Influences of water treatment agents on oil-water interfacial properties of oilfield produced water

The emulsion stability of oilfield produced water is related to the oil-water interfacial film strength and the zeta potential of the oil droplets. We investigated the effects of water treatment agents （corrosion inhibitor SL-2, scale inhibitor HEDP, germicide 1227, and flocculant polyaluminium chloride PAC） on the stability of oilfield produced water. The influence of these treatment agents on oil-water interfacial properties and the mechanism of these agents acting on the oilfield produced water were studied by measuring the interfacial shear viscosity, interfacial tension and zeta electric potential. The results indicated that the scale inhibitor HEDP could increase the oil-water interfacial film strength, and it could also increase the absolute value of the zeta potential of oil droplets. HEDP played an important role in the stability of the emulsion. Polyaluminum chloride （PAC） reduced the stability of the emulsion by considerably decreasing the absolute value of the zeta potential of oil droplets. Corrosion inhibitor SL-2 and germicide 1227 could decrease the oil-water interfacial tension, whereas they had little influence on oil-water interfacial shear viscosity and oil-water interfacial electricity properties.

Use of Oral Agents and/or Insulin in the Treatment of Diabetes during Pregnancy: An Examination of Outcomes in Pregestational versus Gestational Diabetics

The management of diabetes in pregnancy varies depending on whether the condition was first diagnosed during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or was diagnosed before pregnancy (pregestational diabetes). Little has been published comparing the relative efficacy of various oral agents for the treatment of gestational diabetes and the reported experience with the insulin pump in pregnancy for pregestational diabetes remains meager. We conducted a retrospective chart review of women managed in a specialized diabetic clinic to compare the results of treatment of gestational diabetes with oral agents, glyburide and acarbose, to those treated with split-mixed insulin and treatment of pregestational diabetes with either the insulin pump or conventional splitmixed insulin. Gestational diabetics treated with split-mixed insulin were hospitalized significantly more often (p < 0.001) than those treated with oral agents only. The incidence of several important pregnancy complications (growth restriction, preterm labor, preeclampsia, oligohydramnios) did not differ between groups. Pregestational diabetics managed with an insulin pump had comparable glycemic control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c, to those managed with split-mixed insulin. Infant birth weights and Apgar scores were similar in each group. There were no perinatal deaths in either group. Acarbose and glyburide showed comparable efficacy in treating gestational diabetics. In addition, our experience adds to the small number of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes who were managed with an insulin pump that have been reported in the literature.

Preliminary Findings on the Use of Targeted Therapy with Pazopanib and Other Agents in Combination with Sodium Phenylbutyrate in the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

The most common and aggressive type of brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The prognosis for GBM remains poor with a five-year survival rate between 1% and 2%. The prospects for patients with recurrent GBM (RGBM) are much worse, with the majority dying within 6 months. This publication provides a brief description of the treatment of 11 GBM patients treated with sodium phenylbutyrate (PB) in combination with pazopanib, m-TOR inhibitors, and other agents. The treatment was associated with tolerable side effects and resulted in objective responses in 54.5% of cases (complete response 18.2%, partial response 36.3%) and 27.3% cases of stable disease. The preferable treatment regimen consisted of PB, pazopanib, dasatinib, everolimus, and bevacizumab (BVZ). For various reasons not all patients were compliant with the treatment regimen. In patients who strictly complied with the treatment plan, all responded as CR or PR. Based on preliminary findings, the authors propose further phase I/II clinical trials with PB in combination with pazopanib, dasatinib, everolimus, and BVZ in patients with RGBM who failed standard surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. With proper dose reductions, the treatment appears to be well-tolerated. Molecular profiling of patient subgroups with favorable genomic signatures may help to select patients for future studies.

Protection and Treatment of Landscape Plant Secondary Disasters (Deicing Agent Damage) Caused by Extreme Weather

Deicing agent is always applied to alleviate urban traffic pressure after snowing in winter,however,such a snow melting agent is extremely harmful for landscape plants.To eliminate or avoid such damages,we have been actively exploring protection and treatment means.By analyzing the protection of landscape plants before using the deicing agent and the treatment after being damaged by the salt,the paper described how landscaping industry of Beijing handled extreme weather and influence of certain urban environment on landscape plants in a high-efficiency and low-cost way,and then figured out the balance point of normal social life and healthy development of ecological environment.

Study of Water Treatment Residue Used as a Profile Control Agent

A large amount of residue from the water treatment process has gradually accumulated and thus caused serious environmental pollution in waterflood oilfields. The water treatment residue is a grey suspension, with a density of 1.08 g/cm^3, and mainly contains over 65% of light CaCO3, MgCO3, CaSO4, Fe2S3 and Ca（OH）2. This paper ascertains the effect of water treatment residue on core permeability and its application in oilfields. Coreflooding tests in laboratory were conducted in two artificial cores and one natural core. Core changes were evaluated by cast model image analysis, mercury injection method and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Fresh water was injected into another natural core, which was plugged with water treatment residue, to determine the effective life. The results indicate that the water treatment residue has a strongly plugging capability, a resistance to erosion and a long effective life, and thus it can be used as a cheap raw material for profile control. In the past 8 years, a total of 60,164 m^3 of water treatment residue has been used for profile control of 151 well treatments, with a success ratio of 98% and an effective ratio of 83.2%. In the field tests, the profile control agent increased both starting pressure and injection pressure of injectors, and decreased the apparent water injectivity coefficient, significantly improving intake profiles and lengthening average service life of injectors. 28,381 tons of additional oil were recovered from these corresponding oil wells, with economic benefits of ￥3,069.55×10^4 （RMB） and a remarkable input-output ratio of 8.6：1.

污水处理智能化系统的Multi-Agent通信技术与实现

Agent通信是Multi-Agent系统能否高效运行的关键技术之一。FIPA-ACL是最新的Agent通信语言。为实现基于Multi-Agent的污水处理智能化系统中各Agent间的交互、协商与合作,解决污水处理这一复杂工业过程的控制问题,通过分析FIPA-ACL规范集合的系统组成、通信机制等,提出了一种基于FIPA-ACL的污水处理智能化系统的Multi-Agent通信技术,确定了其通信方式、通信策略与通信协议,并给出了具本实现方法。

基于Agent的城市污水处理可持续发展工艺选型定量建模研究

从可持续发展的角度分析和研究中国目前的城市污水处理工艺,选出符合中国国情的工艺流程日益成为迫切需要解决的问题。在广泛调研和资料分析的基础上,基于可持续发展的原则,通过对中国城市污水处理的现状进行分析,建立了可供筛选的处理技术数据库,并通过基于生命周期的Agent模型,对每项组合工艺流程进行功能模拟和性能评价,按照所建立的评价模型和指标体系,综合考察各项处理工艺的污染物处理水平、投资成本和附属产物的环境影响等因素。按照可持续发展的技术准则进行判定,从而选择满足可持续发展要求的城市污水处理组合工艺。

基于多Agent架构的电厂化学制水流程优化控制

为了进一步提高燃气蒸汽热电厂的化学制水效率,并且提高制水流程的信息化程度,针对燃气热电厂化学制水这一重要的生产流程开展相应控制架构的优化升级研究,研究中兼顾化学制水对电厂运行的可控性及安全性起到直接的制约作用,水的品质影响发电厂热力设备安全、经济运行的重要因素。在电厂当前APS联锁分布式自动控制系统的基础上,提出一种基于多Agent系统的智能化学制水管控模型。该模型采用分层结构对分布式水处理系统进行分散递阶控制,并以信息管理系统为主线,实现对下设系统模型层、响应层及评估管理层任务Agent的综合管理与控制,从而有效提高水处理工艺过程的自动控制程度和精准管理水平。

Update on the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

To achieve good metabolic control in diabetes and keep long term, a combination of changes in lifestyle and pharmacological treatment is necessary. Achieving near-normal glycated hemoglobin significantly, decreases risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. At present there are different treatments, both oral and injectable, available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Treatment algorithms designed to reduce the development or progression of the complications of diabetes emphasizes the need for good glycaemic control. The aim of this review is to perform an update on the benefits and limitations of different drugs, both current and future, for the treatment of T2 DM. Initial intervention should focus on lifestyle changes. Moreover, changes in lifestyle have proven to be beneficial, but for many patients is a complication keep long term. Physicians should be familiar with the different types of existing drugs for the treatment of diabetes and select the most effective, safe and better tolerated by patients. Metformin remains the first choice of treatment for most patients. Other alternative or second-line treatment options should be individualized depending on the characteristics of each patient. This article reviews the treatments available for patients with T2 DM, with an emphasis on agents introduced within the last decade.

New approaches in the treatment of hepatitis C

About 130-170 million people, is estimated to be infected with the hepatitis C virus(HCV). Chronic HCV infection is one of the leading causes of liverrelated death and in many countries it is the primaryreason for having a liver transplant. The main aim of antiviral treatment is to eradicate the virus. Until a few years ago the only treatment strategy was based on the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin(PEG/RBV). However, in genotypes 1 and 4 the rates of viral response did not surpass 50%, reaching up to 80% in the rest. In 2011 approval was given for the first direct acting antiviral agents(DAA), boceprevir and telaprevir, for treatment of genotype 1, in combination with traditional dual therapy. This strategy managed to increase the rates of sustained viral response(SVR) in both naive patients and in retreated patients, but with greater toxicity, interactions and cost, as well as being less safe in patients with advanced disease, in whom this treatment can trigger decompensation or even death. The recent, accelerated incorporation since 2013 of new more effective DAA, with pan-genomic properties and excellent tolerance, besides increasing the rates of SVR(even up to 100%), has also created a new scenario: shorter therapies, less toxicity and regimens free of PEG/RBV. This has enabled their almost generalised applicability in all patients. However, it should be noted that most of the scientific evidence available is based on expert opinion, case-control series, cohort studies and phase 2 and 3 trials, some with a reduced number of patients and select groups. Few data are currently available about the use of these drugs in daily clinical practice, particularly in relation to the appearance of side effects and interactions with other drugs, or their use in special populations or persons with the less common genotypes. This situation suggests the need for the generalised implementation of registries of patients receiving antiviral therapy. The main inconvenience of these new drugs is their high cost. This necessitates selection and prioritization of candidate patients to receive them, via strategies established by the various national organs, in accordance with the recommendations of scientific societies.

Remodeling dendritic spines for treatment of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is an important global public health problem.Traumatic brain injury not only causes neural cell death,but also induces dendritic spine degeneration.Spared neurons from cell death in the injured brain may exhibit dendrite damage,dendritic spine degeneration,mature spine loss,synapse loss,and impairment of activity.Dendritic degeneration and synapse loss may significantly contribute to functional impairments and neurological disorders following traumatic brain injury.Normal function of the nervous system depends on maintenance of the functionally intact synaptic connections between the presynaptic and postsynaptic spines from neurons and their target cells.During synaptic plasticity,the numbers and shapes of dendritic spines undergo dynamic reorganization.Enlargement of spine heads and the formation and stabilization of new spines are associated with long-term potentiation,while spine shrinkage and retraction are associated with long-term depression.Consolidation of memory is associated with remodeling and growth of preexisting synapses and the formation of new synapses.To date,there is no effective treatment to prevent dendritic degeneration and synapse loss.This review outlines the current data related to treatments targeting dendritic spines that propose to enhance spine remodeling and improve functional recovery after traumatic brain injury.The mechanisms underlying proposed beneficial effects of therapy targeting dendritic spines remain elusive,possibly including blocking activation of Cofilin induced by beta amyloid,Ras activation,and inhibition of GSK-3 signaling pathway.Further understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic degeneration/loss following traumatic brain injury will advance the understanding of the pathophysiology induced by traumatic brain injury and may lead to the development of novel treatments for traumatic brain injury.

Drug treatment of male fertility disorders

Drug treatment remains an active domain in the therapy of male fertility disorders. Although there are only a fewconditions that allow causal treatment, rational approaches are possible in many cases. Best results are obtained in casesrequiring an anti-inflammatory treatment and in patients with an impaired sperm transport. High-dosage administrationof FSH is a promising new development, aimed particularly at improving the disturbed sperm structures. A careful di-agnostic work-up with elucidation of the underlying disease is essential to achieve a successful therapy.

A Case of Sustained Objective Response of Recurrent/Progressive Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma with Phenylbutyrate and Targeted Agents

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the most common type of brainstem glioma and one of the most deadly brain tumors. DIPG in young adult patients is a rare disease for which treatment options are limited. Radiation therapy remains the standard-of-care for newly-diagnosed DIPG, but no established therapies for recurrent disease are available. This paper describes the results of treatment of a young adult patient diagnosed with DIPG that progressed after radiation therapy. Therapy included sodium phenylbutyrate (PB) in combination with the targeted agents: pazopanib, everolimus, erlotinib, and bevacizumab. The patient achieved a rapid partial response, which persisted over a year and five months. The patient opted to discontinue the therapy and thereafter elected chemotherapy, which resulted in a subsequent rapid progression and death within one month. The targeted treatment was associated with minor toxicity that included a Grade 2 skin rash and Grade 1 elevation of transaminases. In conclusion, a combination of PB and currently available targeted drugs may offer extended survival in patients with recurrent DIPG.

Comparison of Alkaline Treatment of Lead Contaminated Wastewater Using Lime and Sodium Hydroxide

A lead-acid storage battery manufacturing industry in India produces several thousand liters of lead con-taminated acidic wastewater on a daily basis and uses hydrated lime to render the lead-contaminated acidic wastewater alkaline (pH = 8.0). Alkaline treatment of the acidic wastewater with lime though a cost-effective method, generates copious amount of lead-contaminated gypsum sludge. Other alkali agents such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and dolomite are also used for alkali treatment of the acid wastewaters. The present paper compares the relative efficiency of hydrated lime and 0.05 M to 1 M NaOH solutions with re-spect to 1) amounts of sludge produced, 2) immobilization of the soluble lead in the acidic wastewater (AWW) and 3) increase in TDS (total dissolved solids) levels upon treatment of AWW with NaOH solutions and lime. The study also performs equilibrium speciation upon alkaline treatment of AWW with lime and NaOH (sodium hydroxide) solutions using the Visual MINTEQ program to understand the chemical reac-tions occurring during treatment process.

Current treatment of chronic hepatitis C in China: Dilemma and potential problems

Major advances have been made in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection with the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs). China has the most cases of HCV infection worldwide, but none of the DAAs has been approved in China's Mainland so far, and interferon(IFN)-α-based treatment remains the standard of care. HCV patients without response or with contraindications to IFN-based therapy have no alternative options. However, many patients buy DAAs, especially the generic forms of sofosbuvir, from other countries or areas. Under these circumstances, the use of these drugs may cause many predictable and unpredictable problems in ethics, law and medical practice. Given the obstacles of legal accessibility to DAAs and the potential problems of obtaining and using DAAs in China, the early launching of the DAAs in China or the legalization of buying drugs from areas outside China and using these drugs in China is an urgent issue and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible, in the interest of the patients.

Does Topical Agent Help Fracture Healing? A Pilot Study Using a Herbal Patch

To observe the safety and effectiveness of a topical herbal agent used to promote fracture healing, a herbal patch containing extracts of three herbs, viz., Flos Carthami, Radix Dipsaci, Rhizoma Rhei and Borneolum Syntheticum (an enhancer) was applied on ten subjects with un-displaced fifth metatarsal fractures. Pain scores, foot and ankle function questionnaires and regional swelling were carefully assessed and recorded. Peripheral blood was taken to measure the inflammation cytokines. Assessment checks were performed biweekly to enforce effective patch application and compliance. The results showed that pain improved after two weeks and fracture sites swelling had 20% reduction in thickness when measured with an ultrasonic tool. Foot and ankle functional scores markedly improved after six weeks. Radiological examinations revealed early perfect fracture unions. The topical herbal patch was effective in promoting fracture healing. It was well tolerated by the fracture patients. Larger randomized controlled trials would be indicated.

基于Multi-Agent的矿井人员疏散数值模拟

煤矿井下发生灾害时,井下应急疏散建模仿真可以验证疏散方案是否合理,从而为救灾逃生提供合理指导。目前在煤矿井下人员疏散研究中,对因个体差异导致不同疏散结果的认识和建模尚有欠缺,并且对不同路权评估方法下最低花费路径的选取也鲜有提及。针对煤矿井下出现安全事故时人员的安全疏散问题,基于Multi-Agent与Dijkstra算法,利用RepastJ3.0开发平台,建立了井下人员安全疏散模型,探讨了井下工作人员对巷道网络拓扑关系的认知差异性对疏散效果的影响,以及不同路权评估方法下最低花费路径的选取策略。疏散模型仿真结果表明,该模型能够直观呈现不同类型井下工作人员的动态疏散过程,可以为井下应急疏散方案的制定提供理论支持。

Antidiabetic treatment:Though lovers be lost,love shall not

The new position statement of the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of antidiabetic treatment.It emphasises the necessity to individualise management based on patient needs.Glycaemic targets should also be pursued on an individualised basis.New therapeutic combinations are discussed,and the uncertainty surrounding the ideal choice is acknowledged.Above all,it is the mindful and experienced clinician who will implement the best available evidence towards flexible and efficacious treatment.Some areas of uncertainty may ensue,but it is expected that the new position statement will improve patient healthcare and treatment satisfaction.This now remains to be seen in practice.

Injectable treatments for female stress urinary incontinence

The use of injectable agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is an option for female patients who are unwilling to undergo surgery,or have concurrent conditions or diseases that render surgical treatment unsuitable.To be effective for SUI,an injectable agent must be nonimmunogenic,hypoallergenic,biocompatible,permanent,nonerosive,nonmigratory and painless.It must also heal with minimal fibrosis,possess a long-term bulking effect,and be easily stored and handled.Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine collagen(Contigen),silicone polymers(Macroplastique),Durasphere,calcium hydroxyapatite(Coaptite),polyacrylamide hydrogel(Aquamid,Bulkamid),Permacol,and stem cell therapy have been used as injectable agents.Patients must be informed that treatment with injectable agents is not as effective as surgical treatment,and that such agents might necessitate additional and repeated administrations in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

三种施药方式对玉米草地贪夜蛾田间防治效果研究

测试不同施药方式对田间玉米草地贪夜蛾的防治效果,为药剂的合理选择和使用提供参考。参照《农药田间药效试验准则》相关标准进行田间试验,采用种子包衣、叶面喷雾、心叶点施等措施,测定3种施药方式对玉米田草地贪夜蛾的防治效果。50%氯虫苯甲酰胺种子处理悬浮剂和40%溴氰虫酰胺·噻虫嗪种子处理悬浮剂在出苗后14 d对草地贪夜幼虫最高防治效果为83.88%和83.84%;甘蓝夜蛾核型多角体病毒和斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的防治效果为88.92%和84.70%;虱螨脲、氟铃脲和杀铃脲的防治效果分别为86.52%、84.26%和81.44%;虫螨腈、四唑虫酰胺、溴虫氟苯双酰胺、乙基多杀菌素和甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐的防治效果均在88%以上。建议种子处理剂+叶面喷雾或种子处理剂+心叶点施的综合防控措施,选取不同作用方式的杀虫剂轮换使用,延缓害虫抗耐药性的产生。