Rate-limiting factors in hydrate decomposition through depressurization across various scales:A mini-review

Natural gas hydrate is an energy resource for methane that has a carbon quantity twice more than all traditional fossil fuels combined.However,their practical application in the field has been limited due to the challenges of long-term preparation,high costs and associated risks.Experimental studies,on the other hand,offer a safe and cost-effective means of exploring the mechanisms of hydrate dissociation and optimizing exploitation conditions.Gas hydrate decomposition is a complicated process along with intrinsic kinetics,mass transfer and heat transfer,which are the influencing factors for hydrate decomposition rate.The identification of the rate-limiting factor for hydrate dissociation during depressurization varies with the scale of the reservoir,making it challenging to extrapolate findings from laboratory experiments to the actual exploitation.This review aims to summarize current knowledge of investigations on hydrate decomposition on the subject of the research scale(core scale,middle scale,large scale and field tests)and to analyze determining factors for decomposition rate,considering the various research scales and their associated influencing factors.

Factors affecting land dissection density in geomorphological regions of China

Land dissection density(LDD)provides morphological evidence regarding prior intense soil erosion and quantifies the distribution of land dissections.A comprehensive understanding of the potential factors influencing the spatial pattern and value of the LDD is vital in geological disasters,soil erosion,and other related domains.Land dissection phenomena in China affects large areas with different morphological,pedological,and climatic characteristics.Prior studies have focused on the potential factors influencing the LDD at a watershed scale.However,these results are insufficient to reflect the status quo of dissection development and its primary influencing factors on a national scale.LDD’s spatial patterns and the dominant factors at a regional scale in millions of square kilometers remain to be ascertained.This study used the geomorphon-based method and the geographical detector model to quantify the spatial pattern of LDD over China and identify the dominant factors affecting this pattern in China’s six first-order geomorphological regions(GR1~GR6).The results yield the following findings:(1)LDD in China ranges from 0~4.55 km/km^(2),which is larger in central and eastern regions than in other regions of China;(2)dominant factors and their dominant risk subcategories vary with each geomorphological region’s primary internal and external forces;(3)the influence of natural factors is more significant on the large regional scale in millions of square kilometers compared to anthropogenic factors;relief degree of land surface(RDLS)is dominant in GR1,GR2,and GR5;the slope is dominant in GR6,soil type is dominant in GR3 and GR4,and lithology plays a critical role in the dominant interactions of GR3,GR4,and GR6;(4)the interactions between factors on LDD’s spatial pattern have a more significant effect than individual factors.

Clinical effects of nonconvulsive electrotherapy combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction and changes of serum inflammatory factors in depression

BACKGROUND Depression is a common and serious psychological condition,which seriously affects individual well-being and functional ability.Traditional treatment methods include drug therapy and psychological counseling;however,these methods have different degrees of side effects and limitations.In recent years,nonconvulsive electrotherapy(NET)has attracted increasing attention as a noninvasive treatment method.However,the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of NET on depression are still unclear.We hypothesized that NET has a positive clinical effect in the treatment of depression,and may have a regulatory effect on serum inflammatory factors during treatment.AIM To assess the effects of NET on depression and analyze changes in serum inflammatory factors.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 140 patients undergoing treatment for depression between May 2017 and June 2022,the observation group that received a combination of mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR)and NET treatment(n=70)and the control group that only received MBSR therapy(n=70).The clinical effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by assessing various factors,including the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)-17,self-rating idea of suicide scale(SSIOS),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),and levels of serum inflammatory factors before and after 8 wk of treatment.The quality of life scores between the two groups were compared.Comparisons were made using t and χ^(2) tests.RESULTS After 8 wk of treatment,the observation group exhibited a 91.43%overall effectiveness rate which was higher than that of the control group which was 74.29%(64 vs 52,χ^(2)=7.241;P<0.05).The HAMD,SSIOS,and PSQI scores showed a significant decrease in both groups.Moreover,the observation group had lower scores than the control group(10.37±2.04 vs 14.02±2.16,t=10.280;1.67±0.28 vs 0.87±0.12,t=21.970;5.29±1.33 vs 7.94±1.35,t=11.700;P both<0.001).Additionally,there was a notable decrease in the IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6 in both groups after treatment.Furthermore,the observation group exhibited superior serum inflammatory factors compared to the control group(70.12±10.32 vs 102.24±20.21,t=11.840;19.35±2.46 vs 22.27±2.13,t=7.508;32.25±4.6 vs 39.42±4.23,t=9.565;P both<0.001).Moreover,the observation group exhibited significantly improved quality of life scores compared to the control group(Social function:19.25±2.76 vs 16.23±2.34;Emotions:18.54±2.83 vs 12.28±2.16;Environment:18.49±2.48 vs 16.56±3.44;Physical health:19.53±2.39 vs 16.62±3.46;P both<0.001)after treatment.CONCLUSION MBSR combined with NET effectively alleviates depression,lowers inflammation(IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6),reduces suicidal thoughts,enhances sleep,and improves the quality of life of individuals with depression.

Adaptive projective synchronization with different scaling factors in networks

We study projective synchronization with different scaling factors （PSDF） in N coupled chaotic systems networks. By using the adaptive linear control, some sufficient criteria for the PSDF in symmetrical and asymmetrical coupled networks are separately given based on the Lyapunov function method and the left eigenvalue theory. Numerical simulations for a generalized chaotic unified system are illustrated to verify the theoretical results.

Anisotropic Behavior of Cosmological Models with Exponential and Hyperbolic Scale Factors

In this paper, the cosmological models of the universe are constructed in gravity with choice of the functional in the form ?and . The space-time considered here is Bianchi Type I and the energy momentum tensor is in the form of perfect fluid. Two cosmological models are presented using a power form of exponential function and a hyperbolic form. The energy conditions along with the state finder diagnostic pair have been obtained and analyzed.

Modified projective synchronization with complex scaling factors of uncertain real chaos and complex chaos

To increase the variety and security of communication, we present the definitions of modified projective synchronization with complex scaling factors （CMPS） of real chaotic systems and complex chaotic systems, where complex scaling factors establish a link between real chaos and complex chaos. Considering all situations of unknown parameters and pseudo-gradient condition, we design adaptive CMPS schemes based on the speed-gradient method for the real drive chaotic system and complex response chaotic system and for the complex drive chaotic system and the real response chaotic system, respectively. The convergence factors and dynamical control strength are added to regulate the convergence speed and increase robustness. Numerical simulations verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the presented schemes.

First Principal Treatment of Size of Inflaton Potential, Inflaton Mass, Scale Factors, and Frequency of Emitted Radiation, Using Linde and Padmanabhan Models of Early Cosmology and BEC

Using a Linde reference, as well as another one from Padmanabhan for calculation of how the early universe expands, we obtain, by default the coefficient of scale factor expansion, t to the alpha value, with alpha being approximately the square root of five in value. We from there make an estimate as to the number of initial particles produced in the very beginning, which leads us to conclude that a graviton, would be a preferred initial by product. The argument as to gravitons, also reflects a choice of how the decay of initial BEC condensates of Planck sized black holes would commence, using the work produced by Chavanis, as to BEC condensates and black holes. The object will be to obtain initial frequency spread plus strength of GW production plus a suggestion as to what polarization state may be accessible from initial conditions.

Influential Factors on Economic Benefit of Rice Farmers

[Objective] This study was to provide references for the improvement of agricultural economic benefit by analyzing the main factors on influencing the economic benefit of rice farmer. [Method] Field survey was carried out on 300 rice farmers in Suizhou, Wuxue and Xiaogan of Hubei Province. Through the descriptive statistics to the production input and output data of the sample farmers, the econometric model was established to conduct empirical test on the economic benefit of rice farmer and the influential factors. The optimal production scale for rice farmer was also estimated, and through the theoretical and empirical analysis of the optimal production scale, countermeasures were put forward with the aim to promote economic benefit of rice farmer. [Result] The application of fertilizer affected the economic benefit most, followed by the planting area; food policy, farming population and average economic income per capita had significant effects on the economic benefit of rice production; economic benefit was beneficial for cost control. [Conclusion] This study had great practical and instructive significance for stabilizing national food production, ensuring regional and national food safety.

New scale factor correction scheme for CORDIC algorithm

To overcome the drawbacks such as irregular circuit construction and low system throughput that exist in conventional methods, a new factor correction scheme for coordinate rotation digital computer（ CORDIC） algorithm is proposed. Based on the relationship between the iteration formulae, a new iteration formula is introduced, which leads the correction operation to be several simple shifting and adding operations. As one key part, the effects caused by rounding error are analyzed mathematically and it is concluded that the effects can be degraded by an appropriate selection of coefficients in the iteration formula. The model is then set up in Matlab and coded in Verilog HDL language. The proposed algorithm is also synthesized and verified in field-programmable gate array （FPGA）. The results show that this new scheme requires only one additional clock cycle and there is no change in the elementary iteration for the same precision compared with the conventional algorithm. In addition, the circuit realization is regular and the change in system throughput is very minimal.

Intra-annual stem diameter growth of Tamarix ramosissima and association with hydroclimatic factors in the lower reaches of China's Heihe River

High-resolution observations of cambial phenology and intra-annual growth dynamics are useful approaches for understanding the response of tree growth to climate and environmental change. During the past two decades, rapid socioeconomic development has increased the demand for water resources in the oases of the middle reaches of the Heihe River in northwestern China, and the lower reaches of the Heihe River have changed from a perennial river to an ephemeral stream with a decreased and degraded riparian zone. Tamarisk（Tamarix ramosissima） is the dominant shrub species of the desert riparian forest. In this study, the daily and seasonal patterns of tamarisk stem diameter growth, including the main period of tree ring formation, were examined. Observations concerning the driving forces of growth changes, along with implications for the ecology of the dendrohydrological area and management of desert riparian forests in similar arid regions, are also presented. The diurnal-seasonal activity of stem diameter and the dynamics of growth ring formation were studied using a point dendrometer and micro-coring methods during the 2012 growing season in shrub tamarisk in a desert riparian forest stand in the lower reaches of the Heihe River in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia of northwestern China. Generally, the variation in diurnal diameter of tamarisk was characterized by an unstable multi-peak pattern, with the cumulative stem diameter growth over the growing season following an S-shaped curve. The period from late May to early August was the main period of stem diameter growth and growth-ring formation. Among all of the hydroclimatic factors considered in this study, only groundwater depth was significantly correlated with stem diameter increment during this period. Therefore, for the dendrochronological study, the annual rings of the tamarisk can be used to reconstruct processes that determine the regional water regime, such as river runoff and fluctuations in groundwater depth. For the management of desert riparian forests, suitable groundwater depths must be maintained in the spring and summer to sustain tree health and a suitable stand structure.

Effect of radiation-induced mean wavelength shift in optical fibers on the scale factor of an interferometric fiber optic gyroscope at a wavelength of 1300 nm

In order to analyze the effect of wavelength-dependent radiation-induced attenuation （RIA） on the mean trans- mission wavelength in optical fiber and the scale factor of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes （IFOGs）, three types of polarization-maintaining （PM） fibers are tested by using a 60Co γ-radiation source. The observed different mean wave- length shift （MWS） behaviors for different fibers are interpreted by color-center theory involving dose rate-dependent absorption bands in ultraviolet and visible ranges and total dose-dependent near-infrared absorption bands. To evaluate the mean wavelength variation in a fiber coil and the induced scale factor change for space-borne IFOGs under low radiation doses in a space environment, the influence of dose rate on the mean wavelength is investigated by testing four germanium （Ge） doped fibers and two germanium-phosphorus （Ge-P） codoped fibers irradiated at different dose rates. Experimental results indicate that the Ge-doped fibers show the least mean wavelength shift during irradiation and their mean wavelength of optical signal transmission in fibers will shift to a shorter wavelength in a low-dose-rate radiation environment. Finally, the change in the scale factor of IFOG resulting from the mean wavelength shift is estimated and tested, and it is found that the significant radiation-induced scale factor variation must be considered during the design of space-borne IFOGs.

Improvements of corner frequency and scaling factor for stochastic finite-fault modeling

In this paper, three existing source spectral models for stochastic finite-fault modeling of ground motion were reviewed. These three models were used to calculate the far-field received energy at a site from a vertical fault and the mean spectral ratio over 15 stations of the Northridge earthquake, and then compared. From the comparison, a necessary measure was observed to maintain the far-field received energy independent of subfault size and avoid overestimation of the long- period spectra/level. Two improvements were made to one of the three models （i.e., the model based on dynamic comer frequency） as follows： （i） a new method to compute the subfault comer frequency was proposed, where the subfault comer frequency is determined based on a basic value calculated from the total seismic moment of the entire fault and an increment depending on the seismic moment assigned to the subfault; and （ii） the difference of the radiation energy from each suhfault was considered into the scaling factor. The improved model was also compared with the unimproved model through the far-field received energy and the mean spectral ratio. The comparison proves that the improved model allows the received energy to be more independent of subfault size than the unimproved model, and decreases the overestimation degree of the long-period spectral amplitude.

Estimation of random errors for lidar based on noise scale factor

Estimation of random errors, which are due to shot noise of photomultiplier tube(PMT) or avalanche photodiode(APD) detectors, is very necessary in lidar observation. Due to the Poisson distribution of incident electrons, there still exists a proportional relationship between standard deviation and square root of its mean value. Based on this relationship,noise scale factor(NSF) is introduced into the estimation, which only needs a single data sample. This method overcomes the distractions of atmospheric fluctuations during calculation of random errors. The results show that this method is feasible and reliable.

Evaluation of Stress Intensity Factors for Multiple Cracked Circular Disks Under Crack Surface Tractions with SBFEM

Stress intensity factors （SIFs） for the cracked circular disks under different distributing surface tractions are evaluated with the scaled boundary finite element method （SBFEM）. In the SBFEM, the analytical advantage of the solution in the radial direction allows SIFs to be directly determined from its definition, therefore no special crack-tip treatment is necessary. Furthermore anisotropic material behavior can be treated easily. Different distributions of surface tractions are considered for the center and double-edge-cracked disks. The benchmark examples are modeled and an excellent agreement between the results in the present study and those in published literature is found. It shows that SBFEM is effective and possesses high accuracy. The SIFs of the cracked orthotropic material circular disks subjected to different surface tractions are also evaluated. The technique of substructure is applied to handle the multiple cracks problem.

Evaluation of Stress Intensity Factors Subjected to Arbitrarily Distributed Tractions on Crack Surfaces

The stress intensity factors （SIF） considering arbitrarily distributed surface tractions are evaluated based on the sealed boundary finite element method （SBFEM）. The semi-analytical solving process for the stress intensity factors including the effects of surface tractions is presented. Provided are the numerical examples for the evaluation of mode I and Ⅱ stress intensity factors with linear and non-linear distributing forces loaded on the crack surfaces. The crack problems of anisotropy and bimaterial interface are also studied and the stress intensity factors of single-edge-cracked orthotropic material and bi-material interface problems with surface tractions are calculated. Comparisons with the analytical solutions show that the proposed approach is effective and possesses high accuracy.

Community phylogenetic structure of grasslands and its relationship with environmental factors on the Mongolian Plateau

The community assembly rules and species coexistence have always been interested by ecologists. The community phylogenetic structure is the consequence of the interaction process between the organisms and the abiotic environment and has been used to explain the relative impact of abiotic and biotic factors on species co-existence. In recent years, grassland degradation and biodiversity loss have become increasingly severe on the Mongolian Plateau, while the drivers for these changes are not clearly explored, especially whether climate change is a main factor is debated in academia. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic structure of grassland communities along five transects of climate aridity on the Mongolian Plateau, and analyzed their relations with environmental factors, with the aims to understand the formation mechanism of the grassland communities and the role of climatic factors. We surveyed grassland communities at 81 sites along the five transects, and calculated their net relatedness index(NRI) at two different quadrat scales(small scale of 1 m2 and large scale of 5 m2) to characterize the community phylogenetic structure and analyze its relationship with the key 11 environmental factors. We also calculated the generalized UniFrac distance(GUniFrac) among the grassland communities to quantify the influence of spatial distance and environmental distance on the phylogenetic β diversity. The results indicated that plant community survey using the large scale quadrat contained sufficient species to represent community compositions. The community phylogenetic structure of grasslands was significantly overdispersed at both the small and large scales, and the degree of overdispersion was greater at the large scale than at the small scale, suggesting that competitive exclusion instead of habitat filtering played a major role in determination of community composition. Altitude was the main factor affecting the community phylogenetic structure, whereas climatic factors, such as precipitation and temperature, had limited influence. The principal component analysis of the 11 environmental factors revealed that 94.04% of their variation was accounted by the first four principal components. Moreover only 14.29% and 23.26% of the variation in community phylogenetic structure were explained by the first four principal components at the small and large scales, respectively. Phylogenetic β diversity was slightly significantly correlated with both spatial distance and environmental distance, however, environmental distance had a less explanatory power than spatial distance, indicating a limited environmental effect on the community phylogenetic structure of grasslands on the Mongolian Plateau. In view of the limited effect of climatic factors on the community phylogenetic structure of grasslands, climate change may have a smaller impact on grassland degradation than previously thought.

Modifed Multifdelity Surrogate Model Based on Radial Basis Function with Adaptive Scale Factor

Multifdelity surrogates(MFSs)replace computationally intensive models by synergistically combining information from diferent fdelity data with a signifcant improvement in modeling efciency.In this paper,a modifed MFS(MMFS)model based on a radial basis function(RBF)is proposed,in which two fdelities of information can be analyzed by adaptively obtaining the scale factor.In the MMFS,an RBF was employed to establish the low-fdelity model.The correlation matrix of the high-fdelity samples and corresponding low-fdelity responses were integrated into an expansion matrix to determine the scaling function parameters.The shape parameters of the basis function were optimized by minimizing the leave-one-out cross-validation error of the high-fdelity sample points.The performance of the MMFS was compared with those of other MFS models(MFS-RBF and cooperative RBF)and single-fdelity RBF using four benchmark test functions,by which the impacts of diferent high-fdelity sample sizes on the prediction accuracy were also analyzed.The sensitivity of the MMFS model to the randomness of the design of experiments(DoE)was investigated by repeating sampling plans with 20 diferent DoEs.Stress analysis of the steel plate is presented to highlight the prediction ability of the proposed MMFS model.This research proposes a new multifdelity modeling method that can fully use two fdelity sample sets,rapidly calculate model parameters,and exhibit good prediction accuracy and robustness.

Numerical Study on Scale Effect of Form Factor for DTMB5415, KCS,KVLCC2, and 4000TEU Container Ship

Four ships,a twin-propeller naval ship,two single-propeller container ships,and a single-propeller very large crude carrier(VLCC),were studied to investigate the scale effect of the form factor.The viscous flow fields of the ships at different scales were solved numerically via the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes method combined with the shear stress transport k–ωturbulence model.The numerical method was validated through comparisons with experimental data,and numerical uncertainty analysis was carried out based on the ITTC recommended procedure.On this basis,scale effects of the form factor were analyzed using different friction lines,and scale effects of flow fields and the mean axial wake fractions were further analyzed in details.The results showed that the form factor exhibited scale effects when adopting the ITTC-1957 line,and it increased with the increase in the Reynolds number.The scale effect of the form factor reduces the prediction precision of the full-scale ship resistance.The friction line has a significant effect on the form factor.The form factor exhibits little dependence on the Reynolds number when using the numerical friction line or the Katsui line,which is useful for full-scale ship resistance predictions.With the increasing Reynolds number,the boundary layer thickness becomes thinner and the axial velocity contour contracts toward the center plane,and there is nearly a linear relationship between the reciprocal of mean axial wake fraction on propeller disc and Reynolds number in logarithmic scale for the three types of ship forms.

Controlling factors of remaining oil distribution after water flooding and enhanced oil recovery methods for fracturecavity carbonate reservoirs in Tahe Oilfield

Based on comprehensive analysis of core, well logging, seismic and production data, the multi-scale reservoir space, reservoir types, spatial shape and distribution of fractures and caves, and the configuration relationship with production wells in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs were studied systematically, the influence of them on the distribution of residual oil was analyzed, and the main controlling factors mode of residual oil distribution after water flooding was established. Enhanced oil recovery methods were studied considering the development practice of Tahe oilfield. Research shows that the main controlling factors of residual oil distribution after water flooding in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs can be classified into four categories: local high point, insufficient well control, flow channel shielding and weak hydrodynamic. It is a systematic project to improve oil recovery in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs. In the stage of natural depletion, production should be well regulated to prevent bottom water channeling. In the early stage of waterflooding, injection-production relationship should be constructed according to reservoir type, connectivity and spatial location to enhance control and producing degree of waterflooding and minimize remaining oil. In the middle and late stage, according to the main controlling factors and distribution characteristics of remaining oil after water flooding, remaining oil should be tapped precisely by making use of gravity differentiation and capillary force imbibition, enhancing well control, disturbing the flow field and so on. Meanwhile, backup technologies of reservoir stimulation, new injection media, intelligent optimization etc. should be developed, smooth shift from water injection to gas injection should be ensured to maximize oil recovery.

The key environmental factors driving the succession of phytoplankton functional groups in Hongfeng Reservoir, southwest China

Reservoirs are an important water source in many densely populated areas in southwest China.Phytoplankton play an essential role in maintaining the structure and function of reservoir ecosystems.Understanding the succession in phytoplankton communities and the factors driving it are essential for eff ective water quality management in drinking water reservoirs.In this study,water samples were collected monthly at the surface layers from March 2016 to December 2019 in Hongfeng Reservoir,southwest China.The relationship between functional group succession was analyzed based on nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis(NMDS),redundancy analysis(RDA),succession rate,and other analysis methods.The results showed distinct shifts in the community structure of phytoplankton functional groups within study period.The Cyclotella sp.was dominant in 2016 and 2017,and Pseudanabaena limnetica was the dominant group in 2018 and 2019.It appears that the phytoplankton composition and biomass are closely related to the water temperature and nutrient status in this reservoir.The results clearly showed that the permanganate index(COD_(Mn))was the key factor of dramatic phytoplankton functional group succession,and the change in succession rates was closely caused by total nitrogen concentration(TN).Therefore,the succession pattern and key factors of Hongfeng Reservoir revealed in this study were important guidance for the management of drinking water reservoirs in southwest China.A reasonable limit on exogenous nutrient input should be a priority,especially in high water temperature period.