Technical Countermeasures Research Articles

Influence of facetectomy, cross-link augmentation, and interbody procedure on progression of bone fusion in single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion using the long cortical bone trajectory technique.

When using the cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique, two technical countermeasures are recommended to promote bone fusion: taking a long CBT screw path directed more anteriorly and improving the stability of the spinal construct by facet joint preservation, cross-link augmentation, and rigid anterior interbody reconstruction. However, there has been no report on how these surgical procedures, which are heavily dependent on the surgeon's preference, contribute to successful bone fusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the progression of lumbar spinal fusion using the long CBT technique and identify factors contributing to the time taken to achieve bone fusion, with a particular focus on the involvement of surgical procedures. A total of 167 consecutive patients with L4 degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4-5 using the long CBT technique were included (mean follow-up 42.8 months). Bone fusion was assessed to identify factors contributing to the time to achieve bone fusion. Investigated factors were 1) age, 2) sex, 3) BMI, 4) bone mineral density, 5) intervertebral mobility, 6) screw depth in the vertebra, 7) extent of facetectomy, 8) cross-link augmentation, 9) cage material, 10) cage design, 11) number of cages, and 12) contact area of cages with the vertebral endplate. The bone fusion rate was 89.2% at 2 years postoperatively and 95.8% at the last follow-up, with a mean period to bone fusion of 16.6 ± 9.6 months. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age (standardized regression coefficient [β] = 0.25, p = 0.002), female sex (β = -0.22, p = 0.004), and BMI (β = 0.15, p = 0.045) were significant independent factors affecting the time to achieve bone fusion. There was no significant effect of surgical procedures (p ≥ 0.364). This is the first study to investigate the progression of lumbar spinal fusion using the long CBT technique and identify factors contributing to the time taken to achieve bone fusion. Patient factors such as age, sex, and BMI affected the progression of bone fusion, and surgical factors had only weak effects.

Reservoir damage mechanism and “Double protection” drilling fluid of tight sandstone gas reservoir in central SiChuan Basin

It is very important to clarify the reservoir damage characteristics and damage characteristics and damage mechanism of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in Jinhua-Zhongtai mountain area of central SiChuan Basin, and put forward the technical countermeasures of “Double protection” drilling fluid to protect the reservoir and the environment, which is very important for the efficient well construction in this area. Through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, casting thin sections and other testing methods, the mineral composition and microstructure characteristics of the block were analyzed, and the potential damage factors of the reservoir were clarified. Based on the sensitivity evaluation, it was revealed that the overall sensitivity damage of the block was weak. The main damage type was salt-sensitive damage, and the critical salinity was 9472.5 mg/L. On the basis of the environmental protection drilling fluid system used in this block, the surfactant which can effectively prevent gas invasion and reduce surface tension is selected, and the “Double protection” drilling fluid system is constructed. Through comprehensive performance test and reservoir protection performance evaluation, the core permeability damage rate of the optimized drilling fluid system is reduced from 88.77 to 18.66%, and the cuttings recovery rate is increased to more than 66%, and the cuttings expansion rate is reduced to less than 3.2%, which can effectively solve the problem of reservoir damage in drilling in Jinhua-Zhongtai mountain block in central Sichuan.

Statistical Analysis and Control of Influencing Factors of PM2.5 in Xuzhou

Coal has been an important industry pillar in Xuzhou since ancient times. With the rapid economic growth of the whole country after the reform and opening up, Xuzhou is not willing to lag behind in developing its own industrial economy, but behind the rapid economic development. However, a large amount of pollution emissions seriously damage the environment. Especially in recent years, the data of pm2.5 has gradually entered people's eyes, which makes us realize that the air environment in Xuzhou is already very bad, and it is urgent to protect the local environment. In this paper, a multivariate linear regression model is established by collecting the pm2.5 data from 2009 to 2017 and six related factors affecting the air environment in Xuzhou City, and the specific relationship between them and pm2.5 is analyzed. On this basis, the pm2.5 governance policy, human and technical countermeasures. According to the actual situation of Xuzhou and the experiences of other regions and developed countries, the corresponding countermeasures and reasonable suggestions are put forward.

Simulation and Control Strategies for Longitudinal Propagation of Acid Fracture in a Low-Permeability Reservoir Containing Bottom Water

The reservoir in the Anyue gas field, located in the Sichuan basin of China, belongs to the second member of the Dengying formation and has distinctive geological features. It is characterized by strong heterogeneity, low porosity, low permeability, and locally developed natural fractures. The reservoir space consists primarily of corrosion holes, natural fractures, and similar voids. Moreover, the lower reservoir exhibits high water saturation and a homogeneous bottom-water interface. Since it is a carbonate-based hydrocarbon reservoir with low porosity and permeability, deep acid fracturing has proven to be an efficient method for enhancing individual well production. However, the reconstruction of the second member of the Dengying formation reservoir poses significant challenges. The reservoir contains high-angle natural fractures, small vertical stress differences, and is located in close proximity to the gas–water interface. As a result, it becomes difficult to control the height of the acid break. Improper acid break treatment may easily result in water production affecting gas well production. To explore ways to control the longitudinal extension of acid fractures, 3D numerical models focusing on the initiation and expansion of acid fractures have been developed. This model takes into account geological and engineering factors such as stress differences, acid fracture displacements and scales, and their effects on the longitudinal extension of acid fractures. It was revealed that the pressure difference is the main controlling factor for the acid fracture height, followed by the reservoir thickness, the interlayer thickness, and the viscosity of the working fluid. Technical countermeasures for controlled fracture and high-acid fracturing tailored to different reservoir characteristics have been proposed, and design parameters for controlled fracture and high-acid fracturing can be optimized. By effectively controlling the vertical extension of the acid fracture, it is possible to maximize production from a single well while avoiding interference from the lower water layer. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of deep-acid-fracturing techniques in low-permeability bottom-water gas reservoirs.

Advancing PetroChina’s Development Strategies for Low-Permeability Oil Reservoirs

Based on PetroChina’s status and situation of low-permeability oil reservoir development, this paper analyzes the key common issues in the production capacity construction of new oilfields, the stable production of old oilfields, and enhanced oil recovery, and, in connection with the progress made in major development technologies and the results of major development tests for low-permeability oil reservoirs in recent years, puts forward the technical countermeasures and development directions. For optimizing the development of low-grade reserves, a comprehensive life-cycle development plan is essential, alongside experimenting with gas injection and energy supplementation in new fields. Addressing challenges in reservoir classification, multidisciplinary sweet spot prediction, and displacement–imbibition processes can significantly boost well productivity. In fine water flooding reservoirs, the focus should shift to resolving key technological challenges like dynamic heterogeneity characterization, and functional and nano-intelligent water flooding. For EOR, accelerating the application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) advancements, along with air injection thermal miscible flooding, and middle-phase microemulsion flooding, is crucial. This approach aims to substantially enhance recovery and establish a new model of integrated secondary and tertiary recovery methods.

Research on geophysical response analysis and prediction technology of geostress in the shale gas area of the southern Sichuan Basin

The exploration and development potential of shale gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin is enormous; however, it also faces difficulties such as complex structures, strong heterogeneity, and unclear geophysical response characteristics. Fine prediction of geostress is an important part of shale gas exploration and development, which directly affects the implementation effect of reservoir evaluation, well trajectory design, and fracture reconstruction. The existing geostress prediction techniques lack high-precision seismic data constraints, making it difficult to accurately reflect the planar distribution characteristics of geostress in the block with rapid changes in complex tectonic zones. At the same time, the geophysical response characteristics of geostress in the Sichuan Basin are unknown, and the geostress seismic prediction technology lacks theoretical basis. This paper combines numerical simulation and physical experiments and defines the characteristics of the geophysical response of shale gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin changing with the stress field, and technical countermeasures for geostress seismic prediction have been established to provide technical means for accurate prediction of the geostress field in the shale gas block. Based on the geostress sensitive parameters obtained from prestack seismic inversion, the geostress field prediction of a shale gas work area in the Sichuan Basin is realized.

大庆长垣扶余油层致密油低产井控制因素分析及增产技术对策

大庆长垣扶余油层致密油低产井控制因素分析及增产技术对策

Torrential Hazards’ Mitigation Measures in a Typical Alpine Catchment in Slovenia

Different sediment-related disasters due to torrential hazards, such as flash floods, debris flows, and landslides, can occur in an Alpine torrential catchment. When protecting infrastructure and human lives, different structural and non-structural protection measures can be used to mitigate permanent and future risks. An overview of the mitigation measures constructed near the Krvavec ski resort in northwest Slovenia (Central Europe) is presented. In May 2018, an extreme debris flood occurred in this area, causing significant economic damage. After the May 2018 event, different field investigations (i.e., geological and topographic surveys) and modeling applications (e.g., hydrological modeling, debris flow) have been conducted with the purpose of preparing the required input data for the design of protection measures against such disasters in future—due to climate change, more disasters are expected to happen in this torrential watershed. The mitigation includes the restoration of local streams, the construction of a large slit check dam for sediment retention, the construction of several smaller check dams and the construction of 16 flexible net barriers with an estimated ~8000 m3 retention volume for controlling in-channel erosion in steep torrential streams. Additionally, in order to observe and monitor potential future extreme events, an extensive monitoring system has been established in the investigated area. This monitoring system will cover measurements of flexible net corrosion, the estimation of concrete abrasion at check dams, periodical geodetic surveys using small drones (UAV), hydro-meteorological measurements using rainfall gauges and water level sensors. The recent extreme floods of August 2023 also hit this part of Slovenia, and this combination of technical countermeasures withstood the event and prevented large amounts of coarse debris from being transported to the downstream section and devastating infrastructure, as was the case in May 2018 during a less extreme event. Therefore, such mitigation measures can also be used in other torrential catchments in the Alpine environment.

Integral Effects of Porosity, Permeability, and Wettability on Oil–Water Displacement in Low-Permeability Sandstone Reservoirs—Insights from X-ray CT-Monitored Core Flooding Experiments

Porosity, permeability, and wettability are crucial factors that affect the oil–water displacement process in reservoirs. Under subsurface conditions, the integral effects of these factors are extremely difficult to document. In this paper, waterflooding experiments were carried out using a core flooding system monitored with X-ray dual-energy CT. The mesoscale, three-dimensional characteristics of water displacing oil were obtained in real time. The integral effects of porosity, permeability, and wettability on the waterflooding in the low-permeability sandstone reservoirs were investigated. It was found that if the reservoir rock is water-wet, then the residual oil saturation decreases gradually with increasing porosity and permeability, showing an increasing waterflooding efficiency. On the contrary, if the reservoir rock is oil-wet, the residual oil saturation gradually increases with improving porosity and permeability, showing a decreasing waterflooding efficiency. The porosity, permeability, and wettability characteristics of reservoirs should be comprehensively evaluated before adopting technical countermeasures of waterflooding or wettability modification during oilfield development. If the porosity and permeability of the reservoir are high, water-wet reservoirs can be directly developed with waterflooding. However, it is better to make wettability modifications first before the waterflooding for oil-wet reservoirs. If the porosity and permeability of the reservoir are poor, direct waterflooding development has a better effect on oil-wet reservoirs compared with the water-wet reservoirs.

Multi-Scale Integration and Distribution of Soil Organic Matter Spatial Variation in a Coal–Grain Compound Area

Soil organic matter (SOM) scale effects are critical for crop growth and food security, especially in coal–grain complexes. However, few studies describe the spatial variation in SOM and its influencing factors at different sampling scales. Here, geostatistical theory and mathematical statistical methods were adopted to analyze the spatial variation characteristics of and structural differences in SOM in the coal mining subsidence area at Zhaogu No. 2 Mine at different sampling scales. The results showed that SOM varied spatially at large, medium, and small scales, and the coefficients of variation were 28.07%, 14.93%, and 14.31%, respectively, which are moderate values. The characteristic functions of the SOM content at different sampling scales differed, and the spatial structure scale effect was obvious. The spatial distribution of the SOM content fitted by the multiscale fitting model method was generally the same as the spatial distribution law of the SOM content fitted by the single scale kriging interpolation method; however, in terms of the detailed expression and spatial distribution of small-scale SOM content, the fitting model method was more accurate, and the accuracy increased by 36%. At the different sampling scales, sample size and soil type had specific effects on the SOM spatial distribution. These results provide research concepts and technical countermeasures for improving food security and the ecological environment in the coal–grain complex and help ensure sustainable agricultural lands.

Discussion on technical countermeasure of improving development effect of low permeability reservoir

Low PERMEABILITY RESERVOIR IS AN IMPORTANT MATERIAL FOUNDATION FOR STABLE PRODUCTION IN OLD AREAS, BUT DUE TO THE limitations OF reservoir physical properties, exploitation methods and other factors, the late production effect is poor, therefore, from the reservoir and development approach, the technical measures to improve oil recovery in low permeability reservoir are discussed. Based on the analysis of the factors influencing the development effect of double low reservoir and the geological characteristics of reservoir, from the viewpoint of seepage mechanics, this paper systematically classifies five indexes, such as main pipe radius, flow percentage, starting pressure gradient, clay mineral content and crude oil viscosity. The five-element combination evaluation method is used to optimize the low permeability point reservoir, and on this basis, favorable oil and gas accumulation areas are found. According TO THE DEVELOPMENT status of low permeability reservoir, reasonable injection-production network and well type are demonstrated to break the bottleneck of conventional low permeability water injection and improve the development benefit of low permeability reservoir.

Explaining information seeking intentions: Insights from a Slovenian social engineering awareness campaign

The human factor remains one of the key challenges in cybersecurity despite effective technical countermeasures in place. This study aims to determine what motivates individuals to seek information about social engineering by investigating the determinants of behavioral intention to follow the materials of a social engineering awareness campaign in Slovenia. A quantitative survey of individuals in Slovenia (N=542) aged 15 or older was administered with participants recruited through University of Maribor students. Data were collected on constructs related to the protection motivation theory (PMT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as well as privacy concerns and perceived performance of authorities. The survey instrument was validated with a confirmatory factor analysis. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to determine relationships between constructs and analysis of differences between students and employed individuals. Results indicate perceived threat, subjective norm, attitude toward behavior and authorities performance are all significant predictors of behavioral intention. The associations between perceived threat and behavioral intention, and privacy concern and attitude towards behavior was not significant among employed individuals. Among students, trust in authorities was not a significant predictor of authorities performance. This study has several implications. The results of this study suggest that fear appeals may be effective in motivating individuals to seek information about social engineering attacks thus improving the effectiveness of awareness campaigns. They also offer some insights into how to improve messaging towards the target populations. Messaging emphasizing perceived threat may directly increase information seeking intention while messaging emphasizing coping with social engineering may do so indirectly through attitude towards behavior. This study also indicates that messaging should be tailored to the target population (e.g., messaging emphasizing perceived threat may be much less effective for employed individuals than students).

Seeing is believing: Towards interactive visual exploration of data privacy in federated learning

Federated learning (FL), as a popular distributed machine learning paradigm, has driven the integration of knowledge in ubiquitous data owners under one roof. Although designed for privacy-preservation by nature, the supposed well-sanitized parameters still convey sensitive information (e.g., reconstruction attack), while existing technical countermeasures provide weak explainability for privacy understanding and protection practices of general users. This work investigates these privacy concerns with an exploratory study and elaborates on data owners’ expectations in FL. Based on the analysis, we design the first interactive visualization system for FL privacy that supports intelligible privacy inspection and adjustment for data owners. Specifically, our proposal facilitates sample recommendation for joint privacy–performance training at cold start. Then it provides visual interpretation and attention rendering of privacy risks in view of multiple attacking channels and a holistic view. Further it supports interactive privacy enhancement involving both user initiative and differential privacy technique, and iterative trade-off with real-time inference accuracy estimation. We evaluate the effectiveness of the system and collect qualitative feedbacks from users. The results demonstrate that 96.7% of users acknowledge the benefits to privacy inspection and adjustment and 90.3% are willing to use our system. More importantly, 87.1% increase the willingness of contributing data for FL.

CFLedger: Preventing chargeback fraud with blockchain

Chargeback fraud is a fast-growing threat to e-commerce, bringing huge losses to online sellers, but there is still a lack of effective technical counter measures. To combat chargeback fraud, this paper proposes a consortium blockchain based chargeback fraud data sharing mechanism — CFLedger, which includes multi-source reporting, anti-tamper accounting, and post-supervision. This paper also analyzes the efficiency, effectiveness, and practicality of CFLedger, proving that it is an effective and feasible mechanism to prevent chargeback fraud.

Discussion on Difficulties and Technical Countermeasures of Construction Quality Control of Bridge and Tunnel Engineering

Discussion on Difficulties and Technical Countermeasures of Construction Quality Control of Bridge and Tunnel Engineering

Three-Dimensional Spatial Distribution and Influential Factors of Soil Total Nitrogen in a Coal Mining Subsidence Area

Soil nitrogen is very important for crop growth and development. However, the factors affecting the three-dimensional spatial distribution of soil total nitrogen (TN), particularly in coal mining subsidence areas, are unclear. In this study, Markov geostatistics was used to analyse the three-dimensional spatial distribution characteristics and influential factors of TN by examining 180 soil samples from the Zhaogu mine in China. The results showed that the TN content was significantly different at different soil depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm) and decreased with increasing soil depth. The variation coefficient of the TN content decreased gradually from top to bottom, ranging from 18.18 to 25.62%. In addition, the TN content was greatly affected by mining subsidence, rainfall, irrigation, fertilization and management mode. The factors that influenced the TN content also varied across different slope positions. The TN content of the upslope was the highest, and the TN content of the middle slope was the lowest. These results can provide research ideas and technical countermeasures for ecological environment improvement and sustainable land development in coal mining subsidence areas.

Trial Discussion on the Technical Countermeasures for the Construction of Roadbed and Pavement Pressure in Highway Engineering

Trial Discussion on the Technical Countermeasures for the Construction of Roadbed and Pavement Pressure in Highway Engineering

Analysis of Energy Accumulation and Dispersion Evolution of a Thick Hard Roof and Dynamic Load Response of the Hydraulic Support in a Large Space Stope

Aiming at the mining disaster of a thick hard roof, based on the analysis of the mining instability influence of the thick hard roof, this study constructs the mining bearing mechanical model of the thick hard roof by using mechanical theory and obtains the mechanical distribution equation of mining bearing and energy accumulation, the mining instability energy release equation, and the dynamic load response equation of a hydraulic support in the working face, as well as the dynamic load response characteristics of the hydraulic support in the working face, putting forward the technical countermeasures for the strong dynamic pressure control of the thick hard roof in the working face. This research shows that 1) the larger the overburden load and suspension span of the thick hard roof, the more serious the mining bearing state and energy accumulation evolution; the greater the rock thickness and elastic modulus of the thick hard roof, the greater the flexural stiffness of the roof, resulting in the increase of the roof mining limit breaking span, which indirectly aggravates the mining bearing state and self-energy accumulation evolution; 2) the dynamic support resistance of the hydraulic support is composed of the dynamic support resistance caused by the release of elastic energy accumulated by mining of the thick hard roof, the work done by the overlying load, and the static support resistance caused by the direct roof gravity; 3) the dynamic support resistance caused by the work of the overlying load accounts for the highest proportion, followed by the dynamic support resistance caused by the release of mining elastic energy by the thick hard roof; the cause of mining instability and the strong dynamic pressure of the thick hard roof lie in the large span of the mining suspended roof, and the large-scale mining suspension structure of the thick hard roof leads to a high overlying load and large accumulated energy; and 4) the mining instability of the thick hard roof leads to a strong dynamic load response of the hydraulic support; adopting pre-splitting and roof cutting technology to reduce the breaking span of the thick hard roof and reducing the impact dynamic load caused by mining instability of the thick hard roof can effectively eliminate the potential safety hazard of overlimit bearing of the hydraulic support.

Prevent and Reduce the Risk of Implementing the Main Cybersecurity Threats

In hybrid conflicts of any intensity, hostilities (operations) are an element of other (non-force) actions mutually coordinated according to a single plan, mainly economic, political, diplomatic, informational, psychological, cyber, cognitive, etc. This creates destabilizing internal and external processes in the state that is the object of aggression (concern and discontent of the population, migration, acts of civil disobedience, etc.). The article examines the effective organizational and technical countermeasures against hybrid threats, national cyber defense systems in the developed countries. The article also presents the results of the investigations into the effects of the information hybrid threats through cyberspace on social, technical, socio and technical systems. The composition of the system of early efficient detection of the above hybrids is proposed. The results of the structural and parametric synthesis of the system are described. The recommendations related to the system implementation are given. A number of sufficient components for the effective design and development of the national cyber defense system of the state are proposed.

What leads to severe multi-vehicle crashes on mountainous expressways in Western China?

This paper investigates the occurrence and severity of collisions involving multiple vehicles on mountain expressways (MMEs) in Western China. A total of 1 521 crash samples occurring on one typical mountain expressway in Shaanxi, China, between 2012 and 2017, were analysed through a partially constrained generalised ordered logit to identify the significant risk factors contributing to the severity of such crashes. Elasticity analysis was performed to quantify the effects of each independent explanatory variable on the collision severity outcomes. Fourteen total explanatory variables were found to have a significant and pronounced influence on the likelihood of MME crashes. These include the type of collision, the at-fault driver's age, driving while fatigued, cell phone use while driving, alcohol-impaired driving, speeding, risky following and dangerous overtaking behaviour, sharp curves in the roadway and slippery pavement conditions, seasons, day of the week, time of day, and adverse weather (rain/snow/fog). The impacts of the variables on the collision severity were also explored. Taken together, the findings may serve as a useful guide for developing legislation and technical countermeasures to ensure traffic safety on mountain expressways in Western China.