Top Convex Research Articles

The Identification and Reservoir Architecture Characterization of Wandering Braided River in Nanpu 1-29 Area, Bohai Bay Basin

Nanpu 1-29 Area of Jidong Oilfield in China is currently in the stage of high water cut and low recovery degree. The remaining oil development and adjustment are difficult because of the complex reservoir heterogeneity and the lack of analysis of the reservoir architecture due to the unclear river type. This study first used sedimentary background, granularity, core, and sand body distribution to determine the river type and believed it belongs to the wandering braided river. Combined with core and logging data, four types of sedimentary architectural elements were found in the study area, namely, channel bar, braided channel, floodplain, and basalt. Based on the scale measurement of many similar modern wandering braided rivers, core data, and empirical formulas, the scales of the braided rivers were determined. The quantitative relationships among the scale of the braided river, the channel bar, and the braided channel were established. With this constraint, the reservoir architecture was anatomized. The results showed two filling types of the braided channels, including sandy filling and muddy filling. The combination patterns of the channel bars and the braided channels could be divided into three types, namely, superimposed, standalone, and contact, and the contact type was the primary type. On the whole, it showed the geometric morphological characteristics of the flat top convex at the bottom of the channel bar and the flat bottom convex at the top of the braided river channel. A careful measure of the architectural element was executed. The length of the single braided flow belts was 365.16-1349.72 m, and the width was 270.57-1160.54 m. The channel bar’s length was distributed 158.89-318.32 m, and the width was distributed 75.97-116.41 m. The braided river’s width was distributed 16.81-180.05 m. The length and width ratio of the channel bar was concentrated between 2 and 4, which manifested wide bar and narrow river channel mode. Finally, the static distribution model and dynamic response curve were compared to verify the correctness of the reservoir architecture characteristics to guide the subsequent development of the oilfield.

High-throughput phenotyping for plant growth and biomass yield of switchgrass under a controlled environment

Switchgrass (<italic>Panicum virgatum</italic> L.) is a native and prominent perennial grass species used for feedstocks. High-throughput phenotyping of biomass component traits is desirable for switchgrass improvement and production. The objective of this study was to establish correlations between the manually measured traits and image-extracted measurements in switchgrass grown in a controlled environment. Red-green-blue (RGB) images from side- and top-views were automatically collected from the plants varying in growth stages for assessing their relationships with manually measured traits. Plant height, tiller number, crown diameter, and shoot dry weight were all significantly correlated with RGB image-based measurements including side-view height (SHT), side convex hull (SCH), side projected area (SPA), top convex hull (TCH), and top projected area (TPA). For a particular plant trait, a good prediction was observed based on an image-based measurement, including plant height and SHT (R² = 0.992), tiller number and SPA (R² = 0.86), crown diameter and SCH (R² = 0.72), and shoot dry weight and SPA (R² = 0.88). Plant height was also well predicted by SCH (R² = 0.94) and SPA (R² = 0.88). Overall, SHT, SCH, and SPA extracted from RGB images well predicted plant height, tiller number and shoot dry weight. The results demonstrated that the image-based parameters could be leveraged in quantifying the growth and development of switchgrass.

Allocating value among farsighted players in network formation

We study the stability of networks when players are farsighted and allocations are determined endogenously. The set of strongly efficient networks is the unique von Neumann–Morgenstern farsightedly stable set with bargaining if the value function is anonymous, component additive and top convex and the allocation rule is anonymous and component efficient. Moreover, the componentwise egalitarian allocation rule emerges endogenously.

Application of aerial photographs for the assessment of anthropogenic denudation impact on soil cover of the Brodnica Landscape Park plateau areas

The aim of the study was to assess suitability of colour aerial photographs for mapping of soil cover transformed due to effect of anthropogenic denudation. The investigation was carried out in south-western part of the Brodnica Landscape Park, within the boundaries of rolling and hilly moraine plateau, used for agricultural purposes. The soil cover of that area is exposed to intensive influence of slope processes triggered by human agricultural activity. The anthropogenic denudation leads to truncation of soil profiles of top convex sections of slopes and hills’ summits. Soil material moved down the slopes is accumulated in the form of diluvium in hollows and lower sections of slopes. Two study sites were selected – Sumówko and Zbiczno. Within the boundaries of both study sites, detailed soil mapping took place consisting in preparation of irregular boreholes projection. Next, four sites were selected for soil pits, representing broad spectrum of transformations related to anthropogenic denudation. Based on obtained results and colour diversity of surface horizons, the spatial range of individual soil types was specified. It also enabled determination of anthropogenic denudation impact on formation of the soil cover. Totally eroded soils, classified as pelosols, located on hills’ summits, are characterized by very bright colours of surface horizons, resulting from content of calcium carbonate in glacial tills. The range of soil lessivés, prevailing within the slopes boundaries, where the erosion resulted in exposure of argic horizons rich in iron compounds and clay fraction, coincided with occurrence of brown colours. Bright grey surface horizons are characteristic of deluvial soils. This colour arises from sandy texture of deluvial material (low content of iron) in combination with humus nature. The soils located in relatively vast field depressions were covered with small thickness of diluvium, which was reflected in dark grey colours of surface horizons. These horizons are relatively rich in soil humus. Significant amounts of humus are related with mix of deluvial material with material formed in humus horizons, originally occurring on surfaces of soils rich in organic matter – black earths and organic soils.

Geometric optimization of electrostatic fields for stable levitation of metallic materials

Experimental and computational methods are used to optimize the electrostatic field for levitating metallic materials. The calculated launch voltage increases linearly with the distance between top and bottom electrodes. The combination of a larger top electrode diameter with a smaller bottom diameter may enhance the levitation ability because the electric field intensity near the levitated sample is strengthened. Top convex and bottom concave electrodes can guarantee good levitation stability but decrease the levitation force. The design of bottom electrode is crucial to attain not only a stable levitation state but also a higher levitation capability. As a measure characterizing the intrinsic levitation ability of various materials, the product of density and diameter of levitated samples can be used to determine the launch voltage for counteracting gravity according to a power relationship.

Considerable asymmetry of the critical current in a niobium thin strip of plano-convex section

We experimentally demonstrate that in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field the voltage-current curve of a Nb thin strip having plano-convex cross section exhibits considerable asymmetry of the critical current. The observed behavior can be accounted for by the magnetic field component normal to the top convex surface of the strip. Such a component is inhomogeneous, changes sign in the middle of the strip and affects the three-dimensional vortices that in this system have sections locally perpendicular to the top convex surface, though the magnetic field is applied parallel to the bottom flat surface. These sections play the most significant role in the generation of the observed asymmetry. A maximum asymmetry ratio of about 300% at 4.2 K is observed when the strip is in the mixed state and can be ascribed to the balance of the magnetic force due to the inhomogeneous field component and the polarity dependent Lorentz force associated to the transport current.

Connections Among Farsighted Agents

AbstractWe study the stability of social and economic networks when players are farsighted. In particular, we examine whether the networks formed by farsighted players are different from those formed by myopic players. We adopt the notion of pairwise farsightedly stable sets (Herings, Mauleon, and Vannetelbosch 2009). We first show that under the componentwise egalitarian allocation rule, the set of strongly efficient networks and the set of pairwise (myopically) stable networks that are immune to coalitional deviations are the unique pairwise farsightedly stable set if and only if the value function is top convex. We then investigate in some classical models of social and economic networks whether the pairwise farsightedly stable sets of networks coincide or not with the set of pairwise (myopically) stable networks and the set of strongly efficient networks.

Site-Directed Spin-Labeling Studies: Structure of the AnkD34-Cdb3 Complex

The adaptor protein ankyrin-R interacts via its membrane binding domain with the cytoplasmic domain of the anion exchange protein (AE1) and via its spectrin binding domain with the spectrin based membrane skeleton in human erythrocytes. This set of interactions provides a bridge between the lipid bilayer and the membrane skeleton thereby stabilizing the membrane. Atomic resolution structures for the dimeric cytoplasmic domain of AE1 (cdb3) and for a twelve ankyrin repeat segment (repeats 13-24) from the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R (AnkD34) have been reported. However, structural data on how these proteins assemble to form a stable complex have not been reported. In the current studies, site directed spin labeling, in combination with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and double electron-electron resonance (DEER), have been utilized to map the binding interfaces of the two proteins in the complex and to obtain inter-protein distance constraints. These data have been utilized to construct a family of structural models that are consistent with the full range of experimental data. These models indicate that an extensive area on the peripheral domain of cdb3 binds to ankyrin repeats 18-20 on the top convex surface of AnkD34 along the flexible linker away from the ankyrin groove primarily through hydrophobic interactions. This is a previously structurally uncharacterized surface for binding of cdb3 to AnkD34. Since a second dimer of cdb3 is known to bind to ankyrin repeats 7-12 of the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R, the current models have significant implications regarding the structural nature of a tetrameric form of AE1 that is hypothesized to be involved in binding to Ankyrin-R in the erythrocyte membrane. Supported by NIH P01 GM080513.

Dual Metallic Pattern Transfer Based on Metal-Film Contact Imprinting Lithography

This paper reports a novel pattern transfer method which can transfer two patterned metal films from one single mold to two separate polymer substrates. The first metallic film is defined by the top convex surface of a silicon mold and is transferred to a polymer substrate directly from roller-assisted contact printing and infrared heating. The second metallic film, which is defined by the bottom concave surface of the same silicon mold, is transferred to another polymer substrate through the mechanism of UV imprinting and curing processes. This new method not only can most efficiently utilize the metal films deposited on a mold but also can save the effort in mold cleaning for reusing the mold for continuous printing processes. Furthermore, since the two metallic patterns are highly complementary to each other all over the entire patterned area, new and important applications can be applied. A number of experiments have been carried out, and the feasibility of this new lithography approach is confirmed.

Connections Among Farsighted Agents

We study the stability of social and economic networks when players are farsighted. In particular, we examine whether the networks formed by farsighted players are different from those formed by myopic players. We adopt Herings, Mauleon and Vannetelbosch’s (Games and Economic Behavior, forthcoming) notion of pairwise farsightedly stable set. We first investigate in some classical models of social and economic networks whether the pairwise farsightedly stable sets of networks coincide with the set of pairwise (myopically) stable networks and the set of strongly efficient networks. We then provide some primitive conditions on value functions and allocation rules so that the set of strongly efficient networks is the unique pairwise farsightedly stable set. Under the componentwise egalitarian allocation rule, the set of strongly efficient networks and the set of pairwise (myopically) stable networks that are immune to coalitional deviations are the unique pairwise farsightedly stable set if and only if the value function is top convex.

HISTORY OF THE PREPARATORY STAGES OF PHYCIODES PICTA, Edw

EGG.—Sub-conic, truncated, the top convex, the upper part from one fourth to one third the length marked by low vertical ribs, about 24 in number; below these the surface is shallowly and irregularly indented; top similarly indented, convex; color when laid yellow green. Duration of this stage about five days.