Analysis of Maximum Liquid Carrying Capacity Based on Conventional Tubing Plunger Gas Lift

China’s unconventional gas fields have a large number of low-productivity and low-efficiency wells, many of whichare located in remote and environmentally harsh mountainous areas. To address the long-term stable productionof these gas wells, plunger-lift technology plays an important role. In order to fully understand and accurately graspthe drainage and gas production mechanisms of plunger-lift, a mechanical model of plunger-liquid column uplift inthe plunger-lift process was established, focusing on conventional plunger-lift systems and representative wellboreconfigurations in the Linxing region. The operating casing pressure of the plunger-lift process and the calculationmethod for the maximum daily fluid production rate based on the work regime with the highest fluid recovery ratewere determined. For the first time, the critical flow rate method was proposed as a constraint for the maximumliquid-carrying capacity of the plunger-lift, and liquid-carrying capacity charts for conventional plunger-lift withdifferent casing sizes were developed. The results showed that for 23/8 casing plunger-lift, with a well depth ofshallower than 808 m, the maximum drainage rate was 33 m3/d;for 27/8 casing plunger-lift, with a well depth ofshallower than 742 m, the maximum drainage rate was 50.15 m3/d;for 31/2 casing plunger-lift, with a well depthof shallower than 560 m, the maximum drainage rate was 75.14 m3/d. This research provides a foundation for thescientific selection of plunger-lift technology and serves as a decision-making reference for developing reasonableplunger-lift work regimes.

Elucidating the clinical and immunological value of m6A regulatormediated methylation modification patterns in adrenocortical carcinoma

N6-methyladenosine methylation(m6A)is a common type of epigenetic alteration that prominently affects the prognosis of tumor patients.However,it is unknown how the m6A regulator affects the tumor microenvironment(TME)cell infiltration in adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC)and how it affects the prognosis of ACC patients yet.The m6A alteration patterns of 112 ACC patients were evaluated,furthermore,the association with immune infiltration cell features was investigated.The unsupervised clustering method was applied to typify the m6A alteration patterns of ACC patients.The principal component analysis(PCA)technique was taken to create the m6A score to assess the alteration pattern in specific malignancies.We found two independent patterns of m6A alteration in ACC patients.The TME cell infiltration features were significantly in accordance with phenotypes of tumor immune-inflamed and immune desert in both patterns.The m6Ascore also served as an independent predictive factor in ACC patients.The somatic copy number variation(CNV)and patients prognosis can be predicted by m6A alteration patterns.Moreover,the ACC patients with high m6A scores had better overall survival(OS)and higher efficiency in immune checkpoint blockade therapy.Our work demonstrated the significance of m6A alteration to the ACC patients immunotherapy.The individual m6A alteration patterns analysis might contribute to ACC patients prognosis prediction and immunotherapy choice.

All-optical object identification and threedimensional reconstruction based on optical computing metasurface

Object identification and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques are always attractive research interests in machine vision,virtual reality,augmented reality,and biomedical engineering.Optical computing metasurface,as a two-dimensional artificial design component,has displayed the supernormal character of controlling phase,amplitude,polarization,and frequency distributions of the light beam,capable of performing mathematical operations on the input light field.Here,we propose and demonstrate an all-optical object identification technique based on optical computing metasurface,and apply it to 3D reconstruction.Unlike traditional mechanisms,this scheme reduces memory consumption in the processing of the contour surface extraction.The identification and reconstruction of experimental results from high-contrast and low-contrast objects agree well with the real objects.The exploration of the all-optical object identification and 3D reconstruction techniques provides potential applications of high efficiencies,low consumption,and compact systems.

Electrostatic atomization minimum quantity lubrication machining:from mechanism to application

Metal cutting fluids(MCFs)under flood conditions do not meet the urgent needs of reducing carbon emission.Biolubricant-based minimum quantity lubrication(MQL)is an effective alternative to flood lubrication.However,pneumatic atomization MQL has poor atomization properties,which is detrimental to occupational health.Therefore,electrostatic atomization MQL requires preliminary exploratory studies.However,systematic reviews are lacking in terms of capturing the current research status and development direction of this technology.This study aims to provide a comprehensive review and critical assessment of the existing understanding of electrostatic atomization MQL.This research can be used by scientists to gain insights into the action mechanism,theoretical basis,machining performance,and development direction of this technology.First,the critical equipment,eco-friendly atomization media(biolubricants),and empowering mechanisms of electrostatic atomization MQL are presented.Second,the advanced lubrication and heat transfer mechanisms of biolubricants are revealed by quantitatively comparing MQL with MCF-based wet machining.Third,the distinctive wetting and infiltration mechanisms of electrostatic atomization MQL,combined with its unique empowering mechanism and atomization method,are compared with those of pneumatic atomization MQL.Previous experiments have shown that electrostatic atomization MQL can reduce tool wear by 42.4%in metal cutting and improve the machined surface Ra by 47%compared with pneumatic atomization MQL.Finally,future development directions,including the improvement of the coordination parameters and equipment integration aspects,are proposed.

Counting Method of Mangrove Pests Based on Infrared Thermography

In the field of plant protection,certain methods for assessing the current pest situation and implementing appropriate protection countermeasures can effectively protect plants while saving manpower and material resources.However,current pest monitoring methods are primarily based on the stage of"seeing,hand checking,disc shooting and net catching",and the level of automation is low.Manual methods are time-consuming,prone to error,and difficult to review.We designed a method based on infrared thermography principle for counting Ricania guttata(Walker),a pest which is harmful to mangrove plants.This method,which is based on thermal infrared images and binarized image segmentation,realizes image processing of surface temperature,effectively distinguishes pests and sticky board,automatically counts the number of pests,and expands the data source based on image processing.Furthermore,this method contributes to the solution of the problem that counting error of insect close to the color of sticky board is greater in image recognition of visible light,when the pest color is close to the stick board.It can facilitate manual investigation of mangrove pests,simply and efficiently count the number of pests on the stick board,and provide data and technical support for pest condition analysis and control.

Analysis of grinding mechanics and improved grinding force model based on randomized grain geometric characteristics

Too high grinding force will lead to a large increase in specific grinding energy, resulting in high temperature in grinding zone, especially for the aerospace difficult cutting metal materials,seriously affecting the surface quality and accuracy. At present, the theoretical models of grinding force are mostly based on the assumption of uniform or simplified morphological characteristics of grains, which is inconsistent with the actual grains. Especially for non-engineering grinding wheel,most geometric characteristics of grains are ignored, resulting in the calculation accuracy that cannot guide practical production. Based on this, an improved grinding force model based on random grain geometric characteristics is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the surface topography model of CBN grinding wheel is established, and the effective grain determination mechanism in grinding zone is revealed. Based on the known grinding force model and mechanical behavior of interaction between grains and workpiece in different stages, the concept of grain effective action area is proposed. The variation mechanism of effective action area under the influence of grain geometric and spatial characteristics is deeply analyzed, and the calculation method under random combination of five influencing parameters is obtained. The numerical simulation is carried out to reveal the dynamic variation process of grinding force in grinding zone. In order to verify the theoretical model, the experiments of dry grinding Ti-6Al-4 V are designed. The experimental results show that under different machining parameters, the results of numerical calculation and experimental measurement are in good agreement, and the minimum error value is only 2.1 %, which indicates that the calculation accuracy of grinding force model meets the requirements and is feasible. This study will provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the wheel structure, effectively controlling the grinding force range, adjusting the grinding zone temperature and improving the workpiece machining quality in the industrial grinding process.

Nanoparticle-enhanced coolants in machining:mechanism,application,and prospects

Nanoparticle-enhanced coolants(NPECs)are increasingly used in minimum quantity lubrication(MQL)machining as a green lubricant to replace conventional cutting fluids to meet the urgent need for carbon emissions and achieve sustainable manufacturing.However,the thermophysical properties of NPEC during processing remain unclear,making it difficult to provide precise guidance and selection principles for industrial applications.Therefore,this paper reviews the action mechanism,processing properties,and future development directions of NPEC.First,the laws of influence of nano-enhanced phases and base fluids on the processing performance are revealed,and the dispersion stabilization mechanism of NPEC in the preparation process is elaborated.Then,the unique molecular structure and physical properties of NPECs are combined to elucidate their unique mechanisms of heat transfer,penetration,and antifriction effects.Furthermore,the effect of NPECs is investigated on the basis of their excellent lubricating and cooling properties by comprehensively and quantitatively evaluating the material removal characteristics during machining in turning,milling,and grinding applications.Results showed that turning of Ti‒6Al‒4V with multi-walled carbon nanotube NPECs with a volume fraction of 0.2%resulted in a 34%reduction in tool wear,an average decrease in cutting force of 28%,and a 7%decrease in surface roughness Ra,compared with the conventional flood process.Finally,research gaps and future directions for further applications of NPECs in the industry are presented.

2,6-二甲氧基-1,4-苯醌通过抑制NLRP3炎症小体活化缓解小鼠的感染性休克

目的 探究发酵小麦胚芽提取物主要活性成分2,6-二甲氧基-1,4-苯醌(DMQ)抑制NLRP3炎症小体活化并缓解小鼠感染性休克的作用机制。方法 细胞学水平:在BMDM细胞中,经脂多糖(LPS)预处理、DMQ干预后,利用尼日利亚菌素(Nigericin)、ATP、尿酸钠结晶(MSU)分别活化经典NLRP3炎症小体以及胞内转染LPS活化非经典NLRP3炎症小体。利用聚脱氧腺苷酸(Poly A:T)活化AIM2炎症小体。在THP-1细胞中,利用Nigericin活化经典NLRP3炎症小体,通过Western blotting和ELISA方法测定NLRP3炎症小体活化产物的表达水平。蛋白分子水平:利用免疫共沉淀探究DMQ阻断NLRP3炎症小体活化的具体机制。动物水平:将8周龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为空白对照组、感染性休克LPS组、DMQ 20 mg/kg治疗组、DMQ 40 mg/kg治疗组,6只/组,待DMQ治疗组小鼠预注射相应浓度DMQ后,对照组小鼠注射无菌PBS,其余3组小鼠腹腔注射相同剂量LPS,利用ELISA检测DMQ干预对LPS诱导的小鼠感染性休克模型中血清和腹腔灌洗液中TNF-α和IL-1β分泌水平的影响。DMQ预处理后注射LPS观察记录小鼠36 h内的生存状态并绘制生存曲线。结果 DMQ可有效抑制小鼠BMDM细胞和人THP-1细胞中经典NLRP3炎症小体活化(P<0.05),在小鼠BMDM细胞中对非经典NLRP3炎症小体活化也起到有效抑制作用(P<0.05),DMQ对AIM2炎症小体活化无影响(P>0.05)。进一步实验结果揭示DMQ可阻断ASC和NLRP3之间的相互作用。DMQ治疗组可显著降低小鼠血清和腹腔液中IL-1β的分泌水平(P<0.05)并延长小鼠生存时间(P<0.05)。结论 发酵小麦胚芽提取物主要活性成分DMQ通过阻断ASC和NLRP3之间的相互作用有效抑制NLRP3炎症小体活化并缓解LPS诱导的小鼠感染性休克。

RiceENCODE:A comprehensive epigenomicdatabase as a rice Encyclopedia of DNA Elements

Dear Editor,Rice(Oryza sativa)is one of the most important crops in the worldand a common model plant for genomic research.The genomesofXian/IndicaandGeng/Japonicahave been completelysequenced and annotated with accurate genome information.Over the past few years,epigenomic information,including DNAmethylation,histone modification,and chromatin accessibility,has been characterized in theXian/IndicaandGeng/Japonicage-nomes(Zhao et al.,2020).Quite a few rice three-dimensionalgenome studies have been published in the meantime(Zhaoet al.,2019).However,it is still a big challenge for many groupsthat lack dedicated bioinformatic personnel or sufficientcomputational resources to utilize such epigenetic data.

Neural network-based model predictive control with fuzzy-SQP optimization for direct thrust control of turbofan engine

A nonlinear model predictive control method based on fuzzy-Sequential Quadratic Programming(SQP)for direct thrust control is proposed in this paper for the sake of improving the accuracy of thrust control.The designed control system includes four parts,namely a predictive model,rolling optimization,online correction,and feedback correction.Considering the strong nonlinearity of engine,a predictive model is established by Back Propagation(BP)neural network for the entire flight envelope,whose input and output are determined with random forest algorithm and actual situation analysis.Rolling optimization typically uses SQP as the optimization algorithm,but SQP algorithm is easy to trap into local optimization.Therefore,the fuzzy-SQP algorithm is proposed to prevent this disadvantage using fuzzy algorithm to determine the initial value of SQP.In addition to the traditional three parts of model predictive control,an online correction module is added to improve the predictive accuracy of the predictive model in the predictive time domain.Simulation results show that the BP predictive model can reach a certain degree of predictive accuracy,and the proposed control system can achieve good tracking performance with the limited parameters within the safe range。

Limit protection design in turbofan engine acceleration control based on scheduling command governor

A new limit protection method based on Scheduling Command Governor(SCG) is proposed for imposing multiple constraints on a turbofan engine during acceleration process. A Gain Scheduling Controller(GSC) is designed for the transient state control and its stability proof is developed using Linear Matrix Inequalities(LMIs). The SCG is an add-on control scheme which manages engine limits effectively based on reference trajectory optimization. Unlike the traditional min–max architecture with switching logic, the SCG method utilizes the Linear Parameter Varying(LPV) closed-loop model to form a prediction of future constraint violation and per instant solves a constraint-admissible reference within an approximate Maximal Output Admissible Set(MOAS).The influence of the variation of engine dynamic characteristics and equilibrium points during transient state control is handled by the design of contractive sets. Simulation results on a turbofan engine component-level model show the applicability and effectiveness of the SCG method. Compared to the traditional min–max method, the SCG method has less conservativeness. In addition,the design of contractive sets makes conservativeness tunable.

Weak-value amplification for the optical signature of topological phase transitions

We show that weak measurements can be used to measure the tiny signature of topological phase transitions.The signature is an in-plane photonic spin Hall effect,which can be described as a consequence of a Berry phase.It is also parallel to the propagation direction of a light beam.The imaginary part of the weak value can be used to analyze ultrasmall longitudinal phase shifts in different topological phases.These optical signatures are related to the Chern number and bandgaps;we also use a preselection and postselection technique on the spin state to enhance the original signature.The weak amplification technique offers a potential way to determine the spin and valley properties of charge carriers,Chern numbers,and topological phases by direct optical measurement.

Systematic Genome-Wide Profiles Reveal Alternative Splicing Landscape and Implications of Splicing Regulator DExD-Box Helicase 21 in Aggressive Progression of Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Alternative splicing(AS)in the tumor biological process has provided a novel perspective on carcinogenesis.However,the clinical significance of individual AS patterns of adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC)has been underestimated,and in-depth investigations are lacking.We selected 76 ACC samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)SpliceSeq and SpliceAid2 databases,and 39 ACC samples from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center(FUSCC).Prognosis-related AS events(PASEs)and survival analysis were evaluated based on prediction models constructed by machine-learning algorithm.In total,23,984 AS events and 3,614 PASEs were detected in the patients with ACC.The predicted risk score of each patient suggested that eight PASEs groups were significantly correlated with the clinical outcomes of these patients(p<0.001).Prognostic models produced AUC values of 0.907 in all PASEs’groups.Eight splicing factors(SFs),including BAG2,CXorf56,DExD-Box Helicase 21(DDX21),HSPB1,MBNL3,MSI1,RBMXL2,and SEC31B,were identified in regulatory networks of ACC.DDX21 was identified and validated as a novel clinical promoter and therapeutic target in 115 patients with ACC from TCGA and FUSCC cohorts.In conclusion,the strict standards used in this study ensured the systematic discovery of profiles of AS events using genome-wide cohorts.Our findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the landscape and underlying mechanism of AS,providing valuable insights into the potential usages of DDX21 for predict-ing prognosis for patients with ACC.