Water Injection Research Articles

Abstract 4571: Combination of FOLFIRI (5-FU, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan) and ProAgio on colon cancer growth and metastasis

Abstract Background/Objective: One of the common mechanisms of resistance of solid tumors, including colon cancers, is activation of integrins on endothelial cells (ECs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). ProAgio is a small molecule developed to target integrin alpha V beta 3 (αvβ3), located on surface of abnormal ECs and CAFs. ProAgio enhances apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis via targeting αvβ3. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the ProAgio combination with FOLFIRI on the immune profile and tumor growth of colon cancer. Material and Methods: Female BALB/CJ and male NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) mice were acquired from the Jackson Laboratory, and experiments were performed under the approval of The University of Alabama at Birmingham-Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. For orthotropic tumor efficacy studies, BALB/CJ mice were injected with 2×105 CT-26 wild type and CT26.CL25 cells in 30ul 1:1 Matrigel Matrix and PBS into the Cecum. PDX (10mg) was orthotopically implanted into the NSG mice cecum. At Day five, mice were divided into four treatment groups: including 1) sterile water (vehicle), 2) ProAgio (15mg/kg; IP; once daily for nine days), 3) FOLFIRI (5-FU: 30mg/kg; Leucovorin 50mg/kg; Irinotecan; 20mg/kg - once every three days intraperitoneal) or 4) combination of ProAgio and FOLFIRI. The study completed on day 15, tumor weight was noted, and tumors were processed for histology and flow cytometry. Results: ProAgio plus FOLFIRI significantly (p<0.001) reduced tumor weight in both models compared to individual treatments and vehicles. Combination-treated mice showed a significant (p<0.001) reduction in T-cell exhaustion (CD8+ T cells that are positive for PD-1, TIM-3, and CTLA-4). Analysis of the myeloid compartment showed a significant (p<0.001) increase in the M1 macrophages that express F4/80 as well as CD86, MHC-II and a decrease in the M2 macrophage in the mice treated with ProAgio plus FOLFIRI. The combination therapy exhibited a significant (p<0.001) increase in the dendritic cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. Histology analysis showed that ProAgio treatment reduced the incidence of organ site metastasis (disseminated and locoregional spread) such as liver, pancreas, and diaphragm. Conclusion: Our study offers encouraging observations that ProAgio plus FOLFIRI can suppress colon cancer growth and metastasis by inhibiting αvβ3 preclinically and may provide a novel therapeutic combination for the management of colon cancers. Citation Format: Purnachandra Nagaraju Ganji, Jeremy B. Foote, Madhu Sudhana Saddala, Falguni Mishra, Sujith Sarvesh, Midhun Malla, Ashiq Masood, Zhi-Ren Liu, Bassel F. El-Rayes. Combination of FOLFIRI (5-FU, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan) and ProAgio on colon cancer growth and metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4571.

Evaluating silicosis risk: Assessing dust constitution and influence of water as a primary prevention measure in cutting and polishing of silica agglomerates, granite and marble

An increasing number of silicosis cases have been reported related to the use of silica agglomerates. Many studies agree on the severity of this disease, which often presents with severe clinical forms in young workers and after a short latency period.Are there differences in the composition of dust generated by cutting and polishing with silica agglomerates versus granite and marble? Does the use of water injection reduce the risk associated with the use of these materials?We carried out a comparative observational-analytical study, measuring the concentration of dust generated during different machining operations on three different materials: granite, marble, and silica agglomerates. The effect of water injection on dust generation was evaluated.Personal sampling pumps were used, connected to a cyclone with polyvinyl chloride filters. The flow rate of the pumps was adjusted using a piston flowmeter. Measurements with a cascade impactor were made to assess the size distribution of respirable crystalline silica particles within the respirable fraction. In addition, environmental measurements with a spectrometer were made.10 tests were carried out on granite and silica agglomerates for each procedure. In the case of marble, with very low silica content, only 2 tests of each type were carried out. Duration of each measurement was between 6 and 25 min. Cleaning times were set for each of the operations.The amount of dust collected in the respirable fraction was 70.85, 32.50 and 35.78 mg/m3 for dry cutting; 6.50, 3.75 and 3.95 mg/m3 for wet cutting; and 21.35, 13.68 and 17.50 mg/m3 for dry polishing, for granite, marble, and silica agglomerates respectively.Dry procedures in marble, silica agglomerates and granite showed higher dust concentration of particles smaller than 0.5 μm. Silica agglomerates showed higher concentrations of respirable crystalline silica particles than granite and marble, mainly with dry procedures. The greater production of small particles in dry and wet procedures with silica agglomerates shows that water injection is an insufficient preventive measure.

ნინოწმინდის გაზნავთობიანი ბუდობის დამუშავება პროდუქტიულ ფენაზე ჰიდროდინამიკური ზემოქმედების მეთოდებით

Ninotsminda oil-and-gas bearing deposit connected with the fractured-cavernous reservoirs of the Middle Eocene volcanogenic-sedimentary suite is in its final, 4th stage of development (operates since 1979). Its energy potential is determined by water drive and gas drive regimes. The main of the prevailing issues is the rapid pace and the scale of production becoming water-cut. Productive suite, that is mainly built with tuff, is anisotropic due to numerous parameters. Respectively, intervals and sections with high and low-filtration properties are identified in the geological cross-section. In addition, the producer well coverage is not dense enough and undeveloped oil-bearing zones (lenses) remain in the spaces between the wells. All of the above indicates that the field is unevenly developed, and certain oil reserves are remaining there. In the period of 2000-2006 and since 2015 the methods of horizontal well drilling and injection of technical water into the productive layer were applied to increase the oil recovery factor. In the result, production (oil and gas) noticeably increased. Application of the complex hydrodynamic methods in the future will enable us to significantly increase the remaining oil production from the stratigraphically lower, water-cut horizons of the productive suite.

Efficacy of Native Bacillus thuringiensis against Mosquito Vector.

Larval source management is an effective measure to control mosquito-borne diseases. Bacillus thuringiensis produces specific insecticidal crystal proteins toxic to mosquito larvae. In many parts of the South East Asian region, Bacillus thuringiensis is used for larval source management. In Nepal, larvicidal Bacillus thuringiensis is not available. The study aims to isolate larvicidal Bacillus thuringiensis from soil samples of Nepal to control mosquitoes. Native Bacillus thuringiensis was obtained from soil samples by the acetate selection method. It was identified by observing crystal protein with Coomassie Brilliant Blue stain in a light microscope. The mosquito larvae were collected from different breeding habitats. A preliminary bioassay was performed by inoculating three loopful of 48 hours culture of spherical crystal protein producing Bacillus thuringiensis in a plastic cup containing 25 larvae and 100 ml of sterile distilled water. The cup was incubated at room temperature for 24 hours to observe the mortality of larvae. Further selective bioassay was performed with the isolate which showed 100% mortality, as described above in four replicates along with the negative and positive control. Out of 1385 Bacillus thuringiensis obtained from 454 soil samples, 766 (55.30%) were spherical crystal protein producers, among them, a single strain (14P2A) showed 100% mortality against mosquito larvae. The lethal concentration doses required to kill 50% and 90% of the larval population were 32.35 and 46.77 Parts per million respectively. The native Bacillus thuringiensis produces the crystal protein effective in killing mosquito larvae. The native Bacillus thuringiensis should be included as a tool to control mosquito-borne diseases in Nepal.

New laminar flame speed correlation for lean mixtures of hydrogen combustion with water addition under high pressure conditions

Hydrogen may become a substitute for liquid fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reductions in internal combustion engines. Numerical simulations play a critical role in the advancement of these engines, with laminar flame speed being the main input. Experimental data of hydrogen flame speed at elevated pressures are scarce, due to the instability of the flames. Nonetheless, stable hydrogen flames can be predicted using chemical kinetics models. Moreover, the injection of water into the hydrogen fuelled engine could offer several benefits to engine combustion and emission performance, as it modulates the laminar flame speed within the combustion chamber and this effect has not been completely understood. Currently, no correlation exists to predict the laminar flame speed of hydrogen-air combustion with water addition under lean mixture engine operating conditions. In this study, we have extended the newly developed laminar flame speed correlation of hydrogen-air combustion to account for the effects of water addition under engine relevant conditions by using chemical kinetic laminar flame speed values. The laminar flame speed correlation was derived for pressures from 10 to 70 bar, temperatures from 400 to 800 K, equivalence ratios from 0.35 to 1 and water addition by mole from 0 to 20%. The hydrogen laminar flame speed correlation was expressed using polynomial forms with reduced order and number of terms with optimized values of coefficients. Additionally, a new exponential term was proposed to the power term α of the laminar flame speed correlation to capture the coupled effects of pressure and temperature on laminar flame speeds under engine-relevant lean burn water-diluted operating conditions.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum siamense on Machilus thunbergii Siebold & Zucc. in South Korea.

Machilus thunbergii Siebold & Zucc., known as Japanese bay tree, is an evergreen tree distributed widely in East Asia, including South Korea, where the species is of ecological importance. Machilus thunbergii provides habitat for wildlife species and is a common urban tree. In September 2022, anthracnose symptoms on leaves were observed in Jeju (33°26'02.4"N, 126°19'48.8"E) and Tongyeong (34°49'27.1"N, 128°24'01.8"E) in South Korea. Disease incidence on leaves of each affected tree, naturally growing in an urban forest area covering approximately 0.5 ha was approximately ~ 70 % in each study area. Anthracnose symptoms that were observed on 70 to 80% leaves per tree in each study area included orbicular or irregular, whitish-grey spots on leaves that were 1.5 to 3.0 cm in diam. In some cases where leaves were severely affected, larger blotches were formed, leading to bleaching symptoms and eventually defoliation. For pathogen isolation, two or three leaves showing anthracnose symptoms from each of the 15 trees were randomly selected and brought to the laboratory. Fungal isolations were then directly made by transferring spores from acervuli that developed on diseased leaves onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Cushion shaped acervuli filled with salmon to orange-colored conidial masses were produced on media approximately two weeks after the incubation at 25 ± 1°C with a photoperiod of 12 h. Conidia were single celled, hyaline, cylindrical with rounded ends, smooth walls, 13.7 to 18.1 μm long and 3.1 to 4.5 μm wide (n=30). Among 15 cultures that were successfully isolated, 10 isolates were retained based on culture characteristics, and two randomly selected monoconidial cultures were deposited in the culture collection (CDH) of the Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea (Accession No. CDH057-58). Two isolates selected, CDH057 and CDH058, were subjected to identification, and this was achieved based on multiplesequence comparisons using on internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA (ITS1 and ITS2), partial sequences of actin (ACT) and β-tubulin (TUB2) gene regions amplified using ITS1F / ITS4, ACT-512F / ACT-783R and T1 / Bt2b, respectively (Weir et al. 2012). The representative sequence data were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers OR473277 and OR473278 for the ITS, OR480772 and OR480773 for ACT, and OR480774 and OR480775 for TUB2. The resulting sequences were further used for a phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum likelihood method using a concatenated dataset of the ITS, ACT and TUB2 gene sequences for Colletotrichum species in the C. gloeosporioides clade. The results showed that the pathogen isolated in this study clustered with Colletotrichum siamense (Vouchered specimens: MFLU 090230, COUFPI291, and COUFPI294) (Prihastuti et al. 2009). Sequence comparisons revealed that the isolates obtained in this study differed from the type species of C. siamense (MFLU 090230; FJ972613 for ITS, FJ 907423 for ACT, FJ907438 for TUB2) at 2 of 258 bp (∼0.8%) and 6 of 387 bp (∼1.6%) in the ACT and TUB2 sequences, respectively, while the ITS was identical to the type species. For pathogenicity tests, a total of ten three-year-old seedlings of M. thunbergii were used. The leaves of each tree were sprayed with 5 ml of conidial suspension (105 conidia/ml, isolate CDH057). Three control plants were sprayed with sterile water. After being sprayed, treated areas were sealed with a plastic bag for 24 hours to preserve humidity. Anthracnose symptoms, identical to those observed in the field, appeared five to seven days after the inoculations, while no symptoms were observed on control plants. The isolates used in the pathogenicity test were reisolated from 90% of lesions, and their identity was confirmed based on sequence comparisons, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Species of the C. gloeosporioides species complex include important plant pathogens, particularly C. siamense, which cause significant losses of economic and ecological relevance on a wide range of hosts (~ 100 hosts) (Talhinhas and Baroncelli 2021). Although C. fioriniae in the C. acutatum species complex, was found on M. thunbergii in South Korea (Thao et al. 2023), anthracnose associated with C. siamense on M. thunbergii has not been reported in the country. In this regard, this is the first report of anthracnose caused by C. siamense on M. thunbergii in South Korea. To effectively control the disease, more attention should be paid on the host range of the pathogen and other regions where the disease caused by the pathogen might occur in the country.

Evaluation of compatibility between formation and Injection water into the Reservoir Rock

Scale deposition represents a critical challenge encountered in water injection systems. The objective of this study is to assess the compatibility between the candidate smart water and the formation water in an oil reservoir rock sample. To achieve this, water samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the extent of deposit formation under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Additionally, the study also examined the combined influence of temperature and pressure on deposit formation. The results indicated that as the temperature increased, there was a decrease in the concentration of sulfate in the seawater. Taking into account the low concentration of barium (zero) in seawater and the unchanged strontium concentration, the decrease in sulfate concentration can be attributed to the deposition of calcium sulfate. Contrarily, in various ratios of smart water, the sulfate concentration has shown an increase with rising temperatures. This can be attributed to the transformation of sulfite present in the formation water into sulfate due to the influence of temperature. The presence of a low concentration of barium in the formation water resulted in insignificant changes in sulfate concentration due to the precipitation of barium sulfate. Additionally, despite the high concentration of strontium, strontium sulfate deposition did not occur, possibly due to the solubility product constant. The analysis of different smart water ratios under various pressures at ambient temperature revealed that pressure had a minimal effect on the solubility of sulfate and calcium salts. During the sediment analysis, no evidence of strontium sulfate sediment formation was observed. However, the analysis indicated a high possibility of iron sulfide and iron oxide deposits forming. Ultimately, under the experimental conditions, significant sediment formation was not observed.

MAAP code analysis for the in-vessel phase of Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 and comparison of the results among Units 1 to 3

The accident progression of the in-vessel phase of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 was analyzed using the MAAP code. Although there is a large uncertainty in the initial stage of accident progression behavior in Unit 1 with little measurement data, it is presumed to have similarities to that of Unit 3. As a result, in Unit 1, since there was almost no alternative water injection during the in-vessel phase, cooling of the debris transferred to the lower plenum was small. It was likely that a large molten pool of metals had formed, and that the steam supply to the high-temperature core materials was suppressed and metal oxidation was relatively small. The analysis results for Unit 1 were compared with those for Units 2 and 3, and differences between units such as the thermal conditions of the debris that relocated to the pedestal and the degree of metal oxidation were shown.

Experimental study of sizes and velocities of the droplets produced by water injection system with compressed-air atomizer into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine applying the optic methods

Experimental study of sizes and velocities of the droplets produced by water injection system with compressed-air atomizer into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine applying the optic methods

First report of Fusarium commune Causing Bulb Rot on Lily (Lilium brownii var. Viridulum Baker) in Hunan Province of China.

Lily (Lilium brownii var. Viridulum Baker) is a well-known edible plant with large, white and sweet bulb scales that has important medicinal value (Zhou et al. 2021) and is grown mainly in the Hebei, Shanxi and Henan provinces of China. In May 2021, a case of bulb rot was discovered in a 3.33 hm2 plantation in Huaihua, Hunan Province, affecting 20% of the area (27°59'30″N, 110°32'20″E). The disease is most severe during the rainy season in May and June. In the early stage, irregular brown spots appeared on the lily scales, the necrosis was depressed and gradually enlarges, and in the later stage, the scales were scattered from the base of the disc and slough off. Ten samples were taken randomly from different plants in the plantation area to isolate the pathogens. After washing with sterile water, they were cut into small pieces and sterilised with 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 s, 75% ethanol for 90 s, rinsed three times with sterile water and dried on sterile filter paper, then placed on a water agar plate and incubated in the dark in a constant temperature incubator at 28℃ for 3 to 5 days. After 2 days, the mycelium at the edge of the colony was transferred to a PDA plate and incubated for 3-5 days at 28°C in the dark to obtain pure fungal isolates. Eighteen purified fungal isolates were obtained, of which sixteen looked like Fusarium (88.9% isolation rate) and three representative isolates (BHBR2, BHBR3 and BHBR5) were selected for further study. The surface of this fungus was white with dense aerial mycelium. Some had an orange centre in the medium. Microconidia were oval in shape and appeared either straight or slightly curved. These microconidia were colourless, had 0-1 septa and measured 3.334 to 14.724 × 2.216 to 5.385 μm (n=100). Macroconidia were predominantly three-septate, crescent-shaped structures that were thin-walled and slightly curved. Cells at the apex and base were similarly curved. Macroconidia measured 17.956 to 32.150 × 2.788 to 4.492 μm (n=100). The mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes were amplified and sequenced using the NMS1/NMS2 and TEF-R/TEF-F primers to verify the identity of the pathogens (Stewart et al. 2006). The sequences were submitted to GenBank (BHBR2: mtSSU, PP273435; TEF, OR900976; BHBR3: mtSSU, PP277729; TEF, OR900977; BHBR5: mtSSU, PP277728; TEF, OR900978). A concatenated phylogenetic tree of the two genes was constructed and analysis showed that BHBR2, BHBR3 and BHBR5 were significantly clustered with Fusarium commune. Based on the results of morphological identification and phylogenetic tree analysis, the three isolates were identified as Fusarium commune. We carried out pathogenicity tests using two methods, one in which 6 × 6 mm fungal blocks were inoculated on lily (L. brownie var. viridulum Baker) scales and controls inoculated with sterile blocks, and the other in which strain BHBR2 was selected to carry out pathogenicity tests on bulbs of live plants soaked with 50 ml of a 1 × 106 conidial suspension and bulbs of control plants soaked with sterile water, all in three replicates. They were placed in a growth chamber at 28°C and 80% relative humidity, and the scales were moistened with moistened sterile filter paper. After 3 days of rearing treated scales, lesions appeared on lily scales inoculated with mycelial blocks and expanded with time, whereas no lesions appeared on lily scales inoculated with sterile blocks. One month later, whole plants soaked in the spore suspension wilted, while the control plants grew well. The pathogens re-isolated from the diseased tissues had the same morphological characteristics as representative isolates. This confirms Koch's hypothesis. Fusarium commune has been shown to be the most important pathogenic fungus causing root rot in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (Yang et al. 2022) and blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) (Li et al. 2023) in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium commune causing lily bulb rot in the world, which will lay the foundation for future control of lily bulb rot.

An Ethane-Based CSI Process and Two Types of Flooding Process as a Hybrid Method for Enhancing Heavy Oil Recovery

Combining multiple secondary oil recovery (SOR)/enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods can be an effective way to maximize oil recovery from heavy oil reservoirs; however, previous studies typically focus on single methods. In order to optimize the combined process of ethane-based cyclic solvent injection (CSI) and water/nanoparticle-solution flooding, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of injection pressure, water, and nanoparticles on CSI performance is crucial. This study aims to provide such understanding through experimental evaluation, advancing the knowledge of EOR methods for heavy oil recovery. Three approaches (an ethane-based CSI process, water flooding, and nanoparticle-solution flooding) were applied through a cylindrical sandpack model with a length of 95.0 cm and a diameter of 3.8 cm. Test 1 conducted an ethane-based CSI process only. Test 2 conducted a combination approach of CSI–water flooding–CSI–nanoparticle-solution flooding–CSI. Specifically, the injection pressure of the first CSI phase in Test 2 was gradually increased from 3500 to 5500 kPa. The second and the third CSI phases had the same injection pressure as Test 1 at 5500 kPa. The CSI process ceased once the oil recovery was less than 0.5% of the original oil in place (OOIP) in a single cycle. Results show that the ethane-based CSI process is sensitive to injection pressure. A high injection pressure is crucial for optimal oil recovery. The first CSI phase in Test 2, where the injection pressure was increased gradually, resulted in a 2.9% lower oil recovery and five times as much ethane consumption compared to Test 1, which applied a high injection pressure. It was also found that water flooding improved the oil recovery in the CSI process. In Test 2, the oil recovery factor of the second CSI phase increased by 57% after the water flooding process, which is likely due to the formation of water channels and a dispersed oil phase that increased the contact area between ethane and oil. Although the nanoparticle-solution flooding only had 0.3% oil recovery, after that the third CSI phase stimulated another 10.8% of OOIP even when the water saturation achieved more than 65%. This demonstrated that the addition of nanoparticles can maintain the stability of the foam and enhance the transfer of ethane to the heavy oil. Finally, Test 2 reached a total oil recovery factor of 76.1% on a lab scale, an increase of 45% compared to the single EOR method, which proved the combination process is an efficient method to develop a heavy oil field.

Influence of various gases and water vapors on the processes of tritium release from two-phase lithium ceramics

The processes of tritium generation and release in lithium-ceramic breeder blankets are affected by many factors, for example, the presence of impurities in the purge gas. As was shown earlier, oxygen, water vapor and hydrogen have the greatest influence on gas release from lithium ceramics. Hydrogen is planned to be specifically added to the purge gas mixture in breeder blanket to facilitate tritium release.The paper presents data of reactor experiments on irradiation of two-phase lithium ceramics (65 mol% Li4SiO4 /35 mol% Li2TiO3) under conditions of supplying various gases and water vapor into the chamber with samples.We analyzed the sections of experiments in which sequential, step-by-step injection of water, oxygen, hydrogen and deuterium vapors into a continuously pumped chamber with samples at steady-state quasi-equilibrium release of tritium from ceramics was carried out. Using a mass spectrometer, the gas composition in the chamber and, in particular, the release features of tritium-containing molecules, were recorded. Based on the obtained data, the mechanisms of tritium interaction with the investigated gases and water vapor on the ceramic surface were determined, as well as their influence on the processes of tritium release from ceramics.

Step-rate-test as one of the strategies for managing formation water injection. Design and monitoring

The construction of a produced water management (PWM) system relies on a Step-rate-test strategy that integrates a novel technology for treating the bottomhole formation zone and adjacent fractures resulting from prior hydraulic fracturing. Step-rate-test technology is considered more environmentally friendly than hydraulic fracturing for several reasons. It doesn't require crosslinkers or proppants, and there is no discharge of liquids or other reagents onto the terrain or into water basins. This article discusses technical approaches to solving field service problems in injection wells. One of the strategies for managing produced water injection is Step-rate-test, which is considered the best choice in these operations. This strategy can also be used to solve the problem of disposing of excess fluid or waste after hydraulic fracturing. Advances in modelling, operation, monitoring, and evaluation provide the basis for minimising costs and preserving the environment. The connection between the object of work and the engineering works is established through quality targets and pumping requirements. Field example, such as Tevlinsko-Russkinskoye and Yuzhno-Yagunskoye, and results of data mining of them, demonstrate the significant impact of data differences on site selection. Field data indicates that injectivity decreases in matrix injection structures despite the injection of prepared fluid. It is acceptable to inject the fluid without prior preparation, provided that there is no well pad pump station, pipe end phase divider or similar equipment. The majority of rock structures become fractured during fluid injection, which affects the selection of technical equipment for the process. This article evaluates the propagation of fractures during the injection of prepared and unprepared fluids and their impact on well performance.

Molecular simulation of the effect of anionic surfactant on methane diffusion in coal

Coal seam water injection is one of the important means of coal mine disaster prevention and control, which helps to reduce gas concentration. Anionic surfactants can change the hydrophilicity of coal to enhance the wetting effect of coal seam water injection and inhibit the diffusion of methane. However, the research on the effect of surfactants on the diffusion process of methane is still relatively weak. In order to explore the influence mechanism of anionic surfactant on coal surface wettability and methane diffusion from a microscopic point of view. Using wiser coal model and two commonly used anionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the surfactant/water interface configuration, water/coal contact angle configuration and coal seam methane diffusion configuration were constructed. The interfacial stability of surfactant and water was discussed, and the wetting modification effect of surfactant on coal surface and the law of gas diffusion were analyzed. Finally, by studying the microscopic properties of each molecule in the simulation system, the adsorption mode of surfactants, the hydrophilicity of polar groups, the number of hydrogen bonds and the change of the pore volume in the coal seam system were analyzed, and the wetting modification mechanism of surfactants on coal surface and the inhibition effect of methane diffusion were discussed. The results show that with the increase of surfactant concentration, the interface formation energy is constantly enhanced, and the absolute value of electrostatic energy gradually increases, making the effect between surfactant and water stronger. The contact angle of coal surface under the action of SDS surfactant is the smallest, which is 36.230°, indicating that SDS surfactant has the best effect on the wettability of coal surface. The amount of methane diffusion in the surfactant action system decreased significantly compared with the pure water system, and the distribution of methane in the coal seam increased, indicating that the interaction between methane and coal is enhanced under the action of surfactant. With the increase of surfactant concentration, surfactant molecules are easier to spread on the surface of coal seam, and the wettability of coal surface increases. The research results can provide some research ideas and reference significance for anionic surfactants in the prevention and control of coal mine gas disasters.

Synergistic effect of surfactants and nanoparticles on the wettability of coal: An experimental and simulation study

Injecting surfactants into coal seams is an effective means to improve coal wettability. Previous studies have shown that nanofluids provided excellent drag reduction and wetting. Therefore, this manuscript investigates the synergies of AOS (Sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate)-modified SiO2 nanofluid on the wettability of coal. Contact angle experiments were performed to examine the effects of deionized water on the wettability of coal treated with different solutions. The results demonstrated that 0.01 wt% nanofluid containing with 0.2 wt% AOS as the significantly increased the wettability. At the micro level, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to analyze the relative concentration distribution and MSD (mean square displacement) of water molecules in different systems. The simulation outcomes revealed that water molecules formed the thickest adsorption layer, and the diffusion range was more expansive, in the H2O/AOS-modified SiO2/Coal system. This was attributed to the amphiphilic structure of AOS-modified SiO2, which bent and folded on the coal surface, where hydrophobic sites were masked and hydrophilic sites were increased. Therefore, water molecules were attracted to the coal, the potential for collision was increased, and the wettability of the coal was enhanced. These findings provide a crucial foundation for modifying nanoparticles with surfactants and using them in coal seam water injection.

Experimental Study on Carbon Dioxide Displacement by Coal Seam Water Injection.

Using water to displace carbon dioxide adsorbed in coal can prevent coal and gas outbursts. However, the mechanism of continuous water injection replacing adsorbed gases in coal has not been well studied. An experiment with the same water injection pressure and different adsorption equilibrium pressures for displacing carbon dioxide was conducted. The variation patterns of the amount of displaced carbon dioxide, time, and water displacement rate, displacement ratio, and water action ratio were analyzed. The modes of water injection displacing carbon dioxide are discussed. The results show that the change in the amount of displaced carbon dioxide consists of three stages: rapid, slow, and stop growth stages. For the same displacement time, as the adsorption equilibrium pressure rises, more carbon dioxide is displaced. The time displacement rate and water displacement rate can be divided into three stages: rising, peak, and dropping stages. As the adsorption equilibrium pressure increases, the duration of the peak stage decreases, while the time and water displacement rates increase. At different adsorption equilibrium pressures, the carbon dioxide displacement ratio ranged from 45% to 54%, less than the natural desorption ratio. But the water action ratio containing the gas dissolution amount was close to or greater than the natural desorption ratio. Thus, the displacement effect of flowing water accelerated the desorption of carbon dioxide in coal. The modes of carbon dioxide displacement by water injection include water-displacement, gas-dissolution displacement, and gas-diffusion-dissolution displacement. The findings of this study provide novel suggestions for preventing and controlling coal and gas outbursts.

Study on Micro-Pressure Drive in the KKM Low-Permeability Reservoir

Kazakhstan has abundant resources of low-permeability oil reservoirs, among which the KKM low-permeability oil reservoir has geological reserves of 3844 × 104 t and a determined recoverable reserve of 1670 × 104 t. However, the water flooding efficiency is only 68%, and the recovery efficiency is as low as 32%. The development of the reservoir faces challenges such as water injection difficulties and low oil production from wells. In order to further improve the oil recovery rate of this reservoir, our team developed micro-pressure-driven development technology based on pressure-driven techniques by integrating theories of fluid mechanics and artificial intelligence. We also combined this with subsequent artificial lift schemes, resulting in a complete set of micro-pressure-driven process technology. The predicted results indicate that after implementing micro-pressure-driven techniques, a single well group in the KKM oilfield can achieve a daily oil production increase of 32.08 t, demonstrating a good development effect.

Interactions between halotolerant nitrogen-fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under saline stress.

Soil salinity negatively affects crop development. Halotolerant nitrogen-fixing bacteria (HNFB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential microorganisms that enhance crop nutrient availability and salt tolerance in saline soils. Studying the impact of HNFB on AMF communities and using HNFB in biofertilizers can help in selecting the optimal HNFB-AMF combinations to improve crop productivity in saline soils. We established three experimental groups comprising apple plants treated with low-nitrogen (0 mg N/kg, N0), normal-nitrogen (200 mg N/kg, N1), and high-nitrogen (300 mg N/kg, N2) fertilizer under salt stress without bacteria (CK, with the addition of 1,500 mL sterile water +2 g sterile diatomite), or with bacteria [BIO, with the addition of 1,500 mL sterile water +2 g mixed bacterial preparation (including Bacillus subtilis HG-15 and Bacillus velezensis JC-K3)]. HNFB inoculation significantly increased microbial biomass and the relative abundance of beta-glucosidase-related genes in the rhizosphere soil under identical nitrogen application levels (p < 0.05). High-nitrogen treatment significantly reduced AMF diversity and the relative abundance of beta-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, and urea-related genes. A two-way analysis of variance showed that combined nitrogen application and HNFB treatment could significantly affect soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere AMF abundance (p < 0.05). Specifically, HNFB application resulted in a significantly higher relative abundance of Glomus-MO-G17-VTX00114 compared to that in the CK group at equal nitrogen levels. The impact of HNFB on the AMF community in apple rhizospheres is influenced by soil nitrogen levels. The study reveals how varying nitrogen levels mediate the relationship between exogenous HNFB, soil properties, and rhizosphere microbes.

Modelling physical controls on mine water heat storage systems

The use of abandoned mines as a heat source and store has been receiving increased attention as a renewable heat source and storage solution in the transition away from traditional gas heating. The hydraulic, thermal and geomechanical processes governing heat storage and extraction are complex and understanding these processes is critical to safe heat extraction and injection into mine water systems. This paper outlines the development of a fully coupled thermo-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) 2D model to understand the mechanical stability of room and pillar workings during heat injection and extraction. It was found that the cyclical injection and extraction of heat does have an impact on both the modelled displacements and mechanical stability of the system. The impact risk reduces with temperature and the operational processes (e.g. injection temperature and water level) have more of an impact than the underlying geological conditions. These results are significant and could be included in a regulatory system to reduce the likelihood of stability impacts in mine water heating and cooling schemes. Thematic collection: This article is part of the The Earth as a thermal battery: future directions in subsurface thermal energy storage systems collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/thermal-energy

Korean red ginseng extract prevents bone loss in an oral model of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in mice.

The gut microbiota and barrier function play important roles in bone health. We previously demonstrated that chronic glucocorticoid (GC)-induced bone loss in mice is associated with significant shifts in gut microbiota composition and impaired gut barrier function. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG, Panax Ginseng Meyer, Araliaceae) extract has been shown to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) in a subcutaneous pellet model in mice, but its effect on gut microbiota and barrier function in this context is not known. The overall goal of this study was to test the effect of KRG extract in a clinically relevant, oral model of GIO and further investigate its role in modulating the gut-bone axis. Growing male mice (CD-1, 8weeks) were treated with 75μg/mL corticosterone (∼9mg/kg/day) or 0.4% ethanol vehicle in the drinking water for 4weeks. During this 4-week period, mice were treated daily with 500mg/kg/day KRG extract dissolved in sterile water or an equal amount of sterile water via oral gastric gavage. After 4weeks of treatment, we assessed bone volume, microbiota composition, gut barrier integrity, and immune cells in the bone marrow (BM) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). 4weeks of oral GC treatment caused significant distal femur trabecular bone loss, and this was associated with changes in gut microbiota composition, impaired gut barrier function and altered immune cell composition. Importantly, KRG extract prevented distal femur trabecular bone loss and caused significant alterations in gut microbiota composition but had only modest effects on gut barrier function and immune cell populations. Taken together, these results demonstrate that KRG extract significantly modulates the gut microbiota-bone axis and prevents glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in mice.