Separate Volumes Research Articles

Demulsification of Crude Oil Emulsion in Well X in a Niger Delta Field

Crude oil emulsion is an inevitable phenomenon in hydrocarbon production. Treatment of crude oil emulsion is challenging when the emulsion is stabilized. As crude oil is brought to the surface and pumped to the production facilities, the formation of emulsion increases operating cost. There is a wide array of demulsifiers that are available in the oil and gas industry for the treatment of crude oil emulsion, but one major concern has always been the efficiency of the treatment. No single universal demulsifier can effectively remove emulsion and a combination of two or more is usually expensive. In this study, crude samples were collected from the inlet manifold of a Niger Delta field and bottle tests were conducted with several demulsifiers to select the best chemical demulsifier for use in treating the emulsions as well as the optimum combination. To achieve this objective, twelve different industrial-based demulsifiers were considered which were EXP50, Separol NF-36, Baker-Basf V13-312, Servo CC-8271, Tretolite RP6275, NACCO-Exxon 006-1442, DMO87005, EXP30, AnticorQIT007, AnticorBE027, DMO86634 and DMO81656. It was observed that DMO87005 and AnticorQIT007 produced better results based on separated water volume than other demulsifiers. Hence, the decision to use these demulsifiers to assess their combined potential and the demulsifier factors, namely, concentration, temperature and time effects on the separated water volume using design of experiments (DOE) approach. The results obtained shows that the selected demulsifiers DMO87005 and AnticorQIT007 in a combined form separate more water volume from the crude oil emulsion. Also, the performance of the combined demulsifier is dependent on the combination ratio of the selected demulsifiers. Furthermore, the results depict that the selected (non-combined) demulsifiers and the combined demulsifier factors’ main effects on the separated water volume are concentration, while concentration-time and temperature-time are the factors’ interaction effects for selected and combined demulsifiers, respectively. Again, the magnitude of the main and interaction effects of the combined demulsifier’s factors on the separated water volume is affected by the selected demulsifiers combination ratio. Thus, the combined demulsifier at 0.45mL concentration at a temperature of 90°C for 60 minutes gave a good potential that would necessitate its use for crude oil emulsion treatment in the Niger Delta.

Johnson on Demand: Reviews, Prefaces, and Ghost-Writings ed. by O M Brack, Jr., and Robert DeMaria, Jr.

Reviewed by: Johnson on Demand: Reviews, Prefaces, and Ghost-Writings ed. by O M Brack, Jr., and Robert DeMaria, Jr. Robert G. Walker Johnson on Demand: Reviews, Prefaces, and Ghost-Writings, ed. O M Brack Jr., and Robert DeMaria Jr. New Haven: Yale, 2018. Pp. xl + 632. $125. One of the most famous opening lines in all of literature initiates Johnson's letter to James Macpherson: "I received your foolish and impudent note." To read this "heterogeneous volume," which completes in most ways the Yale edition of Johnson's works that began in 1958, is to notice, among many other things, Johnson's talent in beginning. Here are just a few of my favorites: "It is with a mixture of compassion and indignation, that we condescend to continue the dispute with the authors and publishers of the London Magazine: to be engaged in a contest with such antagonists as it is no honour to overcome, is very disgusting; and what honour can be gained by writing against those who cannot read?" "It is now more than half a century since the Paradise Lost, having broke through the cloud with which the unpopularity of its author for a time obscured it, has attracted the general admiration of mankind, who have endeavoured to compensate the error of their first neglect by lavish praises, and boundless veneration." "Such is the power of interest over almost every mind, that no one is long without arguments to prove any position which is ardently wished to be true, or to justify any measures which are dictated by inclination." And one particularly applicable to contributors and readers of the Scriblerian, "That a certain Degree of reputation is acquired merely by approving the works of genius, and testifying a regard to the memory of the Authors, is a truth too evident to be denied." This publication, volume twenty of the twenty-three volumes of the Yale Johnson but the last to appear, allows well-deserved praise to be given to DeMaria, who took over as general editor of the project with the death of John H. Middendorf in 2007 and, in addition, served as coeditor of several later volumes when it became necessary, including this one. DeMaria's generosity in crediting his deceased coeditor, O M Brack, and other scholars in his notes and introduction is conspicuous but not unusual among Johnsonians, who are notoriously magnanimous. But his industriousness is unparalleled. I was not alone, surely, in thinking that the Yale Johnson would not be completed in my lifetime, and it now has been, at least officially. The editors explain, "we have restricted Johnson's writings for others in the Yale Edition to those works that are wholly or almost wholly by him. A separate volume, apart from the Yale Edition, called Contributions to the Works of Others, is planned." Subsequent references to Contributions throughout this volume suggest that it will contain much of interest. "The protocols of the Yale Edition" keep the text from being a typical scholarly edition, if one could have been fashioned from materials so heterogeneous and multisourced. DeMaria carefully explains each time he deviates from the protocols, always applying common sense, and he leaves little doubt that we have here the best text likely ever to be produced of this largely journalistic material. Moreover, his explanatory notes expand [End Page 195] considerably Yale's original annotation for the general reader—a largely mythical creature often spoken of but rarely seen. This is not a variorum edition but quite close. The pieces are arranged chronologically, not generically, with exceptions made on occasion to allow the tranching of related material that extends over time; for example, "Occasional Writing for Charlotte Lennox," "Writings for Giuseppe Baretti," and "Writings for Charles Burney." Rarely does one get the sense that material is included merely for the sake of inclusiveness, although few will find compelling his "Political Writing for Henry Thrale." One value of this edition is its ability to give all parts of a topic. For example, there are three Johnsonian reactions to Hanway's Journal of Eight Days Journey … [and] an essay on tea (1756), all published in the Literary Magazine: first, a short notice of a...

PolySafe: A Formally Verified Algorithm for Conflict Detection on a Polynomial Airspace

Abstract This paper presents a strategy for verifying that an aircraft following a polynomial path complies with a given set of safety criteria in continuous time. Such criteria ensure that a minimal separation between the aircraft and a set of obstacles, which can be either static or dynamic, is maintained. Dynamic obstacles are also assumed to follow a known polynomial path. Dynamic obstacles may, for example, correspond to a separation volume around another flying aircraft. In the most general case, the separation criteria vary in time depending upon the position and relative velocity between the aircraft and the obstacle. The efficiency and scalability of the proposed algorithm, to be called PolySafe, make it suitable for real-time conflict detection and path re-planning of aircraft flying in a complex and crowded airspace. PolySafe has been formally verified to guarantee the detection of conflicts within a finite time horizon.

СОЦІОІСТОРИЧНА ПРОБЛЕМАТИКА В РАДЯНСЬКІЙ АРХЕОЛОГІЇ 1940–1960-х РОКІВ: ВІД ЦІЛЬОВИХ ЗАВДАНЬ ДО ПРАКТИЧНОЇ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ

The article is dedicated to the main aim of the Soviet archaeology, which was also its feature – to study social development of ancient societies basing on archaeological sources. It was stated at the beginning of 1930s and after the WW2 a list of actual tasks was specified. In the late 1940’s – the early 1970’s they included studying of regularities and features of ancient (from primitive to feudal) societies development, reconstruction of concrete history of folks from the USSR territory, which had no written language, researches on handicrafts, swap and trade, studies of the mediaeval village history, examination of primitive society ideology, improvement of the typological method and archaeological theory, preparation of fundamental publications. All these tasks were practically realized in work of archaeological research institutions during above mentioned period, in particular, research fellows of central and republican archaeological research establishments worked on topics related to study of social and historical problems of ancient societies basing on archaeological data. As well these problems were discussed at methodological workshops of the Institute of archaeology AS USSR and its Leningrad branch, at All-Union meetings and conferences. Soviet archaeologists completed resumptive archaeological publications with historical conclusions and chapters or even separate volumes of fundamental books dedicated to history of particular folks, regions or periods in the 1950’s – the early 1970’s. This work on social and historical problematique determined Soviet archaeologists’ requirement for methodology development which was a cause of appearance of a new subdiscipline. The Soviet theoretical archaeology institutionalized in the early 1970s.

ВІТЧИЗНЯНІ СТУДІЇ УКРАЇНСЬКО-ПОЛЬСЬКИХ ЛІТЕРАТУРНИХ ЗВ’ЯЗКІВ І ТИПОЛОГІЇ (2000–2019)

The article considers monographs, dissertations and collections on various topics related to Ukrainian-Polish literary comparative studies that appeared in independent Ukraine 2000–2019. The author considers Ukrainian-Polish literary relations and typological aspects of the 19th – the beginning of the 21st centuries: from the era of pre-romanticism and romanticism, then to positivism and hence to modernism and postmodernism. These are primarily works focused on the «Ukrainian school» in Polish Romanticism (R. Radyshevskyi, Ye. Nakhlik, M. Bratska, I. Rudenko), dedicated to Juliusz Słowacki’s creative connections with Ukraine, and P. Kulish’s dialogue with Poland (Ye. Nakhlik), Józef Ignacy Kraszewski’s dialogue with Ukraine (R. Radyshevskyi). The 2000s in Ukrainian-Polish comparative literary criticism were marked by a revival of attention to various aspects in the field of Taras Shevchenko study. Worth mentioning a fundamental edition in three books «Reception of Taras Shevchenko’s Creativity in Poland» (2015) by R. Radyszewskyi, a selection of «Shevchenkiana by Teoktyst Pachovskyi» with R. Radyshevskyi’s introduction «Polish reception of Taras Shevchenko creative heritage in the works by Teoktyst Pachovskyi», published in the book «Kyiv Polonistic Studies» (2014. Vol. XXIV); moreover articles by O. Astafiev, Ye. Nakhlik, R. Kharchuk in periodicals, scientific collections and six-volume «Taras Shevchenko’s Encyclopedia» (2012, 2013, 2015). The author of the paper offers his own experience of typological and contactgenetic analysis of Taras Shevchenko’s works (the monograph «Fate – Los – Destiny: Taras Shevchenko and Polish and Russian Romantics», 2003). Some aspects of Ivan Franko’s studies in Ukrainian-Polish comparative literature are covered in a separate volume of «Kyiv Polonistic Studies» – «Ivan Franko and Polish Culture» (2017. Vol. XXIX), in V. Durkalevych’s monograph «In Searching for Narrative Identity: The Individual Myth in the Works of Ivan Franko, Andrzej Chciuk and Bruno Schulz» (2015), partly in the books of V. Korniichuk «“Like the Organs in the Grand Temple ...”. Contexts and Intertexts of Ivan Franko» (Comparative Studies)» (2007) and Ye. Nakhlik «Bends of Ivan Franko’s Spirit. Worldview. Ideology. Literature» (2019). In the 2010s, the investigation of Ukrainian-Polish literary bilingualism of the 19th century was revived thanks to the book by Ye. Nakhlik «Creativity of Juliusz Słowacki and Ukraine. Problems of Ukrainian-Polish Literary Comparative Studies» (2010), articles-personalities by Yevhen and Oksana Nakhlik in the first volume of «Ivan Franko Encyclopedia» (2016), due to separate editions of works by Leo Węgliński (2011) and Tymko Padurra (2012) compiled with the accompanying articles by R. Radyshevskyi and his colleagues. Models of Polish positivism in nineteenth century Ukrainian literature were also studied (B. Honcharenko). Typological parallels between the «Bohdan Khmelnytskyi» trilogy by M. Starytskyi and the novel «With Fire and Sword» by Henryk Sienkiewicz were traced (V. Martsenishko). Attention was paid on the Ukrainian reception and typology of small prose by Eliza Orzeszkowa (I. Spatar), the literary works of S. Wyspiański (M. Medytska), S. Przybyszewski (T. Tkachuk). The objects of the studies were also V. Stefanyk’s connections with Polish modernism (S. Yamborko), Ukrainian-Polish aspects of the «Lviv» and «Kharkiv» texts by L. Staff (E. Tsykhovska), models of catastrophism in Ukrainian and Polish prose of the interwar twentieth century (O. Harlan), vision of Ukraine in works by Jerzy Stempowski and Józef Łobodowski (O. Vozniuk). On the examples of J. Iwaszkiewicz, L. Buczkowski, R. Wernik, V. Odojewski, A. Chciuk, M. Szofer the biographical preconditions and evolution of the image of the borderland in the prose of J. Iwaszkiewicz of the interwar period and artistic ethnocultural models of literature of the Polish Ukrainian borderlands of the twentieth century are investigated (author of both researches O. Sukhomlynov). Olesia Nakhlik found out the perception and adaptation in Ukraine of artistic and essay prose of Polish writers A. Bobkowski, T. Borowski, G. Herling-Grudziński, W. Gombrowicz, T. Konwicki, Cz. Miłosz, A. Stasiuk. And I. Kropyvko comprehended Ukrainian and Polish postmodern prose of the late twentieth – beginning of the XXIst centuries in aspects of carnival, fragmentation and frontier (as manifestations of transgression) and using the comparative-typological method. Due to these studies, Ukrainian-Polish comparative literary criticism took a prominent place among national comparative studies.

Thermal Conductivity of Superfluid ^3He-B in a Tubular Channel Down to 0.1T_mathrm{c} at the ^{4}He Crystallization Pressure

We studied the thermal conductivity of superfluid ^{3}He in a 2.5-mm effective diameter and 0.15-m-long channel connecting the two volumes of our experimental assembly. The main volume contained pure solid ^{4}He, pure liquid ^{3}He and saturated liquid ^{3}He–^{4}He mixture at varying proportions, while the separate heat-exchanger volume housed sinter and was filled by liquid ^{3}He. The system was cooled externally by a copper nuclear demagnetization stage, and, as an option, internally by the adiabatic melting of solid ^{4}He in the main volume. The counterflow effect of superfluid just below the transition temperature T_mathrm{c} resulted in the highest observed conductivity about five times larger than that of the normal fluid at the T_mathrm{c}. Once the hydrodynamic contribution had practically vanished below 0.5T_mathrm{c}, we first observed almost constant conductivity nearly equal to the normal fluid value at the T_mathrm{c}. Finally, below about 0.3T_mathrm{c}, the conductivity rapidly falls off toward lower temperatures.

Dynamic microstructural changes in alveolar bone in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes bone resorption. This study used a ligature-induced experimental periodontitis model to observe the kinetic process of microstructural changes in alveolar bone and introduced star volume analysis as a new methodology to assess microstructural changes. Thirty Wistar rats were used. To induce experimental periodontitis, ligatures were placed around the maxillary first molar. Rats were euthanized on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after ligature placement. In addition to using hematoxylin and eosin staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)/alkaline phosphatase (ALP) double staining, and micro-computed tomography were performed to analyze bone remodeling. From day 0 to day 7 (initiation phase), the model showed predominant inflammation with increased numbers of TRAP-positive cells, while ALP expression decreased. In contrast, from day 14 to day 28 (resolution phase), inflammatory cells and TRAP-positive cells decreased, whereas ALP expression recovered to levels comparable to that on day 0. Regarding microstructure parameters, in the initiation phase, bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, trabecular thickness, and star volume of the trabeculae decreased significantly, whereas trabecular separation and star volume of the marrow space increased significantly, indicating bone resorption. In the resolution phase, microstructure parameters normalized, indicated bone formation. We confirmed dynamic alveolar bone remodeling in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. Furthermore, we assessed the potential for using star volume analysis as a sensitive new tool to clarify microstructural changes to alveolar bone in this model.

Multiscale composite model of fiber-reinforced tissues with direct representation of sub-tissue properties

In many fiber-reinforced tissues, collagen fibers are embedded within a glycosaminoglycan-rich extrafibrillar matrix. Knowledge of the structure–function relationship between the sub-tissue properties and bulk tissue mechanics is important for understanding tissue failure mechanics and developing biological repair strategies. Difficulties in directly measuring sub-tissue properties led to a growing interest in employing finite element modeling approaches. However, most models are homogeneous and are therefore not sufficient for investigating multiscale tissue mechanics, such as stress distributions between sub-tissue structures. To address this limitation, we developed a structure-based model informed by the native annulus fibrosus structure, where fibers and the matrix were described as distinct materials occupying separate volumes. A multiscale framework was applied such that the model was calibrated at the sub-tissue scale using single-lamellar uniaxial mechanical test data, while validated at the bulk scale by predicting tissue multiaxial mechanics for uniaxial tension, biaxial tension, and simple shear (13 cases). Structure-based model validation results were compared to experimental observations and homogeneous models. While homogeneous models only accurately predicted bulk tissue mechanics for one case, structure-based models accurately predicted bulk tissue mechanics for 12 of 13 cases, demonstrating accuracy and robustness. Additionally, six of eight structure-based model parameters were directly linked to tissue physical properties, further broadening its future applicability. In conclusion, the structure-based model provides a powerful multiscale modeling approach for simultaneously investigating the structure–function relationship at the sub-tissue and bulk tissue scale, which is important for studying multiscale tissue mechanics with degeneration, disease, or injury.

Statin effect on coronary calcium distribution, mass and volume scores and associations with immune activation among HIV+ persons on antiretroviral therapy.

Inflammation has been associated with whole heart coronary artery calcification (CAC) among people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART); however, prior studies have not evaluated the distribution of calcium or separated mass versus volume scores, which are differentially associated with clinical events in the general population. Statins may also have a greater effect on CAC mass compared with volume. 147 PWH were randomized 1:1 to rosuvastatin 10 mg or placebo and followed for 96 weeks. We re-analysed coronary calcium scans from 0, 48 and 96 weeks to determine mass and volume scores and measures of CAC diffusivity. Mixed effects models and generalized estimating equations were used to examine longitudinal associations of CAC with treatment and biomarkers. Median age at study entry was 46 years; 78% were male and 68% African American. Median CD4+ was 613 and half were on protease inhibitors. Randomization to statin therapy was not associated with a change in mass score, volume score, number of involved vessels or diffusivity index (all P>0.1). Soluble CD14 was associated with the presence of CAC (P=0.05) and borderline associated with number of involved vessels (P=0.07) across all three time points. In PWH on ART, moderate intensity rosuvastatin does not appear to have a significant effect on volume, mass or regional distribution of CAC over 96 weeks. We extend previous cross-sectional observations to show that soluble CD14 is associated with whole heart CAC over time and independently of age and systolic blood pressure.

An interview with Jerry Harvey, inventor of the In-Ear-Monitor ∼ born of Rock Stars!

While this is not a traditional academic presentation, it is an informal and open discussion with the inventor of the In-Ear-Monitor (IEM), by an untrained acoustician Jerry Harvey, out of the request to save the hearing of legendary Rock Star Alex Van Halen. In 1995, Harvey began tinkering and looking for components to solve the problem; in Japan, he found tiny electrical components; and in the United States, he found a tiny speaker designed for a pacemaker. He created a tiny in-ear speaker system that connected to a small receiver on Alex's belt via thin cables. The receiver then picked up the wireless signal from Harvey's mixing board. The in-ear monitors had two small speakers to separate output volume into low and high frequencies for bass and treble, and they fit into shells that were impressions of Alex's ears. The IEMs also blocked out ambient noise, and according to Alex Van Halen, “It was like night and day.” Today IEMs are widely used by musicians, audio engineers, audiophiles, and television presenters in order to receive vocal instructions, from a producer that only the presenter hears. The IEM market is expected to reach close to $1 Billion by 2024.

Formulation of Demulsifying Agent for Water in Oil Emulsion Treatment

The production of crude oil along with water has been a primary problem in the petroleum industry . In this work, an emulsion breaking chemical (LFD) was formulated from locally sourced materials and experimentally compared with an imported commercially available demulsifier (sulphuric acid) to determine its effectiveness in crude emulsion resolution. Materials used are Castor oil, locally made liquid soap, Camphor, Alum, Cassava Starch and distilled water. It was tested on a crude oil emulsion sample from the Niger Delta field at a temperature of 85 o f, under the same experimental condition with the imported commercially available demulsifier (sulphuric acid) as the control. The percentage volume of water separated by the locally formulated demulsifier (LFD) was 93.33% while the separated percentage volume of water by commercially available demulsifier (sulphuric acid) was 69.33%. This clearly showed that the locally formulated demulsifier had a better performance in terms of emulsion resolution than the commercially available imported demulsifier (sulphuric acid).

A New Approach to the Potential Energy of Solids

A general theory is developed to investigate the expression for potential energy without using (i) empirical results and (ii) process of parameterizing. The simple approach of thermodynamics is adopted to obtain the expressions for the interaction energy of solids in terms of interatomic separation and crystal volume. The new findings have been applied to obtain the expressions for bulk modulus and pressure. The variation of the potential energy function, which provides a means to understand the stability of a crystal has been found in excellent agreements to the earlier results. The use of obtained harmonic and anharmonic force constants may be of much help to understand the dynamical behavior of solids with special reference to the many-body theories.

Machine learning for semi-automated classification of glioblastoma, brain metastasis and central nervous system lymphoma using magnetic resonance advanced imaging.

Differentiating glioblastoma, brain metastasis, and central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can present a diagnostic dilemma due to the potential for overlapping imaging features. We investigate whether machine learning evaluation of multimodal MRI can reliably differentiate these entities. Preoperative brain MRI including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE), and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion in patients with glioblastoma, lymphoma, or metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. Perfusion maps (rCBV, rCBF), permeability maps (K-trans, Kep, Vp, Ve), ADC, T1C+ and T2/FLAIR images were coregistered and two separate volumes of interest (VOIs) were obtained from the enhancing tumor and non-enhancing T2 hyperintense (NET2) regions. The tumor volumes obtained from these VOIs were utilized for supervised training of support vector classifier (SVC) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) models. Validation of the trained models was performed on unlabeled cases using the leave-one-subject-out method. Head-to-head and multiclass models were created. Accuracies of the multiclass models were compared against two human interpreters reviewing conventional and diffusion-weighted MR images. Twenty-six patients enrolled with histopathologically-proven glioblastoma (n=9), metastasis (n=9), and CNS lymphoma (n=8) were included. The trained multiclass ML models discriminated the three pathologic classes with a maximum accuracy of 69.2% accuracy (18 out of 26; kappa 0.540, P=0.01) using an MLP trained with the VpNET2 tumor volumes. Human readers achieved 65.4% (17 out of 26) and 80.8% (21 out of 26) accuracies, respectively. Using the MLP VpNET2 model as a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) for cases in which the human reviewers disagreed with each other on the diagnosis resulted in correct diagnoses in 5 (19.2%) additional cases. Our trained multiclass MLP using VpNET2 can differentiate glioblastoma, brain metastasis, and CNS lymphoma with modest diagnostic accuracy and provides approximately 19% increase in diagnostic yield when added to routine human interpretation.

Estimating Young's modulus of graphene/polymer composites using stochastic multi-scale modeling

A stochastic multi-scale approach is developed for predicting elastic properties of graphene/polymer nanocomposites. All scales of nano, micro, meso and macro are travelled through a bottom-up approach using appropriate method at each scale. For each scale, separate representative volume element (RVE) is defined capturing effective parameters of that scale. Categorized under the hierarchical multi-scale modeling, the outputs of each scale are fed into the next upper scale as input data. Semi-continuum modeling is performed at the nano and micro scales, while micromechanical model is adapted for the upper scales of meso and macro. The developed modeling is implemented stochastically to address the randomness in graphene size, volume fraction, orientation, wrinkle and also formation of agglomerated particles. Therefore, stochastic multi-scale modeling is conducted accounting for process-induced uncertainties. Results show a very good agreement with experimental data available on open literature. The novelty of this research is twofold: (1) Developing of a full-range multi-scale modeling for graphene reinforced polymers starting from nano-scale and lasting to the uppermost scale of macro, (2) Full stochastic implementation of developed modeling accounting for non-deterministic parameters induced during processing graphene reinforced polymer.

Divided-volume matching technique for volume displacement estimation of patient positioning in radiation therapy

PurposeWe propose the Divided-Volume Matching (DVM) technique to visualize and estimate three-dimensional (3D) displacements of internal structures to enable more accurate patient positioning for radiation therapy. MethodsA CT volume is divided into a volume of interest (VOI) and a base volume (BV); 2D-3D matching is achieved using digital radiography (DR) images and digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs), where the DRRs are iteratively generated by changing the 3D positions and rotation angles of the separate volumes independently to identify the best match with the DR images. We demonstrate this technique with two phantom and two clinical cases. Results3D displacements of the VOIs could be estimated independently and simultaneously with those of the BVs, with accuracies comparable to those of the conventional 2D-3D matching. The proposed technique yielded more suitable matching results when internal displacements occurred in the regions of interest (ROIs). The best matches were found when the ROI was confined to the focused structure, initial displacement values were coarsely adjusted, one volume was matched while the other was fixed, or any combination thereof. ConclusionsThe proposed technique can be used effectively for independent displacement estimations of VOIs and BVs for patient positioning in radiation therapy.

The effect of Radiation on Thermal conductivity of Nano-Structured PANI/Bi2Te3 Composites.

Nano-structured Bi2Te3, Polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/ Bi2Te3 were synthesized by Solvothermal method. The crystallite size, Strain, inter-chain separation and unit cell volume were calculated from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results by using Win fit and Unit cell software. The Gamma irradiation (γ-rays) with dose 50 KGy affects the peaks positions for the PANI samples whereas; it affects the intensity of Bi2Te3 samples. Thermal conductivity measurements were investigated from the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) with respect to Indium (In) melting temperature curve. 50 KGy dose does not show a remarkable change in the PANI and PANI/ Bi2Te3 values on contrast the value of Bi2Te3 sample was reduced.

The effect of pH on the ability of different lignins to stabilize the oil-in-water emulsion

The ability of aspen soda and wheat straw soda lignin to stabilize the “rapeseed oilin-water” (O/W) emulsion, depending on the pH value and concentration of the applied water solutions as well as on the lignin chemical composition and molecular mass, and the sizes and zeta potential of lignin particles was studied. It was shown that the O/W emulsion stabilized with the alkaline water solutions of wheat straw lignin demonstrated the highest stability in alkaline medium, while the ability of aspen soda lignin to prevent the coalescence of oil droplets manifested itself in a whole range of the studied pH values. With decreasing pH values of the wheat straw lignin water solution, the drop in the separation volume of the O/W emulsion was insignificant with the exception for the lignin enhanced concentrations in acidic medium. The aggregative stability of the O/W emulsion, which was stabilized with aspen soda lignin, increased with decreasing pH values and increasing lignin content in the emulsion. The findings indicated that the stabilization of the O/W emulsion with the alkaline lignin solutions proceeded via the electrostatic stabilization mechanism, while in the neutral and acidic medium, this mechanism was more complicated, with a growing role of the ability of lignin to form interfacial polymeric films at the liquid/liquid interface. The comparison of the stability of the O/W emulsion showed that aspen soda lignin was a better stabilizer of the O/W emulsion than wheat straw lignin.

Imaging the source of high-harmonics generated in atomic gas media.

We report the application of the time gated ion microscopy technique in accessing online the position of the source of harmonics generated in atomic gas media. This is achieved by mapping the spatial extreme-ultraviolet (XUV)-intensity distribution of the harmonic source onto a spatial ion distribution, produced in a separate focal volume of the generated XUV beam through single photon ionization of atoms. It is found that the position of the harmonic source depends on the relative position of the harmonic generation gas medium and the focus of the driving infrared (IR) beam. In particular, by translating the gas medium with respect to the IR beam focus different "virtual" source positions are obtained online. Access to such online source positioning allows better control and provides increased possibilities in experiments where selection of electron trajectory is important. The present study gives also access to quantitative information which is connected to the divergence, the coherence properties and the photon flux of the harmonics. Finally, it constitutes a precise direct method for providing complementary experimental info to different attosecond metrology techniques.

Coronary Calcium Characteristics as Predictors of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Symptomatic Patients: Insights From the CORE 320 Multinational Study.

BackgroundThe predictive value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been widely studied; however, little is known about specific characteristics of CAC that are most predictive. We aimed to determine the independent associations of Agatston score, CAC volume, CAC area, CAC mass, and CAC density score with major adverse cardiac events in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.Methods and ResultsA total of 379 symptomatic participants, aged 45 to 85 years, referred for invasive coronary angiography, who underwent coronary calcium scanning and computed tomography angiography as part of the CORE320 (Combined Noninvasive Coronary Angiography and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 320 Detector Computed Tomography) study, were included. Agatston score, CAC volume, area, mass, and density were computed on noncontrast images. Stenosis measurements were made on contrast‐enhanced images. The primary outcome of 2‐year major adverse cardiac events (30 revascularizations [>182 days of index catheterization], 5 myocardial infarctions, 1 cardiac death, 9 hospitalizations, and 1 arrhythmia) occurred in 32 patients (8.4%). Associations were estimated using multivariable proportional means models. Median age was 62 (interquartile range, 56–68) years, 34% were women, and 56% were white. In separate models, the Agatston, volume, and density scores were all significantly associated with higher risk of major adverse cardiac events after adjustment for age, sex, race, and statin use; density was the strongest predictor in all CAC models. CAC density did not provide incremental value over Agatston score after adjustment for diameter stenosis, age, sex, and race.ConclusionsIn symptomatic patients, CAC density was the strongest independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events among CAC scores, but it did not provide incremental value beyond the Agatston score after adjustment for diameter stenosis.

Investigation of flattened torque converter performance at low speed ratio

This study is aimed to investigate flow phenomena in a torque converter by CFD analysis. The converter performance was compared between different shape converters; traditional circular torus and flattened torus. Influence of aspect ratio on these converter characteristics was discussed. Converter flattening should be needed for requirement of size reduction to mount other drive components on the space. In the flattened torus, drastic flow separation near the core region just downstream the turbine element was easily occurred. The separation volume decreases with increase of the converter speed ratio. Suppression of the separation is useful for converter performance improvement especially in low speed ratio condition. Flattening causes three-dimensional complex flow patterns and its suppression and control is important.