Total Reservoir Research Articles

The timing of the Gold Cove glacial event: A comment on “Signature of the Gold Cove event (10.2 ka) in the Labrador Sea”

The recent paper in Quaternary International, Rashid et al. (2014) “Signature of the Gold Cove event (10.2 ka) in the Labrador Sea” attributes sediment layers rich in detrital carbonate (DC) in several marine sediment cores in the Labrador Sea to the so-called Gold Cove (GC) glacial advance of the early Holocene. The age estimate for the GC event as well as the correlations between sediment cores in this study are based on radiocarbon dates, mostly from previously published studies. Although this work provides a good overview of an apparently widespread DC layer in the early Holocene, the reported age of 10.2 cal. ka BP for the actual Gold Cove event is too young, due to a mistake made during re-calibration of the original radiocarbon dates used to describe the event. The 14C dates have been corrected to compensate for the marine reservoir effect two times, leading to an unrealistically large total reservoir age of more than thousand years. By applying such a large marine reservoir offset, the final calibrated age becomes too young. Originally the GC event was described to consist of an advance and retreat phase, in total spanning several centuries. The Gold Cove event should therefore more accurately be reported as an age range, and it occurred most likely ca. 500 years earlier than 10.2 ka BP, the age reported by Rashid et al. (2014).

Application of the transient rate decline analysis for determining average reservoir pressure in naturally fractured reservoirs

Abstract Based on the fracture-pore dual medium model proposed by Warren and Root et al, the solution of the pseudosteady-constant production fractured system by Mavor and Cinco-Ley and the solution of the pseudosteady-constant pressure matrix system by Daprat are extended, and a new method is presented for estimating average reservoir pressure of naturally fractured reservoirs using the transient rate decline analysis. The specific method is taking logarithm of the matrix production equation and fracture production equation to obtain two straight lines; then the slope and intercept of the straight lines are used to determine storage capacity ratio, total storage capacity and reservoir drainage area, and average reservoir pressure at last. Examples show that the new method is easy and practical, and gives result similar to that of the material balance method and direct Tiab synthesis method.

Hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors in the general population: a large community-based study in eastern China, 2011-2012.

Limited information is available on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the general population in China. A community-based epidemiological study was conducted in three counties in eastern China. A total of 149 175 individuals were investigated in 60 communities in three counties in Jiangsu province, eastern China, of whom 1175 subjects [0·79%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·74-0·83] were HCV antibody positive. The prevalence was low in children (0·09%, 95% CI 0·04-0·17), but increased progressively from adolescents (0·20%, 95% CI 0·15-0·28) to adults aged ⩾21 years (95% CI 0·15-1·64). Women had a higher prevalence of HCV infection than men in most age groups. In a multilevel regression analysis, age, sex, education, occupation, blood transfusion [odds ratio (OR) 2·91, 95% CI 1·09-5·37], invasive testing (OR 1·28, 95% CI 1·14-1·61), and dental therapy (OR 2·27, 95% CI 1·41-3·42) were associated with HCV infection. In conclusion, although the prevalence of HCV in this population was lower than reported from national levels, the total reservoir of infection is significant and warrants public health measures, such as health education to limit the magnitude of the problem.

Interleukin-37 Expression Is Increased in Chronic HIV-1-Infected Individuals and Is Associated with Inflammation and the Size of the Total Viral Reservoir.

Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a recently identified cytokine with potent antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. The objective of this study was to compare levels of IL-37 mRNA in immunological subgroups of chronic human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals and noninfected controls, to determine IL-37's association with biomarkers of inflammation and reservoir size. This was a cross-sectional study. The HIV-1-infected patients were categorized in three subgroups depending on their combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) treatment status and CD4(+) T-cell count. Quantitative RT-PCR was used for the detection of IL-37 mRNA and HIV-1 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Biomarkers in plasma were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas T-cell activation was determined by flow cytometry. Lastly, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulations of patients PBMCs were carried out to determine differences in IL-37 mRNA response between the subgroups. Sixty HIV-1-infected patients and 20 noninfected controls were included in the study. Steady-state IL-37 mRNA levels in PBMCs were significantly higher in HIV-1-infected individuals compared with noninfected controls: 2.4-fold (p ≤ 0.01) cART-naïve subjects; 3.9-fold (p ≤ 0.0001) inadequate immunological responders; and 4.0-fold (p ≤ 0.0001) in immunological responders compared with non-infected controls. Additionally, levels of the monocyte inflammatory marker sCD14 correlated with IL-37 mRNA (p = 0.03), whereas there was no association with T-cell activation. Finally, we observed a significant correlation between total viral HIV-1 DNA and IL-37 mRNA in PBMCs (p < 0.0001). Collectively, our data shows that the level of IL-37 mRNA is affected by chronic HIV-1-infection. A relationship with the activation of the monocyte compartment is suggested by the correlation with sCD14 and, interestingly, IL-37 could be related to the size of the total viral HIV-1 reservoir.

ISM Conditions for Star Formation in Low Metallicity Environments

How galaxies turn metals into dust and gas and eventual star formation is the crux to understanding the evolution of the cosmos. We find that the lowest metallicity star forming dwarf galaxies have much lower dust abundance than previously expected, compared to their total metals and gas reservoirs. Little dust, and challenging CO observations and relatively bright far-infrared fine structure lines, such as 158 μm [CII] and 88 μm [OIII] reveal the structure of the interstellar medium to be very porous to UV radiation, leaving dwarf galaxies with a significant filling factor of ionized gas, and photo dissociated envelopes. The infrared fine structure lines together provide a tool to quantify the important reservoir of molecular gas in dwarf galaxies not traced by CO: the CO dark gas component.

How does the timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation in acute infection affect HIV reservoirs?

The long-lived viral reservoir is a major obstacle to achieving a cure for HIV. Therapeutic strategies, such as early antiretroviral therapy (ART), may be a prerequisite to achieving long-term control of viral replication upon ART withdrawal. HIV persistence is established early in acute HIV infection (AHI) with infection in long-lived memory CD4⁺ T cells. Studies conducted in nonhuman primates have suggested that this could occur as early as 3 days postinfection; however, the timing in humans is uncertain. ART during AHI significantly restricts the HIV reservoirs as compared with later treatment. Early ART, particularly prior to the detection of HIV immunoglobulin M, may also reduce the contribution of the long-lived central memory CD4⁺ T cells to the total HIV reservoir, a profile observed in individuals who naturally control HIV without ART. It is clear that early ART has a greater impact in limiting the HIV reservoirs than later treatment. However, latently infected long-lived memory CD4⁺ T cells persist in most early treated individuals. Therefore, additional interventions will likely be required to eliminate all cells capable of producing replication-competent virus but treatment in AHI may be the critical first step in containing the HIV reservoirs.

Multi-phase intelligent decision model for reservoir real-time flood control during typhoons

This study applies an Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and a Real-Time Recurrent Learning Neural Network (RTRLNN) with an optimized reservoir release hydrograph using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) from historical typhoon events to develop a multi-phase intelligent real-time reservoir operation model for flood control. The flood control process is divided into three stages: (1) before flood (Stage I); (2) before peak flow (Stage II); and (3) after peak flow (Stage III). The models are then constructed with either three phase modules (ANFIS-3P and RTRLNN-3P) or two phase (Stage I + II and Stage III) modules (ANFIS-2P and RTRLNN-2P). The multi-phase modules are developed with consideration of the difference in operational decision mechanisms, decision information, release functions, and targets between each flood control stage to solve the problem of time-consuming computation and difficult system integration of MILP. In addition, the model inputs include the coupled short lead time and total reservoir inflow forecast information that are developed using radar- and satellite-based meteorological monitoring techniques, forecasted typhoon tracks, meteorological image similarity analysis, ANFIS and RTRLNN. This study uses the Tseng-Wen Reservoir basin as the study area, and the model results showed that RTRLNN outperformed ANFIS in the simulated outcomes from the optimized hydrographs. This study also applies the models to Typhoons Kalmaegi and Morakot to compare the simulations to historical operations. From the operation results, the RTRLNN-3P model is better than RTRLNN-2P and historical operations. Further, because the RTRLNN-3P model combines the innovative multi-phase module with monitored and forecasted decision information, the operation can simultaneously, effectively and automatically achieve the dual goals of flood detention at peak flow periods and water supply at the end of a typhoon event.

Balancing reservoir creation and seismic hazard in enhanced geothermal systems

SUMMARY Fractureshear-dilatancyisanessentialprocessforenhancingthepermeabilityofdeepgeothermal reservoirs, and is usually accompanied by the radiation of seismic waves. However, the hazard and risk perspective of induced seismicity research typically focuses only on the question of how to reduce the occurrence of induced earthquakes. Here we present a quantitative analysisofseismichazardasafunctionofthetwokeyfactorsdefininganenhancedgeothermal system: The permeability enhancement, and the size of the stimulated reservoir. Our model has two coupled components: (1) a pressure diffusion model and (2) a stochastic seismicity model. Permeability is increased in the source area of each induced earthquake depending on the amount of slip, which is determined by the magnitude. We show that the few largest earthquakes (i.e. 5–10 events with M ≥ 1.5) contribute more than half of the total reservoir stimulation. The results further indicate that planning and controlling of reservoir engineering operations may be compromised by the considerable variability of maximum observed magnitude, reservoir size, the Gutenberg–Richter b-value and Shapiro’s seismogenic index (i.e. a measure of seismic reactivity of a reservoir) that arises from the intrinsic stochastic nature of induced seismicity. We also find that injection volume has a large impact on both reservoir size and seismic hazard. Injection rate and injection scheme have a negligible effect. The impact of site-specific parameters on seismicity and reservoir properties is greater than that of the injected volume. In particular, conditions that lead to high b-values—possibly a low differential stress level—have a high impact on seismic hazard, but also reduce the efficiency of the stimulation in terms of permeability enhancement. Under such conditions, target reservoir permeability can still be achieved without reaching an unacceptable level of seismic hazard, if either the initial reservoir permeability is high or if several fractures are stimulated. The proposed methodology is a first step towards including induced seismic hazard analysis into the design of reservoir stimulation in a quantitative and robust manner.

Technology Focus: EOR Operations (June 2014)

Technology Focus Enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) methods have been increasingly positioned into the mainstream of project planning these past years as conventional, highly productive, and large reservoirs have become more difficult to find. As a result, in recent years, various innovative EOR techniques seeking to maximize total reservoir recovery have gained renewed interest and attention. However, despite the wealth of knowledge already available and heavy investments made from a number of operators, it is certain that the potential of EOR solutions has not been fully realized. One key area that can boost EOR projects’ results and challenge the professionals involved is the pursuit of EOR operational excellence. Although it can be seen as a trivial target, it is in fact a quite complex goal. Besides experienced management, it involves a well-prepared multidisciplinary team in the planning phase, definition, controlling of the contracts, and the safe and precise execution and monitoring of the operation. Integration is key to the implementation of efficient and safe operations with minimization of operational costs. Like a winning World Cup football team, victory will depend as much on a good coach as on well-prepared and integrated players. They have different roles to play during the game, but they all target the same goal.

Giant otter population responses to habitat expansion and degradation induced by a mega hydroelectric dam

Large hydroelectric dams are major drivers of habitat loss and degradation in lowland Amazonia. Hydroelectric reservoirs reduce the habitat available for terrestrial species, but create new open-water and shoreline lake habitat that can potentially boost populations of aquatic and semi-aquatic species, such as the threatened giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). To assess the impacts of mega-dams on this apex-predator, we surveyed the giant otter population across the 443,772-hectare Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir of central Brazilian Amazonia between 14 and 25years after this reservoir creation. We compared changes in habitat area and estimated giant otter population size between the reservoir pre- and post-filling stages. The Balbina dam created ∼3525 islands and increased the open-water surface and total reservoir perimeter available to otters by a factor of 62.7 and 8.9, respectively. Some 25years after damming, however, the estimated post-filling giant otter population size was only twice greater than that estimated before filling and 4.5 times smaller than would be predicted given the total available habitat area and density of dens quantified at a neighbouring undisturbed area used as a surrogate of the pre-filling phase. The observed mismatch between the proportional increase in otter population size and the much greater newly available reservoir habitat area is likely due to low habitat quality in terms of low fish prey productivity and scarcity of suitable sites for denning and territory demarcation. This should be considered in strategic environmental impact assessments of planned hydroelectric dams and in managing existing and future hydropower development in lowland tropical forests.

Intensification of a raltegravir-based regimen with maraviroc in early HIV-1 infection

Latent HIV-1-infected cells generated early in the infection are responsible for viral persistence, and we hypothesized that addition of maraviroc to triple therapy in patients recently infected with HIV-1 could accelerate decay of the viral reservoir. Patients recently infected (<24 weeks) by chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)-using HIV-1 were randomized to a raltegravir + tenofovir/emtricitabine regimen (control arm, n = 15) or the same regimen intensified with maraviroc (+MVC arm, n = 15). Plasma viral load, cell-associated HIV-1 DNA (total, integrated, and episomal), and activation/inflammation markers were measured longitudinally. Plasma viral load decayed in both groups, reaching similar residual levels at week 48. Total cell-associated HIV-1 DNA also decreased in both groups during the first month, although subsequently at a slightly faster rate in the +MVC arm. The transient increase in two long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles observed in both groups early after initiation of treatment decreased earlier in MVC-treated individuals. Early (week 12) increase of CD4 T-cell counts was higher in the +MVC arm. Conversely, CD8 T-cell counts and CD4 T-cell activation decreased slower in the +MVC arm. Absolute CD4 T-cell and CD8 T-cell counts, immune activation, CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, and soluble inflammation markers were similar in both arms at the end of the study. Addition of maraviroc in early integrase inhibitor-based treatment of HIV-1 infection results in faster reduction of 2-LTR newly infected cells and recovery of CD4 T-cell counts, and a modest reduction in total reservoir size after 48 weeks of treatment. Paradoxically, CCR5 blockade also induced a slower decrease in plasma viremia and immune activation.

Capacities of soil water reservoirs and their better regression models by combining “merged groups PCA” in Chongqing, China

Soil water resource, together with the surface and sub-surface water resource, is essential to the regional water balance and world water cycle. A total of 90 soil samples were collected from 30 different soil profiles of dry fields throughout Chongqing, China randomly to show how soil could be a crucial part of water resources by discussing their five types of calculated soil water reservoir capacities, namely the total soil water reservoir capacity (mm) (TC), soil water storage capacity (mm) (SC), unavailable soil water reservoir capacity (mm) (UC), available soil water reservoir capacity (mm) (AC), and soil dead water storage capacity (mm) (DC) in certain layer, respectively. Overall, the total soil water reservoir capacity in 0–40cm was about 209mm, of which 70mm belonged to available soil water reservoir capacity. Not all the five types of soil water reservoir capacities had significant correlations between each other. Soil structure, especially the size and quantity of soil pore was mainly determined by soil particle composition (clay, silt, and sand content). The more sand and less clay led to the more soil macropores, which provided room for soil water. Thus, clay, silt, and sand content jointly produced profound influence on soil water reservoir capacities. Nevertheless, specific water capacity and topographic factors displayed weak correlations to soil water reservoir capacities, which required further research works. Ultimately, the better regression models were achieved by multiple regression analysis coupled with “merged groups PCA” than by multiple regression analysis with “all variables PCA”. UC, SC, TC and DC could be well simulated (mostly R2>0.70; P<0.05) through normal multiple regression analysis using original variables as well as multiple regression analysis with “merged groups PCA”. Only regression models of TC and DC were highly significant (mostly R2>0.70; P<0.05) through “all variables PCA” method. And there were poor coefficients of determination (R2) for AC (mostly R2<0.40; P<0.05) by all the three regression methods.

Magnetic Method Surveying and Its Application for the Concealed Ore-Bodies Prospecting of Laba Porphyry Molybdenum Ore Field in Shangri-La, Northwestern Yunnan Province, China

Recently, a number of large molybdenum (-copper) deposits have been discovered successively in the Laba area, Shangri-La county, northwestern Yunnan province. The investigation confirmed that there is a superlarge porphyry-skarn hydrothermal vein type molybdenum-polymetallic- metallogenic system with the total prediction reservoir of more than 150 mt molybdenum. The porphyry intrusions contributed to the mineralization closely, the superficial little vein molybdenum (-copper, lead, silver) ore-bodies are usually located in faults and fractures, and the deep porphyry type ore-bodies occurred in the granodiorite porphyries, the skarn type ore-bodies occurred in the contact zone intrused into Triassic limestone or Permian basalts. Laba ore block is a new exploration area with great prospecting potential. In order to reduce the target area and guide the further exploration work, the magnetic method measurement about 3.3 square kilometres was carried out in the ore field. This paper presents an application of analyzing the horizontal and vertical derivative, using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) filter (FFT high-pass, low-pass, cosine roll-off, suscepbility), calculated spectra frequency energy to predict the depth and intensity of the apparent remanence magnetization of source (Hilbert). The calculated results and magnetic anomalous show that the remanence anomaly is caused by the intrusions into the Triassic limestone and Permian basalts with small anomalies, and the depth of located source is not great. We have identified a number of positions to the three drilled well, the drilled result specify interpretation with very high accuracy. The magnetic method is helpful to identify porphyry mineralization, and judge the shape and depth of the concealed ore-bearing intrusive bodies under the similar geological condition.

Reservoir Characterization by Investigating the Reservoir Fluid Properties and their Effect on Seismic Response of Fenchuganj Gas Field, Bangladesh

Fenchuganj Gas Field is located in the Surma Basin of Bangladesh and characterized by water-drive gas field. In the reservoir condition, water saturation increases as gas production rise. The fluid properties of the four individual gas zones of this reservoir at the present condition and at the gas depleted condition should be addressed with proper prediction. In this paper, we characterize the total reservoir with special emphasis on Upper Gas Zone and New Gas Zone I which are compared with other two gas zones (New Gas Zone III and New Gas Zone II) representing some modeling results (has done before by these authors) which evidences that the pore fluids have a significant effect on the acoustic impedance and the Poisson’s ratio of the reservoir rock which is directly correlated with seismic amplitudes at constant pressure with Batzle-Wang model and Gassman-Boit models. These models with varying pressure and water saturation conditions show the reasonable predicted fluid modulus against pressure for all four gas sands. The reservoir modeling from irreducible water saturation condition (90% gas saturation) to residual gas condition (10% gas saturation) provides a way to estimate values at reservoir conditions from logging conditions. Fluid bulk density increases when water saturation increases with constant pressure and stay around constant when water saturation increases with pressure drop. But overall it increases through the production path that we assumed. Amplitude versus Offset (AVO) analysis is also compared with other study models which show that seismic reflection of p-wave changes due to change of pressure and water saturation of the reservoir rock layers. This study is also showing that all four gas zones of the Fenchuganj are under gas sand category 3. We propose the modeling of fluid property in determining the convenience of time lapse seismic, predicting AVO and amplitude response, and forecasting in the study field and making production and reservoir engineering decisions.

Joint optimization of number of wells, well locations and controls using a gradient-based algorithm

This paper presents a detailed algorithm for solving the general well-placement optimization problem in which the number of wells, their locations and rates are simultaneously optimized with an efficient gradient-based algorithm. The proposed well-placement optimization algorithm begins by placing a large number of wells in the reservoir, where, the well rates are the optimization variables. During iterations of the algorithm, most of the wells are eliminated by setting their rates to zero. The remaining wells and their controls determine the optimal number of wells, their optimum locations and rates. The well-placement algorithm consists of two optimization stages. In the initialization stage, the appropriate total reservoir production rate (or the total injection rate) for the set of to-be-optimized producers (or injectors) is estimated by maximizing the net-present-value for the specified operational life of the reservoir. In the second stage, a modified net-present-value functional which also considers the drilling cost of the wells is maximized subject to the a total rate constraint determined in the initialization stage. Both stages of the algorithm use gradient projection to enforce the linear and bound constraints, where the required gradients are computed with the adjoint method. The bottomhole pressure constraints on the wells are enforced using a practical approach. The applicability and robustness of our well-placement algorithm is discussed through several example problems.

Residual Gastric Volume Estimated with a New Radiological Volumetric Model: Relationship with Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

The volume of the gastric reservoir appears crucial to explain the success of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in the treatment of morbid obesity. The aims of this study were to describe a new, easy model to estimate gastric reservoir volume after LSG; to evaluate the volumetric changes 1 year after surgery; and to analyze their relationship with weight loss. This is a prospective observational study of all patients undergoing LSG in the Department of Surgery at our institution. The gastric reservoir was evaluated radiologically considering the image as a complex geometrical shape with two components: a cylinder (gastric body) and a truncated cone (antrum). Radiologic assessment using this new model was performed at 1 and 12 months after surgery. Moreover, body mass index and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after LSG. Forty-five patients (34 F/11 M) with a mean age of 46.9 years were included. A significant increase in total gastric reservoir volume (124.8 ± 58.7 and 188.6 ± 76.4 mL at 1 and 12 months, respectively; p = 0.001) was observed. No statistically significant differences were observed comparing volume of the two components at the two time points. The %EWL at 18 months was inversely correlated with reservoir volume changes at 12 months after LSG (p = 0.006). We describe an easy volumetric model to estimate the size of the gastric reservoir after LSG. Moreover, a direct relationship between an increase in gastric reservoir volume and a lower weight loss after surgery was documented.

The Combined Generation-Consumption Scheduling Mode Considering Price-Responsive and Interruptible Loads

In order to provide reserve power supply, consumption dispatch can be integrated into the conventional generation dispatch model. This serves as a feasible approach in connecting intermittent power sources such as hydropower into the power grid. An integrated generation-consumption dispatch model with hydropower is presented considering the consumption dispatch mode, such as consumption stimulation, interruptible load management, and price response, etc. Practical case studies show that price-responsive loads and interruptible loads tend to exert great influence on the load distribution which lead to a reallocation of generation among thermal generation units, run-of-river and storage hydropower generation units, which favours the total reservoir storage of the system so that the overall system operational economy can be improved.

Groundwater–river interaction and management in the context of inter-basin transfers

This study is focused on the management of coupled groundwater–river interaction (GRI) in the context of inter-basin transfers. The semi-coupled models, HEC-RAS and MODFLOW, were utilized in this study to replicate the River Tees experiment that had been conducted in 1976. Then the ‘surrogate’ models were applied to two “what if” scenarios in order to understand and manage GRI behavior and the nature of the reservoir control system. The results on the River Tees showed that the total temporary bankside storage volume was up to 17.5 % of the total reservoir release, given about 22 h of travel time. In addition, zones 4 and 5 of the river model with significant alluvium deposits were the best storage sites with values of 4.5 and 6.7 % of the total reservoir release, respectively, estimated as temporary losses. The final direct runoff received downstream at broken scar was about 95 % of the Cow Green total reservoir release. Furthermore, the closure rate proved to be vital to compute the effective return flow in respect of this study area. Finally, with careful reservoir and groundwater management, the River Tees proved to be an ideal natural aqueduct for inter-basin transfers when used as part of a major regional water resources scheme.

Comparison of HIV DNA and RNA in gut-associated lymphoid tissue of HIV-infected controllers and noncontrollers

HIV-infected controllers have provided novel insights into mechanisms of viral control. We investigated the degree to which HIV DNA and RNA are present in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of controllers. Cross-sectional cohort study. Colorectal biopsy pieces were obtained from five untreated noncontrollers, five ART-suppressed patients, and nine untreated controllers. Rectal HIV DNA was lower in controllers (median 496 copies/10(6) CD4 T cells) than in untreated noncontrollers (117483 copies/10(6) CD4+ T cells, P = 0.001) and ART-suppressed patients (6116 copies/10(6) CD4 T cells, P = 0.004). Similarly, rectal HIV RNA was lower in controllers (19 copies/10(6) CD4 T cells) than in noncontrollers (15210 copies/10(6) CD4+ T cells, P = 0.001) and ART-suppressed patients (1625 copies/10(6) CD4+ T cells, P = 0.0599). Rectal HIV RNA/DNA ratios were not statistically different between the three groups. Despite being able to maintain very low plasma HIV RNA levels in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected controllers have readily measurable levels of HIV DNA and RNA in GALT. As expected, controllers had lower rectal HIV DNA and RNA compared with untreated noncontrollers and ART-suppressed individuals. Compared with the mechanisms of 'natural' viral control of controllers, long-term ART does not reduce the total HIV reservoir to the level of controllers.

Modelling carbon dioxide storage within closed structures in the UK Bunter Sandstone Formation

The Bunter Sandstone Formation in the UK Southern North Sea has the potential to become an important CO2 storage unit if carbon dioxide capture and storage becomes a widely deployed option for the mitigation of greenhouse gases. A detailed geological model of a region of the Bunter Sandstone consisting of four domed structural closures was created using existing seismic, well log and core data. Compositional simulation of CO2 injection was performed to estimate the storage capacity of domes within the system. The injection was constrained by both pressure and CO2 migration criteria, and the storage efficiencies of the domes (volume of stored CO2 divided by the pore volume of the dome) were calculated when injection ceased. A sensitivity study evaluated the effect of varying the total aquifer volume, reservoir heterogeneity and injection well location. A wide range of storage efficiency values were obtained across the different simulation cases, ranging from 4% (closed dome) to 33% (homogeneous model). Intra-reservoir heterogeneity, specifically in the form of continuous low permeability layers has an important effect on storage capacity in dome-like structures, because it increases the tendency for CO2 to migrate laterally from the storage complex via structural spill points.