Search Results (221)

This study presents a comprehensive computational analysis of flow rate efficiency during uranium extraction via the In Situ Recovery method. Using field data from a deposit located in Southern Kazakhstan, a series of mathematical models were developed to evaluate the distribution and balance of leaching solution. A reactive transport model incorporating uranium dissolution kinetics and acid–rock interactions were utilized to assess the accuracy of both traditional and proposed methods. The results reveal a significant spatial imbalance in sulfuric acid distribution, with up to 239.1 tons of acid migrating beyond the block boundaries. To reduce computational demands while maintaining predictive accuracy, two alternative methods, a streamline-based and a trajectory-based approach were proposed and verified. The streamline method showed close agreement with reactive transport modeling and was able to effectively identify the presence of intra-block reagent imbalance. The trajectory-based method provided detailed insight into flow dynamics but tended to overestimate acid overflow outside the block. Both alternative methods outperformed the conventional approach in terms of accuracy by accounting for geological heterogeneity and well spacing. The proposed methods have significantly lower computational costs, as they do not require solving complex systems of partial differential equations involved in reactive transport simulations. The proposed approaches can be used to analyze the efficiency of mineral In Situ Recovery at both the design and operational stages, as well as to determine optimal production regimes for reducing economic expenditures in a timely manner. Full article

During the process of oil and gas drilling, due to the existence of pores or micro-cracks, drilling fluid is prone to invade the formation. Under the action of hydration expansion of clay in the formation and liquid pressure, wellbore instability occurs. In order to reduce the wellbore instability caused by drilling fluid intrusion into the formation, this study proposed a method of forming a dynamic hydrogen bond cross-linked network weak gel structure with modified nano-silica and P(AM-AAC). The plugging performance of the drilling fluid and the performance of inhibiting the hydration of shale were evaluated through various experimental methods. The results show that the gel composite system (GCS) effectively optimizes the plugging performance of drilling fluid. The 1% GCS can reduce the linear expansion rate of cuttings to 14.8% and increase the recovery rate of cuttings to 96.7%, and its hydration inhibition effect is better than that of KCl and polyamines. The dynamic cross-linked network structure can significantly increase the viscosity of drilling fluid. Meanwhile, by taking advantage of the liquid-phase viscosity effect and the physical blocking effect, the loss of drilling fluid can be significantly reduced. Mechanism studies conducted using zeta potential measurement, SEM analysis, contact angle measurement and capillary force assessment have shown that modified nano-silica stabilizes the wellbore by physically blocking the nano-pores of shale and changing the wettability of the shale surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic when the contact angle exceeds 60°, thereby reducing capillary force and surface free energy. Meanwhile, the dynamic cross-linked network can reduce the seepage of free water into the formation, thereby significantly lowering the fluid loss of the drilling fluid. This research provides new insights into improving the stability of the wellbore in drilling fluids. Full article

Background and Objectives: Implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasingly performed in elderly and comorbid patients, for whom minimizing perioperative complications—including pain and systemic drug use—is critical. Traditional local infiltration often provides insufficient analgesia. The ultrasound-guided PECS II block, an interfascial regional technique, offers promising analgesic benefits in thoracic wall procedures but remains underutilized in cardiac electrophysiology. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, controlled, non-randomized clinical study including 106 patients undergoing de novo CIED implantation. Patients were assigned to receive either a PECS II block (n = 53) or standard lidocaine-based local anesthesia (n = 53). Pain intensity was assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS) intraoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the need for rescue analgesia, procedural duration, length of hospitalization, and patient satisfaction. Results: Patients in the PECS II group reported significantly lower NRS scores at all time points (mean intraoperative score: 2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 5.7 ± 1.6, p < 0.001; at 1 h: 2.5 ± 1.5 vs. 6.1 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). Rescue analgesia (metamizole sodium) was required in only four PECS II patients (7.5%) vs. 100% in the control group within 1 h. Hospital stay and procedural time were also modestly reduced in the PECS II group. Patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the intervention group. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided PECS II block significantly reduces perioperative pain and the need for additional analgesia during CIED implantation, offering an effective, safe, and opioid-sparing alternative to conventional local infiltration. Its integration into clinical protocols for device implantation may enhance procedural comfort and recovery. Full article

Post-craniotomy pain is common yet often sub-optimally managed because systemic opioids can obscure postoperative neurologic examinations. The superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) has, therefore, emerged as a targeted regional anesthesia option for occipital craniotomies. The SCPB targets the C2–C4 nerves to anesthetize the occipital scalp region, covering the lesser occipital nerve territory that lies within typical posterior scalp incisions. Clinical evidence shows the block is effective in reducing acute postoperative pain after occipital craniotomy and diminishes opioid requirements. Studies have demonstrated successful and long-lasting analgesia, reductions in 24-h opioid consumption, and a lower incidence of severe pain. Moreover, the technique exhibits a low complication rate and is safer than a deep cervical plexus block because the injection remains superficial and avoids critical vascular and neural structures. When delivered under ultrasound guidance, major adverse events are exceedingly rare. By reducing opioid use, the SCPB can help reduce postoperative complications, allowing earlier neurological assessments and fewer opioid-related side effects. Incorporation of the SCPB into multimodal analgesia regimens can, therefore, accelerate postoperative recovery by providing regionally focused, opioid-sparing pain control without clinically significant sedation. Overall, current data support the SCPB as a dependable, well-tolerated, and clinically practical approach for managing post-craniotomy pain in patients undergoing occipital approaches. In this narrative review, we will discuss the mechanism of action and anatomy, the clinical application, safety and tolerability, patient outcomes, and emerging future directions of the superficial cervical plexus block and how it mitigates post-occipital craniotomy pain. Full article

Four entire male sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) belonging to the same colony were presented for elective orchiectomy. After clinical examination, dexmedetomidine (120 μg/kg) in combination with ketamine (5 mg/kg) were administered subcutaneously (SC). Once righting and pedal withdrawal reflexes were lost, ringer lactate solution, enrofloxacin and meloxicam were administered SC and a bilateral intratesticular block with lidocaine 0.25% was performed. Heart, respiratory rates and pulse oximetry values were recorded every minute. Onset of sedation, additional use of isoflurane, duration of anaesthesia, duration of surgery, time of recovery after atipamezole administration, quality of recovery and time of food intake were recorded. Postoperative assessment (posture, level of activity, vocalisation, response to manipulation, attention to the surgical wound) was performed hourly until discharge, five hours after surgery. Dexmedetomidine in combination with ketamine provided adequate short-lasting anaesthesia for castration in 3 out of 4 sugar gliders. One sugar glider needed additional isoflurane administration to perform orchiectomy. No perioperative additional analgesia was needed in any sugar glider. Full article

In the Kelameili volcanic gas reservoir, primary hydraulic fracturing treatments in some wells take place on a limited scale, resulting in a rapid decline in production post stimulation and necessitating re-fracturing operations. However, prolonged production has led to a significant evolution in the in situ stress field, which complicates the design of re-fracturing parameters. To address this, this study adopts an integrated geology–engineering approach to develop a formation-specific geomechanical model, using rock mechanical test results and well-log inversion to reconstruct the reservoir’s initial stress field. The dynamic stress field simulations and re-fracturing parameter optimization were performed for Block Dixi-14. The results show that stress superposition effects induced by multiple fracturing stages and injection–production cycles have significantly altered the current in situ stress distribution. For Well K6, the optimized re-fracturing parameters comprised a pump rate of 12 m³/min, total fluid volume of 1200 m³, prepad fluid ratio of 50–60%, and proppant volume of 75 m³, and the daily gas production increased by 56% correspondingly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the optimized re-fracturing design. This study not only provides a more realistic simulation framework for fracturing volcanic rock gas reservoirs but also offers a scientific basis for fracture design optimization and enhanced gas recovery. The geology–engineering integrated methodology enables the accurate prediction and assessment of dynamic stress field evolution during fracturing, thereby guiding field operations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Radical cystectomy performed via midline laparotomy is associated with substantial postoperative pain, frequently necessitating a high opioid consumption, which may impair immune function and delay recovery. The rectus sheath block (RSB) is widely used as part of multimodal analgesia to enhance postoperative pain control; however, the duration of analgesia is limited when using single-injection techniques. Dexamethasone has increasingly been used as a perineural adjuvant to prolong the effects of peripheral nerve blocks and enhance analgesia. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding perineural dexamethasone to an RSB improves analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing a radical cystectomy. Methods: Fifty-two adult patients scheduled for radical cystectomy were randomly assigned to receive an ultrasound-guided bilateral RSB with either 0.25% ropivacaine alone or 0.25% ropivacaine combined with 4 mg dexamethasone per side after skin closure. Postoperative pain was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h following surgery. Cumulative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) in terms of fentanyl consumption and the incidence of rebound pain—defined as an increase in the NRS from ≤3 to ≥7 within 24 h after the block administration—were also recorded. Results: The dexamethasone group exhibited significantly reduced cumulative fentanyl consumption. Pain scores were consistently lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the ropivacaine-only group at all time points except 3 h postoperatively. The incidence of rebound pain was also substantially lower in the dexamethasone group. Conclusions: Perineural dexamethasone as an adjuvant to an RSB provides effective and prolonged analgesia, reduces opioid requirements, and lowers rebound pain incidence in patients undergoing a radical cystectomy. Full article

To investigate the energy conduction behavior of polymer gel profile control and flooding in low-permeability reservoirs, a parallel dual-tube displacement experiment was conducted to simulate reservoirs with different permeability ratios. Injection schemes included constant rates from 0.40 to 1.20 mL/min and dynamic injection from 1.20 to 0.40 mL/min. Pressure monitoring and shunt analysis were used to evaluate profile control and recovery performance. The results show that polymer gel preferentially enters high-permeability layers, transmitting pressure more rapidly than in low-permeability zones. At 1.20 mL/min, pressure onset at 90 cm in the high-permeability layer occurs earlier than in the low-permeability layer. Higher injection rates accelerate pressure buildup. At 0.80 mL/min, permeability contrast is minimized, achieving a 22.96% recovery rate in low-permeability layers. The combination effect of 1.2–0.4 mL/min is the best in dynamic injection, with the difference in shunt ratio of 9.6% and the recovery rate of low permeability layer increased to 31.23%. Polymer gel improves oil recovery by blocking high-permeability channels, expanding the swept volume, and utilizing viscoelastic properties. Full article

Background and Objectives: Bell’s palsy, characterized by acute idiopathic facial nerve paralysis, exhibits variable recovery outcomes influenced by treatment timing, modality, and patient comorbidities. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of corticosteroid-based treatment (Ear, Nose, and Throat [ENT]), nerve blocks/physical therapy (Pain Medicine), and acupuncture/herbal medicine (Traditional Korean Medicine [KM]) and identify predictors of recovery and recurrence. This retrospective cohort study leverages South Korea’s pluralistic healthcare system, where patients choose specialties, to provide novel insights into departmental treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 600 patients treated within 72 h of Bell’s palsy onset (2010–2024) at Wonkwang University Hospital, South Korea, using propensity score matching (PSM) (1:1:1) for age, sex, comorbidities, and initial House–Brackmann (HB) grade. The primary outcome was complete recovery (HB grade I) at 6 months; secondary outcomes included recovery time, recurrence, complications, and patient satisfaction. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors. Results: The ENT group achieved the highest complete recovery rate (87.5%, phi = 0.18) versus Pain Medicine (74.0%) and KM (69.5%) (p < 0.001), with the shortest recovery time (4 weeks, Cohen’s d = 0.65 vs. KM). Synkinesis was lowest in the ENT group (6.0%). ENT treatment (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.29–2.37) and early corticosteroid application (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.42–2.68) predicted recovery. Hypertension (OR: 4.40), hyperlipidemia (OR: 8.20), and diabetes (OR: 1.40) increased recurrence risk. Subgroup analyses showed that ENT treatment was most effective for severe cases (HB grade IV: 90% recovery vs. 65% in KM, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Corticosteroid-based treatment (ENT) yielded superior recovery outcomes. Comorbidity management is critical for recurrence prevention. Early ENT referral and integrated care models are recommended to optimize outcomes in diverse healthcare settings. Full article

This study investigates the feasibility and optimization of Expanding Solvent Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (ES-SAGD) in deep extra-heavy oil reservoirs, with a focus on the Shu 1-38-32 block in the Liaohe Basin. A modified theoretical model that accounts for steam quality reduction with increasing reservoir depth was applied to evaluate SAGD performance. The results demonstrate that declining steam quality at greater burial depths significantly reduces thermal efficiency, the oil–steam ratio (OSR), and overall recovery in conventional SAGD operations. To overcome these challenges, numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the effect of hexane co-injection in ES-SAGD. A 3 vol% hexane concentration was found to improve oil recovery by 17.3%, increase the peak oil production rate by 36.5%, and raise the cumulative oil–steam ratio from 0.137 to 0.218 compared to conventional SAGD. Sensitivity analyses further revealed that optimal performance is achieved with cyclic injection during the horizontal expansion stage and chamber pressures maintained above 3 MPa. Field-scale forecasting based on five SAGD well pairs showed that the proposed ES-SAGD configuration could enhance the cumulative recovery factor from 28.7% to 63.3% over seven years. These findings clarify the fundamental constraints imposed by steam quality in deep reservoirs and provide practical strategies for optimizing solvent-assisted SAGD operations under such conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sternal pain after cardiac surgery results in considerable discomfort and may contribute to the development of chronic postoperative sternal pain syndrome. Parasternal intercostal plane blocks have been shown to improve postoperative sternal pain and can be an essential part of enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS). This cohort study evaluated the postoperative impact of a single-shot deep parasternal intercostal plane block (PIPB) on the requirement of analgesic medication and pain sensation up to 48 h. Methods: This retrospective single-center analysis evaluates the postoperative acute pain in 157 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with median sternotomy. The additive analgesic effects of deep PIPB (38 patients) were compared to a group with standard therapy but without PIPB (119 patients). To strengthen the findings, a propensity score matching analysis was performed. Outcomes included the consumption of emergency pain agents (piritramide), the requirement of the total morphine equivalent (ME), time to extubation, and ICU length of stay. Furthermore, we examined pain sensation with evaluation by using the behavioral pain score (BPS) and numeric rating score (NRS) up to 48 h after extubation. Results: The deep PIPB reduced the piritramide administration 24 h and 48 h after OPCAB surgery. Moreover, the requirement of ME was 24 h and 48 h after bypass surgery also significantly decreased. The one-to-one propensity score matching confirmed our primary findings and showed a decreased requirement for intravenous agents. Additionally, we observed a reduced time for extubation and a decreased NRS rating. However, no significant changes were observed in ICU length of stay, incidence of nausea, and vomiting. Conclusions: Our data suggests that an ultrasound-guided single-shot deep PIPB can be a valuable tool for a multimodal analgesic protocol on patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. Full article

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of ciprofloxacin (CPX) in milk samples. The device was fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using a screen-printing technique with carbon-based conductive ink. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were incorporated to enhance aptamer immobilization and facilitate electron transfer at the electrode surface. The sensor’s analytical performance was optimized by adjusting key parameters, including AuNP volume, DNA aptamer concentration, and incubation times for both the aptamer and the blocking agent (6-mercapto-1-hexanol, MCH). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements demonstrated a linear response ranging from 10 to 50 nmol L⁻¹ and a low detection limit of 3.0 nmol L⁻¹. When applied to real milk samples, the method achieved high recovery rates (101.4–106.7%) with a relative standard deviation below 3.1%, confirming its robustness. This disposable and cost-effective aptasensor represents a promising tool for food safety monitoring, with potential for adaptation to detect other pharmaceutical residues in dairy products. Full article

Effective postoperative pain management remains a major clinical challenge in spinal surgery, with poorly controlled pain affecting up to 50% of patients and contributing to delayed mobilization, prolonged hospitalization, and risk of chronic postsurgical pain. This review synthesizes current and emerging strategies in postoperative spinal pain management, tracing the evolution from opioid-centric paradigms to individualized, multimodal approaches. Multimodal analgesia (MMA) has become the cornerstone of contemporary care, combining pharmacologic agents, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and gabapentinoids, with regional anesthesia techniques, including erector spinae plane blocks and liposomal bupivacaine. Adjunctive nonpharmacologic modalities like early mobilization, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions further optimize recovery and address the biopsychosocial dimensions of pain. For patients with refractory pain, neuromodulation techniques such as spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation offer promising results. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), biomarker discovery, and nanotechnology are poised to enhance personalized pain protocols through predictive modeling and targeted drug delivery. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, which integrate many of these strategies, have been shown to reduce opioid use, hospital length of stay, and complication rates. Nevertheless, variability in implementation and the need for individualized protocols remain key challenges. Future directions include AI-guided analytics, regenerative therapies, and expanded research on long-term functional outcomes. This review provides an evidence-based framework for pain control following spinal surgery, emphasizing integration of multimodal and innovative approaches tailored to diverse patient populations. Full article

Natural rubber skim latex is commonly discarded as waste or turned into skim natural rubber products such as skim crepe and skim blocks. It is challenging to retrieve all residual rubbers in skim latex since it has a very low rubber content and many non-rubber components like protein. Manufacturers conventionally utilize concentrated sulfuric acid as a coagulant. This method generates many effluents and hazardous pollutants that negatively impact the environment. This work presents an innovative method for enhancing the skim latex’s value by employing an ultrafiltration membrane. This study aims to establish a hydrophilic PVDF-TiO₂ mixed-matrix membrane. The skim latex was processed through a membrane-based ultrafiltration process, which yielded two products: skim latex concentrate and skim serum. Skim latex deposits that cause fouling on the membrane surface can be identified by SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis. The PVDF–PVP-TiO₂ mixed-matrix membrane generated the maximum skim serum flux of 12.72 L/m²h in contrast to the PVDF pure membranes, which showed a lower flux of 8.14 L/m²h. CHNS analysis shows that a greater amount of nitrogen, which is indicative of the protein composition, was successfully extracted by the membrane separation process. These particles may adhere to the membrane surface during filtration, obstructing or decreasing the number of fluid flow channels. The deposition reduces the effective size of membrane pores, leading to a decline in flux rate. The hydrophilic PVDF-TiO₂ mixed-matrix membrane developed in this study shows strong potential for application in the latex industry, specifically for treating natural rubber skim latex, a challenging by-product known for its high fouling potential. This innovative ultrafiltration approach offers a promising method to enhance the value of skim latex by enabling more efficient separation and recovery. Full article

Deep coalbed methane (CBM) is rich in resources and is an important replacement resource for tight gas in China. Accurate prediction of post-fracture production and dynamic change characteristics of fractured wells of partial CBM is of great significance in predicting the final recovery rate. In terms of predicting time-series production, the problem one encounters is low prediction accuracy and poor generalisation ability under limited sample conditions. In this paper, we propose a hybrid deep neural network (AT-GRU-MTL) production prediction model based on the combination of an attention mechanism gated recurrent neural network (GRU) and multi-task learning (MTL), where the AT-GRU is responsible for capturing the nonlinear pattern of the production change, while introducing an MTL method that includes a cross-stitch network (CSN) and a weighted loss using homoskedasticity uncertainty to automatically determine the degree of sharing between multiple tasks and the weighting ratio of the total loss function. The model is applied to several typical deep CBM fracturing wells in China, and the accuracy of gas production prediction reaches 90%, while the accuracy of water production prediction is 68%. The experimental results show that, for the blocks with a very large difference in the order of magnitude of the gas and water production, it is very easy for a certain small order of magnitude to be suppressed from learning during the two-way multi-task learning process, which leads to deterioration of its prediction effect; at the same time, the adaptability of the model is evaluated, and it is found that the model is more advantageous for the wells that have been produced for approximately one year. Meanwhile, the evaluation of the model adaptability shows that the model is more dominant in the prediction of wells with production of about one and a half years. Based on the two test wells with shorter (380 days) and longer (709 days) spans, the results indicate that the model may have insufficient sensitivity to the sudden change of the ratio of gas to water and the failure of the dynamic generalisation of the matrix shrinkage–desorption coupling, and the introduction of physical constraints (such as bottomhole flow pressure, etc.) or the division of the data into the production stages may be attempted to deal with the case subsequently. The research results in this paper provide a theoretical basis for dynamic production prediction and analysis in oil and gas field sites. Full article