Investigation of pore geometry influence on fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media:A pore-scale study

Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs are renowned for their intricate pore networks and vuggy nature,posing significant challenges in modeling and simulating fluid flow within these carbonate reservoirs.Despite possessing excellent petrophysical properties,such as high porosity and permeability,these reservoirs typically exhibit a notably low recovery factor,sometimes falling below 10%.Previous research has indicated that various enhanced oil recovery(EOR)methods,such as water alternating gas(WAG),can substantially augment the recovery factor in pre-salt reservoirs,resulting in improvements of up to 20%.Nevertheless,the fluid flow mechanism within Brazilian carbonate reservoirs,characterized by complex pore geometry,remains unclear.Our study examines the behavior of fluid flow in a similar heterogeneous porous material,utilizing a plug sample obtained from a vugular segment of a Brazilian stromatolite outcrop,known to share analogies with certain pre-salt reservoirs.We conducted single-phase and multi-phase core flooding experiments,complemented by medical-CT scanning,to generate flow streamlines and evaluate the efficiency of water flooding.Subsequently,micro-CT scanning of the core sample was performed,and two cross-sections from horizontal and vertical plates were constructed.These cross-sections were then employed as geometries in a numerical simulator,enabling us to investigate the impact of pore geometry on fluid flow.Analysis of the pore-scale modeling and experimental data unveiled that the presence of dead-end pores and vugs results in a significant portion of the fluid remaining stagnant within these regions.Consequently,the injected fluid exhibits channeling-like behavior,leading to rapid breakthrough and low areal swept efficiency.Additionally,the numerical simulation results demonstrated that,irrespective of the size of the dead-end regions,the pressure variation within the dead-end vugs and pores is negligible.Despite the stromatolite's favorable petrophysical properties,including relatively high porosity and permeability,as well as the presence of interconnected large vugs,the recovery factor during water flooding remained low due to early breakthrough.These findings align with field data obtained from pre-salt reservoirs,providing an explanation for the observed low recovery factor during water flooding in such reservoirs.

Projections of Precipitation Changes in Two Vulnerable Regions of São Paulo State, Brazil

Weather and climate extremes are part of the natural variability. However, the frequency and intensity of precipitation extremes have increased in the globe following the global warming. Extreme precipitation impacts such as landslides and flooding with implications to vulnerability and adaptation are discussed for two regions of the state of S?o Paulo: the Metropolitan Region of Campinas and the Metropolitan Region of the Baixada Santista, located in southeastern South America. Simulations and projections obtained from four integrations of the Regional Eta model are analyzed to investigate the model behavior during the period of 1961-1990 and the projections within the period of 2011-2100. Uncertainties are discussed based on the standard deviation among the model spread. The projections show precipitation increase in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas during DJF for the near and distant future, while there are more uncertainties in the other seasons. In the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista, the precipitation increase is projected to all seasons, except JJA, when there is higher uncertainty. Daily rainfall indices suggest an increase of precipitation during the rainy days, but a reduction in the number of rainy days in both locations. The projections show a reduction of light rains and an increase of heavy rains at both regions. The model identifies the South Atlantic Convergence Zone and frontal systems as precipitation patterns associated with extremes in the two locations. The results can be useful for adaptation actions, since the regions are highly populated and have high vulnerabilities.

The impact of heterogeneity and pore network characteristics on single and multi-phase fluid propagation in complex porous media:An X-ray computed tomography study

This study investigates the impact of pore network characteristics on fluid flow through complex and heterogeneous porous media,providing insights into the factors affecting fluid propagation in such systems.Specifically,high-resolution or micro X-ray computed tomography(CT)imaging techniques were utilized to examine outcrop stromatolite samples of the Lagoa Salgada,considered flow analogous to the Brazilian Pre-salt carbonate reservoirs.The petrophysical results comprised two distinct stromatolite depositional facies,the columnar and the fine-grained facies.By generating pore network model(PNM),the study quantified the relationship between key features of the porous system,including pore and throat radius,throat length,coordination number,shape factor,and pore volume.The study found that the less dense pore network of the columnar sample is typically characterized by larger pores and wider and longer throats but with a weaker connection of throats to pores.Both facies exhibited less variability in the radius of the pores and throats in comparison to throat length.Additionally,a series of core flooding experiments coupled with medical CT scanning was designed and conducted in the plug samples to assess flow propagation and saturation fields.The study revealed that the heterogeneity and presence of disconnected or dead-end pores significantly impacted the flow patterns and saturation.Two-phase flow patterns and oil saturation distribution reveal a preferential and heterogeneous displacement that mainly swept displaced fluid in some regions of plugs and bypassed it in others.The relation between saturation profiles,porosity profiles,and the number of fluid flow patterns for the samples was evident.Only for the columnar plug sample was the enhancement in recovery factor after shifting to lower salinity water injection(SB)observed.

Sarcopenia and Anemia Are Predictors of Poor Prognostic in Cervical Cancer Patients

Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.

The role of green manure nitrogen use by corn and sugarcane crops in Brazil

Three assays were developed from April 3, 1995 to October 10, 2005. The work with corn was conducted in a greenhouse, using velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) as green manure with 15N labeling of either shoots or roots, in two soils with contrasting textural classes. The mineralization of N from legume plants incorporated into the two soils was investigated too. This work included two green manures: velvet bean and sunn hemp, and the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) residues. Nitrogen from the velvet bean accounted for a greater proportion of the soil inorganic N;shoots were responsible for most of N accumulated. Common bean residues caused immobilization of inorganic N. The leguminous species added were intensively and promptly mineralized, preserving the soil native nitrogen. One hundred days after emergence of the corn, velvet bean provided higher accumulation of nitrogen in the soil, higher absorption by corn plants and accumulation in the aerial part. The green manure decomposition was more intense in the medium textured soil. In this soil, highest nitrogen losses were also observed. The sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) was cultivated for five years in the field and was harvested three times;15N recovery was evaluated in the first two harvests. The combination of inorganic fertilizer and green manure resulted in higher sugarcane yields than either N source applied separately;however, in the second cutting the yields were higher where sunn hemp was used than in plots with ammonium sulfate. The recovery of N by the first two consecutive harvests accounted for 19% to 21% of the N applied as sunn hemp and 46% to 49% of the N applied as ammonium sulfate. Very little inorganic N was present in the 0-40 cm soil layer with both N sources.

Analysis of the histologic features in the differential diagnosis of intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis

AIM:To compare the histologic features of the liver in intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis(IHNC)with infectious,genetic-endocrine-metabolic,and idiopathic etiologies. METHODS:Liver biopsies from 86 infants with IHNC were evaluated.The inclusion criteria consisted of jaundice beginning at 3 mo of age and a hepatic biopsy during the 1st year of life.The following histologic features were evaluated:cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,erythropoiesis,siderosis,portal fibrosis,and the presence of a septum. RESULTS:Based on the diagnosis,patients were classified into three groups:group 1(infectious;n=18),group 2(genetic-endocrine-metabolic;n=18),and group 3(idiopathic;n=50).There were no significant differences with respect to the following variables:cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,siderosis,portalfibrosis,and presence of a septum.A significant difference was observed with respect to erythropoiesis,which was more severe in group 1(Fisher's exact test,P=0.016). CONCLUSION:A significant difference was observed in IHNC of infectious etiology,in which erythropoiesis was more severe than that in genetic-endocrine-metabolic and idiopathic etiologies,whereas there were no significant differences among cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,siderosis,portal fibrosis,and the presence of a septum.

Studies of anthropometric indicators and their relationship with metabolic variables

The purpose of this work is to identify in the anthropometrical indicators used here in this study the percentage of body fat, the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-hip ratio (WHR), which present a correlation with the metabolic variables of heart rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and double product. A population of 69 subjects averaging 41.7 ± 6.6 years old had their data registered by applying the Bruce Protocol modified to calculate metabolic variables;to obtain the percentage of fat, the formula of Petroski was used. The data collected received statistical treatment by the “Statistical 5.0” program with correlation being made by the calculation of the simple coefficient of Pearson “r” by means of a statistical significance test (p < 0.05). In the results, heart rate appeared to be correlated essentially with the intensity of force, associating itself with the percentage of fat and the BMI. Blood pressure presented a good correlation with the BMI, principally in the female group. In the male group, the anthropometrical indicator that had major associations with blood pressure was the WHR, showing an association between the pattern of male body fat distribution (android) and blood pressure. The double-product had a major correlation with the BMI;however, this variable really reflects the work of the myocardium since the BMI is the only indicator used here that includes lean mass in its values. The time spent on the treadmill was correlated in a negative way only with the percentage of fat;in other words, the greater the percentage, the lesser time spent on the treadmill.

Colon Adenocarcinoma Diagnosis in Human Samples by Multicontrast Nonlinear Optical Microscopy of Hematoxylin and Eosin Stained Histological Sections

Combined multimodal nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopies were used to detect and quantify morphological changes associated with stroma and epithelial transformation in colon cancer. Our findings provide complementary information about tissue microstructure, displaying distinctive patterns between normal and malignant human colon. Additionally, we have demonstrated the usefulness of using fixed tissues for the disease diagnostic and prognostic.?The present work provides a framework for using NLO techniques as a clinical diagnostic tool for human colon cancer. NLO metrics could be applied to other disorders, which are characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and collagen assembly.

Differential Diagnosis and Association of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Systemic Erythematous Lupus: A Brief Review

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and lupus erythematosus are multisystem diseases that can affect several organs and systems at different stages of disease evolution. Both diseases share common clinical manifestations, which may lead to diagnostic difficulties, especially at the onset of the disease. Another additional challenge is when there is an association of the two pathologies. The objective of this brief review is to describe the clinical manifestations of the diseases and to make considerations regarding the moment of onset of symptoms. Knowledge of these common manifestations and their peculiarities may alert clinicians to possible diagnoses and avoid errors in the evaluation and conduction of these patients.

The Process of Environmental Institutionalization in Mozambique

The late 1980s began a transition from a centrally planned economic system to a market economy in Mozambique. This transition was marked by a gradual decentralization of public administration and the cross consideration of environmental issues. In our times, research and environmental studies are globally centrals to multiples fields of knowledge, based on this we try to reflect on the process of institutionalization of environmental issues in Mozambique. Our goal is to analytically explorer the political, social and economic contours that allow characterizing the beginning of this process. This article is the result of exploratory research using the qualitative method of analysis. The results showed that the beginning of the environmental issue institutionalization process in Mozambique was the result of various government initiatives and financial demands inherent in the development process, and filled in rhetorical strategies of different styles and motives, being pierced by political conflicts and fmancial, both at the state level as the meagerly existing civil society in this period. In this paper, we present and analyzed the socio-historical circumstances that interspersed the process of environmental institutionalization, indicating exogenous and endogenous factors that proved decisive for the current environmental institutional status in Mozambique.

Economic Analysis of the Use of Restrictive Food Management in the Cultivation of Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)in a Recirculation System

The development of more adequate food programs regarding the intensity and duration of the restriction can be an effective way to minimize the effects of exaggerated food consumption and its negative consequences for the economy of the business.In this sense,juvenile Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)(137±3 g)were submitted to different feeding strategies in a recirculation system.Five feeding strategies were tested in subsequent weekly cycles:continuous feeding;skipping one meal a week;suppression of two non-consecutive meals a week;suppression of three non-consecutive meals a week;suppression of four non-consecutive meals a week.Productive performance,feed consumption in the post-restriction period and economic indicators were evaluated through projections and profitability analyses.Compensatory intake occurred in all tested groups,so that the total feed intake(FI)did not differ significantly between them(p>0.05).Moderate food restriction provided a linear increase in the relative gross margin for each treatment with each change in salary level,as well as greater profitability when compared to the respective control group(p<0.05).

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies Using Smart Grids: Study Case on NIPE Building at UNICAMP Campus

In its broadest interpretation, the smart grid vision sees the future of power industry transformed by the introduction of intelligent two-way communications, ubiquitous metering and measurement. This enables much finer control of energy flows and the integration and efficient use of renewable forms of energy, energy efficiency methodologies and technologies, as well as many other advanced technologies, techniques and processes that wouldn’t have been practicable until present. The smart grid vision also enables the creation of more reliable, more robust and more secure power supply infrastructure, and helps optimize the enormous investments required to build and operate the physical infrastructure required. The smart grid promises to revolutionize the electric power business that has been in place for the past 75 years. This work discusses the efficiency, targeted at the consumer units of electricity, with a view to sustainability and potential for technological innovation. The issue is addressed from two perspectives: the systems for generation and power distribution, and the design of a building “smart energy”. Because of the novelty of the subject in our country, the concepts presented and treated throughout this work come from material obtained at events and specialized sites on electric power system in Brazil and worldwide, being accompanied by information and data from NIPE’s building at University of Campinas’s campus case study in which it exemplifies the applicability of the techniques and recommended technologies.

Metrological Analysis of Sunflower Prototype

It is well known that the solar tracking systems can increase the efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) panel by about 30 percent. However, these systems require precise control of their components, mainly of the equipment’s used for the measurement of energy. In this paper, a metrology analysis is conducted, through of the results obtained by Sunflower prototype. The Sunflower is a solar tracking system developed by H. J. Loschi. A tracking system through a microcontrolled timing logic, sending commands to a linear actuator that moves the system. The deductions, based on in research trials, confirms that the Sunflower prototype is more efficient in relation to fixed PV panels, it is possible to observe the difference in the efficiency of 31%, with a variation of ±0.8% (that depends the solar irradiation). The main purpose of this paper is to attest to the quality of the measurements carried out during the performance tests of the Sunflower prototype, evaluating the uncertainty of measurements collected through the measurements equipment, and, introducing methods to minimize uncertainties of measurement equipment in the PV systems.

Interaction between diet and genetics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease”.The authors emphasized the role of diet,especially the interaction with genetics,in promoting the inflam-matory process in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients,focusing on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and the influence of microRNAs.In this editorial,we explore the interaction between genetics,gut microbiota,and diet,in an only way.Furthermore,we provided dietary recommendations for patients with IBD.The Western diet,characterized by a low fiber content and deficiency the micronutrients,impacts short-chain fatty acids production and may be related to the pathogenesis of IBD.On the other hand,the consumption of the Mediter-ranean diet and dietary fibers are associated with reduced risk of IBD flares,particularly in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.According to the dietary guidance from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IOIBD),the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the consumption of saturated,trans,dairy fat,additives,processed foods rich in maltodextrins,and artificial sweeteners containing sucralose or saccharine is recommended to CD patients.For patients with ulcerative colitis,the IOIBD recommends the increased intake of natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and follows the same restrictive recommendations aimed at CD patients,with the possible inclusion of red meats.In conclusion,IBD is a complex and hetero-geneous disease,and future studies are needed to elucidate the influence of epigenetics on diet and microbiota in IBD patients.

Emergency Care for Children and Adolescents after Sexual Violence, in Brazil’s Capital, Brasilia

Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emergency care of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and to determine whether there is any difference in the provision of such services as a function of the victim’s age. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the care received by female children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a capital city, comparing the treatment given to girls under 15 with that given to adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age. The data were extracted from the State Department of Health database between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2016. Results: Children under 15 were much less likely to receive prophylaxis against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B, with the number of adolescent girls treated adequately corresponding to between twice and almost three times the number of children treated prophylactically. Only 10% of girls under 15 received emergency contraception. Conclusion: The lack of standard care established by the Ministry of Health highlights the need for urgent debates both locally and probably throughout the country, as the situation may be similar in other regions of the country.

Microbiota modification by probiotic supplementation reduces colitis associated colon cancer in mice

AIM To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation during the development of an experimental model of colitis associated colon cancer(CAC). METHODS C57 BL/6 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane(10 mg/kg), followed by three cycles of sodium dextran sulphate diluted in water(5% w/v). Probiotic group received daily a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacil us rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Microbiota composition was assessed by 16 Sr RNA Illumina Hi Seq sequencing. Colon samples were collected for histological analysis. Tumor cytokines was assessed by Real Time-PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction); and serum cytokines by Multiplex assay. All tests were two-sided. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Graphs were generated and statistical analysis performed using the software Graph Pad Prism 5.0. The project was approved by the institutional review board committee. RESULTS At day 60 after azoxymethane injection, the mean number of tumours in the probiotic group was 40% lower than that in the control group, and the probiotic group exhibited tumours of smaller size(< 2 mm)(P < 0.05). There was no difference in richness and diversity between groups. However, there was a significant difference in beta diversity in the multidimensional scaling analysis. The abundance of the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Allobaculum, Clostridium XI and Clostridium XVⅢ increased in the probiotic group(P < 0.05). The microbial change was accompanied by reduced colitis, demonstrated by a 46% reduction in the colon inflammatory index; reduced expression of the serum chemokines RANTES and Eotaxin; decreased p-IKK and TNF-α and increased IL-10 expression in the colon. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a potential chemopreventive effect of probiotic on CAC. Probiotic supplementation changes microbiota structure and regulates the inflammatory response, reducing colitis and preventing CAC.

Cytomegalovirus frequency in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis determined by serology, histology, immunohistochemistry and PCR

AIM: To determine cytomegalovirus (CMV) frequency in neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis by serology, histological revision (searching for cytomegalic cells), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to verify the relationships among these methods.METHODS: The study comprised 101 non-consecutive infants submitted for hepatic biopsy between March 1982 and December 2005. Serological results were obtained from the patient's f iles and the other methods were performed on paraffin-embedded liver samples from hepatic biopsies. The following statistical measures were calculated: frequency, sensibility, specif ic positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy.RESULTS: The frequencies of positive results were as follows: serology, 7/64 (11%); histological revision, 0/84; immunohistochemistry, 1/44 (2%), and PCR, 6/77 (8%). Only one patient had positive immunohistochemical fi ndings and a positive PCR. The following statistical measures were calculated between PCR and serology: sensitivity, 33.3%; specificity, 88.89%; positive predictive value, 28.57%; negative predictive value, 90.91%; and accuracy, 82.35%. CONCLUSION: The frequency of positive CMV varied among the tests. Serology presented the highest positive frequency. When compared to PCR, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of serology were low.

Exercise manual for liver disease patients

AIM: To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation.METHODS: Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 made up the intervention group. The control group consisted of 18 men and 5 women, body mass index(BMI) 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD) 18.2 ± 6.1. The intervention group consisted of 11 men and 3 women, BMI 28.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and MELD 18 ± 4.5. The presence or absence of ascites was identified in the first patient evaluation and after three months. We evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure, spirometry, root mean square(RMS) of diaphragm and rectus abdominis, and the quality of life. The exercises were performed daily by patients at home for three months and were supervised at distance monthly. The manual consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, diaphragmatic isometric exercise, Threshold IMT&#174;, lifting upper limbs with a bat and strengthening the abdomen. RESULTS: There was significant difference(P = 0.01) between the first(initial) and the third month(final) MIP in the control group and in the intervention group, but there was no difference(P = 0.45) between the groups.The RMS of the diaphragm was lower(P = 0.001) and the functional capacity was higher(P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared to the control. The general health and mental health domains received higher scores after three months in the control group(P = 0.01) and the intervention group(P = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. The comparison between the presence of initial ascites with the presence of ascites was performed after three months in the control group(P = 0.083) and intervention group(P = 0.31). There was no significant difference, in relation to the presence of ascites after three months between groups(P = 0.21). In the intervention group, patients with ascites at the end of the time period had decreased scores on the social aspects SF-36 domain(P = 0.023) compared to those who had no ascites. CONCLUSION: The proposed exercises provide an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength and improve functional capacity, consequently bettering the quality of life of liver disease patients.