJ methodology articles allow us to see how our work has progressed over the years and how it has not just swung like a pendulum between two opposing positions.

Inversion of Reservoir Quality: An Example from the Triassic Buntsandstein, Offshore Netherlands

Sandstones from the Triassic Main Buntsandstein form a major gas reservoir in the Netherlands offshore. The sequence is dominated by siliciclastics deposited in an arid continental setting, and include dune, interdune, sheetsand, and fluvial sandstones. Reduction in reservoir quality is caused primarily by dolomite, halite, and anhydrite cementation, with minor authigenic illite and chlorite. Integration of petrographic and isotopic data has allowed the origins and relative timing of the different cements to be constrained. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of dolomite ([delta][sup 13]C = -3.76 to -9.3%, [delta][sup 18]O = -3 to +2.9% PDB) combined with strontium isotopic data (0.7091 to 0.7109 [sup 86]Sr/[sup 87]Sr) suggest that is precipitated from meteoric groundwater. Halite and anhydrite formed from a mixture of meteoric water and saline fluids expelled from underlying evaporites and claystones. Sulfur isotopic data (+4.2 to +12.1 CDT) support6 this interpretation for the origin of the anhydrite. Precipitation of the major authigenic minerals occurred during early diagenesis, prior to burial depths of 500 m. Cementation and groundwater flow followed the zones of highest permeability and caused an inversion of reservoir quality. Sandstones with the highest depositional porosity and permeability (i.e., dune sandstones) are the most cemented, and have poorermore » reservoir quality compared to the fluvial and interdune sandstones, which originally had lower depositional porosity/permeability. Formation of authigenic illite and chlorite occurred during burial and has significantly reduced permeability. Information on the depositional settings and paleogeography, combined with expected groundwater flow, has helped define potential exploration areas of reduced reservoir quality as a result of extensive early cementation.« less

Regional Analysis of the Lower Mississippian Maccrady Formation of the Central Appalachians: New Evidence for Mississippian Unconformity and Tectonism

The Lower Mississippian Maccrady Formation was the first salt and gypsum deposit to be commercially exploited in the United States. These thick commercial deposits are found in a limited area of southwestern Virginia, although thinner gypsum and anhydrites occur in the Maccrady Formation throughout much of southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia. Thick Maccrady salt and gypsum deposits are the result of local, syndepositional subsidence, a change from humid to arid climate as the North American Plate drifted northward, and a eustatic sea level rise. Regional mapping of the Maccrady Formation and adjacent strata, which incorporated biostratigraphic information, more clearly demonstrates the presence of a regional unconformity at the top of the Maccrady Formation, and establishes the amount of missing strata at the hiatus. Topography on this unconformity is considered to control hydrocarbon accumulation in the overlying Big Lime. Important Appalachian hydrocarbon reservoirs occur immediately above (Big Lime) and below (Big Injun and Weir sands) the Maccrady Formation. Regional mapping indicates that intra-Mississippian tectonics were active before, during, and after Maccrady deposition, resulting in several local to intraregional uplifts in southwestern Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and central West Virginia. The uplifts are thought to be near vertical and basement controlled. Hydrocarbonmore » production and potential exploration areas can be related to these uplifts. A major Mississippian uplifted are along Pine Mountain and as far east as Norton, Virginia, is thought to have been a barrier or sill that restricted normal seawater flow to the east, resulting in Maccrady evaporite deposition.« less

Lectures Scéviennes: L'emblème et les mots (review)

211 foxes and Harry Bailey alike, or pleased to taste the flavour of this make-believe world of the stars. There are excellent illustrations, but the publishers ought to have insisted on an index of personal names as well as the short, though handy, index of terms. As it is, first Progression through these pages is easy. Retrogression, in search of some particular amusing or illuminating comment or quotation, can be tiresome. Alison Hanham Department of History Massey University Marcel Tetel, Lectures Sceviennes: L'embleme et les mots, Paris, Klincksieck, 1983, pp. 173. The emblems contained in Maurice Serve's Delie, even while having the appearance of important divisional markers, have nevertheless eluded the sustained critical analysis that their position seems to warrant. Critics have invariably recognised the need for a consideration of them as an integral part of the total meaning of the sequence of 450 poems which comprise the canzoniere, but few have even begun to make this consideration a central issue of study: the most famous of all Sceve scholars, the late V.-L. Saulnier, recognised the potential areas of exploration that the emblems represent, but ultimately only skirted round the problem, and I.D. McFarlane, the definitive editor of the Delie, points out that the original Privilege made provision for the Delie to be published with or without the emblems, and asserts that it is difficult to give satisfactory answers to such questions as their significance, their placement and whether Sceve devised his own emblems. McFarlane concludes, "The connection between emblem and text is a fluctuating affair, and the series of pictures fit the text rather as a loose cover does a chair. They give the book a pleasant presentation of some of the thematic material, certainly, they also give an impression of external structure and they serve to 'air' the text. They are often highly relevant to specific dizains, and help to condition the reader's response in those cases, but they have a circumscribed role to play, and one must also admit that some of the finest dizains are totally independent of the emblem series". Marcel Tetel's book is more than anything a refutation of this view. It is a semiological study of the sequence in which, as the title suggests, the emblems and their accompanying mottoes are given full weight as progenitors of meaning, pattern and semantic complexity. Tetel sees the emblems acting "globally", providing a necessary sub-text to each neuvaine (each emblem except the final one, no. 50, introduces a set of nine dizains) which articulates the 212 spirit of that neuvaine and which then reverberates throughout the whole sequence, supporting and elaborating on the Delian themes of doubt, anguish, renewal, submission, the will, solitude, work. He stresses the organic unity of each neuvaine in which the emblem is a reductive source and synthesis of the semantic possibilities of the following nine dizains and the signpost towards further semantic richness within the sequence. Rather than leading to obscurity or hermetism, the complexity of the intra- and intertextuality (within the neuvaine and within the sequence) reveals Sceve's firm position within a continuing literary tradition and, more importantly, the extent of his invention, in the sixteenth-century sense outlined by Castor. Tetel's usual method is to begin with a particular emblem, to elaborate on the associative resonances of both the drawing and the motto within the neuvaine, drawing on literary, philosophical, mythological and political sources and on the punning and anagrammatical possibilities within particular words; he then draws a conclusion from this exploration both about the poet's methods and about his poetic concerns, and reinforces the conclusion by reference back to other emblems and their associated neuvaines. The emblems, then, are a means to an exciting and thorough reading of Sceve which stresses the well documented contraries in the Delie: Tetel's separate chapters deal with light in darkness, the bitterness of love, attraction and submission, and the necessity for solitude and therefore absence from the loved one in order to create. Jealousy is, in Tetel's words, une medaille a deux faces, for, without it, the impetus to write would be lacking; success in love would mean the...